The Illinois Credit Union Foundation (ICUF) is dedicated to supporting Illinois credit unions in their efforts to provide financial well-being for all. Over the past 43 years, the ICU Foundation has invested more than $4.6 million in Illinois credit unions in keeping with the mission of promoting the self-help ideals of the credit union movement. The service and vision of ICUF Board members has been instrumental to the success of Foundation initiatives. The Illinois Credit Union Foundation has announced a number of changes this week, acknowledging six new directors and committee members and three departing board members.
Ann Dubie of NuMark CU, Tom Lex of Heartland CU, and Thor Dolan Illinois Community CU have departed after serving six years, nine years, and three years respectively. Working alongside other ICUF directors, Ann, Tom, and Thor were instrumental in delivering many new initiatives and programs for Illinois credit unions, including the recent COVID-19 grant program that benefitted over 100 credit unions. ICU Foundation Executive Director Melanie Murphy said, “I am grateful for the years of service Ann, Tom, and Thor have given to the Foundation as well as for the ongoing contributions of those remaining.”
The Illinois Credit Union Foundation also welcomed six new credit union executives to its board and committees. Incoming Board Members include Michelle Balog, NuMark CU, Wendy Erhart, Scott CU, Kerriann Mills, BCU, and Sarah Vega, former NCUA Executive. The Illinois Credit Union Foundation will also welcome Incoming Fundraising Committee Members, Mark Dietrich, United Community CU and Amber Scott, 1st MidAmerica CU.
“I’m thrilled to welcome our new board and committee members and appreciate their willingness to volunteer their talents and time. The Foundation board’s efforts are critical in supporting Illinois credit unions and the difference they make in their communities,” said Murphy.
The new board and committee members join ICUF incumbents John Fiore (Consumers CU), Lou Bicanic (Midwest Members CU), Geraldine Burek (South Division CU), John Hansen (Rockford Bell CU), Mike Lee (KCT CU), Matt McCombs (Vibrant CU), and Tom Pierce (Access CU). Elected to the ICUF Executive Committee were John Fiore to Chair, Lou Bicanic to Vice-Chair, and Michelle Balog to Secretary/Treasurer.
“We are excited to work with new board and committee members as the ICU Foundation embarks on a journey centered on financial health to support financial wellbeing for all through credit unions,” said John Fiore, ICU Foundation Board Chair. “Thank you to Ann, Tom, and Thor. We wish them the best in the future.”
During 2020, the ICU Foundation quickly focused its resources to help credits unions adapt to the pandemic through grants to create safe and healthy environments for staff and members and by guiding more than 100 credit union staff and volunteers through the process of becoming certified financial counselors. In 2021, the ICU Foundation will continue to work with credit unions to adjust as a new operating environment emerges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.