The Illinois Credit Union Foundation (ICUF) is dedicated to the credit unions of Illinois and the work of financial well-being for all. Since its inception in 1978, ICU Foundation has invested over $4 million in credit unions statewide to promote the self-help ideals of the credit union movement. This week, ICU Foundation announced several changes to the board. “The Foundation is fortunate to attract an incredible group of board members who are dedicated to our mission,” said Melanie Murphy, ICU Foundation Executive Director.
The ICU Foundation welcomes our newest board member, Susan Toalson, Chief Development Officer at University of Illinois Community CU. We are also pleased to welcome the new board officers: Chair - Lou Bicanic, CEO, Midwest Members CU; Vice-Chair – Michelle Balog, Executive Vice President & General Counsel, NuMark CU; Secretary/Treasurer – Kerriann Mills, Vice President, General Counsel, BCU.
Thank you to Matt McCombs, CEO, Vibrant CU, who leaves the board after six years as a member. We recognize the impactful work of John Fiore, Board Member at Consumers CU, for finishing his second term as Board Chair. We are grateful for their dedication to the ICU Foundation and the credit unions of Illinois.
“I am honored to serve the foundation and want to thank our outgoing chair, John Fiore who celebrates 35 years and counting as a board member,” said Lou Bicanic, ICU Foundation Chair. “Thank you to Matt McCombs, Vibrant CU, for 6 years on the foundation board.”
The ICU Foundation strives to help credit unions thrive in Illinois. In 2022, much of the ICU Foundation’s work will focus on DEI, financial well-being for all, and youth financial literacy. The Lead Like an Ally Program, aimed at diversity, equity, and inclusion, will be renewed with special emphasis placed on feedback from credit union participants from our 2021 program. Our recently created ICUF Financial Health Task Force will collaborate on action plans for credit unions to approach financial well-being for all; and the ICU Foundation will again make the Bite of Reality App available for all ICUL affiliated credit unions to use within their teen financial reality fairs.