Filene Research Institute names Andrew Downin managing director of research
Downin will manage the think tank’s research pipeline and Centers of Excellence
MADISON, WI (September 20, 2016) — Downin joined team Filene in 2013 as director of innovation, where he led the prestigious i3 program and helped establish Filene’s incubators, including the Financial Empowerment Incubator where solutions designed to make financial services available to all people are tested for impact and scalability.
“Andrew was instrumental in securing grant funding and furthering our work to better serve underbanked consumers,” said George Hofheimer, chief of research for Filene. “His analytical mind and inquisitive nature paired with his deep knowledge of credit unions will help ensure we continue to produce research that helps us all think about the future in compelling and creative ways.”
Prior to joining Filene, Downin led product development for SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union in Santa Ana, Calif. He has nearly 20 years executive marketing, product development and finance experience at several credit unions throughout Southern California and is a former Filene i3 innovator.
He graduated first in his MBA class at Pepperdine University and received his undergraduate degree in Accounting from the University of Arizona. Downin also is a certified public accountant.
“During my years working for credit unions I would anxiously await the latest Filene research, digging into it as soon as the reports were published. Now I’m thrilled to lead Filene’s research initiatives, helping credit unions connect our insights with their business challenges in compelling new ways that go beyond the white paper,” Downin remarked.
Filene is now accepting applications for a new managing director of innovation. Those interested in advancing Filene’s ongoing commitment to innovation as a key way for credit unions to respond to a changing world while helping consumers thrive, should apply at www.filene.org/find-out-more/jobs.
Downin’s responsibilities as managing director of research will formally begin October 31, 2016.
About Filene Research Institute
Filene Research Institute strengthens organizations through innovative research and incubation to improve consumer financial well-being. As an independent cooperative finance think tank, Filene’s membership network connects a community of leaders and bright minds to change lives through innovation, truth and cooperation. In addition to delivering cutting-edge, actionable academic research, Filene also provides incubators to test and scale solutions, events to spark organizations into action and advisory services to help accelerate and implement innovation. For more information, visit filene.org and @fileneresearch.
