Tonita Webb, CEO of Verity Credit Union, named a 2021 Women of Influence by Puget Sound Business Journal
The award comes the same year Webb joined Verity as the first woman and person of color in its CEO position
SEATTLE, WA (October 1, 2021) — Tonita Webb, CEO of Verity Credit Union, thought leader, and advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion has been named a winner of the Puget Sound Business Journal’s prestigious Women of Influence award. The recognition is given to just 15 women annually, upon application, who made their mark on the Puget Sound region’s business community.
“The honor of being selected as a woman of influence is deeply rooted in my mission to elevate other women and the needs of our community, especially the BIPOC community that often goes un-or under-represented,” said Tonita Webb.
This year, Tonita became the CEO of Verity Credit Union, a $735 million asset financial institution in Seattle that focuses on socially responsible banking. Her move followed fifteen years as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer at Seattle Credit Union, where she was the only Black woman at her level.
Serving on the board of six industry organizations and nonprofits, while also completing her dissertation to earn her a Doctorate of Business Administration from City University of Seattle, she continues to speak of the importance of representation in all organizations and the benefits of healthy conflict as teams discuss difficult topics, such as racism. Tonita frequently participates in credit union advocacy to work with legislators at the state and national level and ensure that credit unions continue to have the opportunity to serve the underserved and work cooperatively to build strong communities.
Through her work, her time spent serving the community, and her personal life as a wife and mother of four, Tonita influences those around her to step up and be role models for young people, particularly young BIPOC children, to ensure that they see the possibilities before them. She’s a change maker in the industry — paving the way for a more diverse and inclusive future by believing in the community’s ability to thrive and the credit union industry’s mission to assist with equity and empathy.
“For me, this win is for the other women leading positive change, for the black woman or man who’s the only person of color in their company, and for all of the little black girls to see what’s possible,” closed Tonita.
Tonita is committed to making sure young Black girls know what’s possible and see women who look like them in leadership roles, while bringing up the masses with her approachable spirit and unapologetic confidence. Despite being raised in the South where she was taught to find a husband, have kids and take care of the household, Tonita knew that she could do more and hasn’t stopped yet.
About Verity Credit Union
Verity Credit Union is one of Washington State’s longest-standing credit unions, putting people, the planet, and prosperity for all above the bottom line. Our mission is to make meaningful, positive, and lasting change by partnering with our members and communities to co-create solutions. As a socially-responsible financial institution, about 95% of our deposits support the local economy and members with loans big and small to improve the well-being of businesses and individuals, especially those who have been historically left out of the financial system. We are one of few financial institutions with a Black woman CEO and leadership team and board that identifies predominantly female, allowing us to embody the change we’re working towards. Together, we can create stronger, healthier, more sustainable communities by making-people centric decisions.
