First Harvest Credit Union welcomes new leadership
New Jersey’s Second-Largest Credit Union Appoints Veteran Credit Union Movement Leaders to Management Team
DEPTFORD, NJ (September 6, 2023) — First Harvest Credit Union (“First Harvest”), New Jersey’s second-largest credit union by membership, has welcomed three new members to its leadership team. With more than $450 million in assets, serving 700 Sponsored Employee Groups and 44,000 members, First Harvest has bolstered its management as it seeks to grow in the New Jersey and Pennsylvania regions it serves.
Robyn Oresto, MBA has joined First Harvest as Executive Vice President & Chief Financial & Compliance Officer, and will oversee Finance, Accounting, Asset Recovery/Collections and Compliance. Oresto spent 15 years as Chief Financial Officer at $180 million Aspire Federal Credit Union in New Jersey. There, she oversaw finance, ALM, accounting, asset recovery, and audit/compliance areas and was a leader in the credit union’s efforts to enhance digital delivery. She also served as Controller at $3.9 billion Municipal Credit Union in New York City for three years, and was part of the management team that assumed control of the credit union after it was in NCUA receivership. There, she built out a high-performing accounting team and oversaw efforts to implement controls and significantly reduce that credit union’s NCUA findings and helped return them to strong financial performance. “Robyn has a track record of enhancing balance sheets, improving ALM, building CUSOs, remediating regulatory issues, and most importantly, serving as a great mentor and teacher her teams,” stated Mike Dinneen, President & CEO of First Harvest. “She has spent her entire career working for New Jersey and New York credit unions and understands our marketplace well. As we strive to achieve financial and regulatory excellence, Robyn is the ideal leader to help lead us to that level. Oresto holds a BS in Accounting and an MBA from Georgian Court University.
Fawn Martin, MBA, PMP has joined First Harvest as Senior Vice President, Strategy and Project Management. She will oversee Strategic Planning, Marketing, Administration, and Vendor Management. Martin has held progressive project management leadership roles at $4.6 billion American Heritage Credit Union and $5.6 billion Citadel Credit Union prior to joining First Harvest. At American Heritage, she built out the credit union’s Strategic Steering Committee, instituted their Project Management Department and process. She was also a founding member of American Heritage Credit Union’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. At Citadel, she served as a project manager for their major core conversion project. “As we chart a course for sustained growth and operational excellence, Fawn’s experience in leading and executing major strategic projects for large credit unions will serve us well,” stated Dinneen. “Her expertise in building cross-functional support, and her track record of executing highly-visible member and employee experience initiatives will be appreciated by our members and employees alike.” Martin holds a BA from Millersville University, an MBA from University of Phoenix, a Project Management Certification from Villanova University, and is a certified Project Management Professional from the Project Management Institute.
Suphaphone (Susie) Sounkongsee has joined First Harvest as Vice President of Marketing. In her role, she will oversee brand, advertising, public relations, media relations, social media and the credit union’s website, as well as internal communications. Sounkongsee spent more than 12 years as Marketing Director at $80 million Viriva Community Credit Union, which operated in Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery and Delaware Counties in Pennsylvania, and subsequently as Marketing Supervisor at $4.6 billion American Heritage Credit Union. “Susie’s work in advertising, marketing, social media, public relations and graphic design has been recognized nationally and locally for its success,” stated Dinneen. “As we begin to articulate First Harvest’s value proposition to a greater audience, Susie is the ideal individual to help take the First Harvest brand to the next level.” Sounkongsee’s work contributed to being the recipient of CUNA Marketing & Business Development Diamond Awards, CrossStates MIC Awards, Philadelphia Direct Marketing Association Benny Awards, and Philadelphia Public Relations Society Pepperpot Awards. Sounkongsee holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Temple University.
“Collectively, our new leaders have spent their careers in the local credit union movement, building programs and platforms that have created outstanding member experiences,” said Dinneen. “In addition to being well-regarded by their peers in the credit union movement, they are solid additions to our already-strong leadership team and our entire First Harvest family.”
About First Harvest Credit Union
Established in 1940, First Harvest Credit Union is a low income-designated credit union headquartered in Deptford, NJ. With more than $450 million in assets, the credit union serves more than 46,000 members and 700 workplaces and operates full-service locations in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, and Gloucester Counties in New Jersey, and Lycoming County in Pennsylvania. The credit union offers a full suite of saving, spending, borrowing and financial wellness solutions for consumers, institutions and businesses. For more information about First Harvest Credit Union, visit FirstHarvestCU.com.
