Royal Credit Union (Royal) announces the promotion of Heather Johnson Schmitz to Financial Education Manager. In this position, Johnson Schmitz is responsible for the strategic direction, growth, and operations of Royal's community financial education initiatives and School $ense program. Johnson Schmitz joined Royal in April of 2016 as Royal’s Grant and Giving Coordinator. Over the past 5 years, Johnson Schmitz has made a profound impact on Royal Credit Union and the communities they serve by leading the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) initiative, and helping Royal secure over $6.4 million in grants from the US Department of Treasury to expand economic opportunity in low-income communities.
Johnson Schmitz has served as a liaison to the RCU Foundation and is member of the Credit Union Foundation Network’s Networking and Education Committee. In addition, Johnson Schmitz has created multiple, impactful partnerships including a program to offer financial education incentives to clients of Workforce Resource Inc. and establishing a fund for Royal and the Eau Claire Community Foundation to provide continuing education for non-profit employees and board members.
Johnson Schmitz has a Master of Science Degree from Waldon University with a concentration in teaching and learning, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature and Technical Writing from UW-Eau Claire. In addition, Johnson Schmitz is a 2020 graduate of Royal’s Exploring Leadership program, and has led multiple department level and corporate projects, including Rock the Riverfront and Community Give Back Day.