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Minnesota Credit Union advocates inducted into CU House Hall of Leaders

ST. PAUL, MN (March 7, 2023) — The Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN), the state’s trade association for credit unions, is pleased to announce that four Minnesotans were inducted into the 2023 Credit Union House Hall of Leaders in Washington D.C. last week. Inductees exemplify the “people helping people” philosophy and have demonstrated a commitment to inspiring others in the credit union movement.

The Credit Union House Hall of Leaders recognizes credit union professionals and volunteers whose commitment to service has inspired others in the credit union movement. The inductees from Minnesota are:

Dave Boden has been with Hiway for over 19 years, serving as the credit union’s President/CEO since 2013. Under Boden, Hiway has experienced significant growth in both assets and members. During his tenure, Boden has overseen many key projects, including the launch of the Hiway Foundation, branch network expansion, rebranding and several critical technology initiatives.

He’s also played a leading role in developing and supporting Hiway’s award-winning DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Committee, HYPE (Hiway’s Young Professionals) and Hiway GPS (Hiway’s service standards). Dave serves on the MnCUN Board of Directors and previously served as chair of the MnCUN’s Political Involvement Committee

Mark Cummins has served as the President & CEO of the Minnesota Credit Union Network for the past 16 years. Under Cummins’ leadership, several programs have been established in recent years for member credit unions including WINcentive prize-linked savings, the Minnesota Credit Union Employee Benefits Plan and CU Forward Day. Minnesota was also the first state to launch the national Credit Union Consumer Awareness Initiative in 2019 and since then, has seen both increased average membership growth and consumer familiarity of credit unions.

In addition to his work in Minnesota, Cummins has served the American Association of Credit Union Leagues as Board Chair, the CUNA Executive Committee, the Board of Directors of CUNA Strategic Services, and the National Advocacy Committee. He has served on CUNA’s World Affairs Committee and was honored with the 2022 Farley Leadership Award.

Mary Hansen has been CEO of Mayo Employees Federal Credit Union since 2001 and under her direction MEFCU has experienced phenomenal growth in all areas, including the successful expansion of membership to encompass all Mayo employees, volunteers, and students. Under Hansen’s leadership, MEFCU has been recognized at the state and national level as an industry leader.

Hansen serves on the Minnesota Credit Union Network Board as Chair and previously served on the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation Board of Directors. She has received the Minnesota ICON Award from Finance and Commerce, one of 20 Minnesotans honored for “distinctive excellence” in their careers and the Circle of Excellence Award from Finance and Commerce. Hansen was named the 2017 Professional of the Year by MnCUN, in addition to being named a Top Woman in Finance by the Finance and Commerce Magazine in 2015 and receiving a Distinguished Service Award from Luther College in 2016.

Tom Smith joined TopLine Financial Credit Union as Chief Lending Officer in May 2008 and was selected as President and CEO in January 2014. During Smith’s tenure the credit union has grown from $340 million in assets and 40,100 members to $735 million in assets and serving 49,000 members. A few other notable accomplishments under his leadership include fostering the credit union’s core values of integrity, respect, trust and ownership, guiding the development of TopLine Insurance Agency (CUSO), establishing the credit union’s 501(c)(3) foundation to support philanthropic efforts, leading efforts in multiple innovative technology conversions and expanding the credit union’s community-based field of membership to serve a total of 11 counties in the Twin Cities metropolitan area in Minnesota.

Smith serves on Minnesota Credit Union Network Board, the Minnesota Credit Union Network Foundation Board, and the Political Involvement Committee.

“Dave, Mary, and Tom, and have dedicated their careers towards credit unions and their members,” said MnCUN President & CEO Mark Cummins. “Their substantial involvement in the industry has benefited credit unions here in Minnesota and the movement overall. I thank them for their service and congratulate them on the honor of being inducted into the Credit Union House Hall of Leaders.”

“Mark truly embodies the credit union philosophy and vision,” said Mary Hansen, Chair of the MnCUN Board of Directors. “It was my absolute pleasure to work closely with Mark on the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation Board for 14 years and now as the state board chair with him at my side leading the credit union industry in Minnesota.”

The names of honorees are prominently displayed in Credit Union House in Washington D.C. to remind visitors of those who have volunteered their time to perpetuate the credit union movement and who remain committed to the values and mission on which credit unions were founded.

Left to Right: Dave Boden, Tom Smith, Mary Hansen, Mark Cummins (Photo Credit: Imagine Photography)

About Minnesota Credit Union Network

The Minnesota Credit Union Network is the statewide trade association that works to ensure the success, growth, and vitality of Minnesota credit unions. With over $40 billion in assets, Minnesota credit unions are local, trusted financial cooperatives that serve 2.2 million members at 405 branch locations around the state. As not-for-profit institutions, credit unions give back to the communities they serve. For more information, visit mncun.org.