2023 Credit Union Hero of the Year
Amanda Merz
SAFE CU - Folsom, CA
3 pillars of philanthropy
The readers of Credit Union Magazine have selected Amanda Merz, community impact manager at $4.6 billion asset SAFE Credit Union in Folsom, Calif., as the 2023 Credit Union Hero of the Year.
Past Winners
2022: Mary Ann Pusateri - Partnership Financial CU - Morton Grove, IL
2021: Cheryl Deborde - Members Choice CU - Ashland, KY
2020: Margaret Delmonico - PSECU - Harrisburg, PA
2019: Harlene Johnson - Light Commerce Credit Union, Houston, TX
2018: Tom McWilliams - Mississippi Credit Union Association
2017: James Schenck - Pentagon Federal CU, Tysons, VA
2016: Steven Post - VSECU - Montpelier, VT
2015: Gail Lewis - 121 Financial CU, Jacksonville, FL
2014: Joni Senkpeil - Director of Small CU Development, Illinois CU League
2013: Warren Morrow - Founder & CEO, Coopera Consulting
2022: Mary Ann Pusateri - Partnership Financial CU - Morton Grove, IL
2021: Cheryl Deborde - Members Choice CU - Ashland, KY
2020: Margaret Delmonico - PSECU - Harrisburg, PA
2019: Harlene Johnson - Light Commerce Credit Union, Houston, TX
2018: Tom McWilliams - Mississippi Credit Union Association
2017: James Schenck - Pentagon Federal CU, Tysons, VA
2016: Steven Post - VSECU, Montpelier, VT
2015: Gail Lewis - 121 Financial CU, Jacksonville, FL
2014: Joni Senkpeil - Director of Small CU Development, Illinois CU League
2013: Warren Morrow - Founder & CEO, Coopera Consulting
2012: Ron Kase - Landmark CU, New Berlin, WI
2011: Maurice Smith - Local Government Federal CU, Raleigh, NC
2010: Vic Thate - FAA CU, Oklahoma City, OK
2009: Cathie Tierney - Community First CU, Appleton, WI
2008: Lynda Milton - Houston Teamsters FCU, Houston, TX
The 2023 Nominees
Amanda Merz
SAFE CU - Folsom, CA
3 pillars of philanthropy
Michael Ray
PAHO/WHO FCU - Washington, D.C.
Fostering good decisions
Amanda Swan
Numerica CU - Spokane, WA
A passion for community building
Joanne Todd
Northeast Family FCU - Manchester, CT
Worldwide education
Know someone who deserves the title of Credit Union Hero? Click here to nominate them.
Rock Stars 2023
Credit Union Rock Stars are outstanding credit union professionals and directors from a wide range of disciplines who inspire and innovate to advance the missions of their credit unions. The 25 members of the 11th class of Rock Stars were selected for their exceptional creativity, innovation, and passion.