CUNA announced election results for its Board of Directors Executive Committee Members. Lisa Ginter, CEO of $4.6 billion asset CommunityAmerica Credit Union in Lenexa, Kan., was elected as the CUNA Board Chair. Ginter shared her first remarks as board chair Tuesday in a video played at the CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) in Washington, D.C.

“It’s an honor to chair CUNA’s Board at a time when the credit union movement is looking to build on great momentum, and I look forward to continued work with CUNA, Leagues, and credit unions to make good on our commitment to improve financial well-being,” Ginter said. “Our combination of steadfast focus on our members and determination to advance the communities we serve means credit unions have plenty to work for in the next year and beyond.”

Ginter’s video also introduced Kiona Sinks, a CommunityAmerica member who said she grew up not knowing the true meaning of credit, insurance, savings, and more.

Sinks told her story on video, then joined CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle on stage for a conversation about what the credit union difference has meant to her, especially after hearing “no” for so long.

“One of our great Kansas City slogans is ‘unbelievable things happen to unbelievable people,’ and I feel very blessed to be one of the people who have received those services,” she said. “I think back to those moments of feeling very discouraged, very hopeless, and to see where I am today because a credit union gave me an opportunity is just incredible.”

Sinks now works as the community engagement manager at the Negro League Baseball Museum and recently got her MBA degree.

“I can’t thank Lisa enough for opening up her CommunityAmerica family to me. It means a lot and I wouldn’t be here without them and the services they extended my way. It changed my life,” she said.

Ginter is the 52nd CUNA Board Chair and the sixth female chair.

The full CUNA Board Executive Committee for 2023-24 is:

• Lisa Ginter, president/CEO, CommunityAmerica Credit Union, chair
• Caroline Willard, president/CEO, Cornerstone League, vice chair
• Patrick Pierce, president/CEO, City & County Credit Union, secretary
• Brian Best, president/CEO, GTE Financial Credit Union, treasurer
• Jim Morrell, president/CEO, Peninsula Credit Union, at-large Executive Committee member

The Executive Committee Members steer CUNA throughout the year. They are supported by directors that represent the diversity of the credit union movement. The newly elected members will serve through the 2024 Annual General Meeting.