As president and CEO for more than 24 years, Upward Credit Union’s Linda White will pass the leadership baton to board of directors-appointed Jason Mertz-Pickett, who has served as vice president of operations for more than five years. The transition, which will take effect Sep. 1, is being heralded as a model for credit union succession planning.
“Our members come first, and we serve them with a ferocious commitment to their financial wellbeing,” said Upward Credit Union Board Chair Annie Miller. “This meant that we needed to think ahead and create a leadership transition plan that could be activated to recognize Linda, while also minimizing any disruption to our current culture.”
White has been a thought leader throughout the credit union industry, serving on numerous committees with the California Credit Union League, Credit Union National Association (CUNA), CUNA Mutual, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI), founding board member of the Healthcare Credit Union Association (HCUA) — serving a total of 37 years.
One of her most meaningful contributions to the credit union movement is serving as a founding member of the Credit Union Women’s Leadership Alliance (CUWLA), where she will serve as executive director after her post ends at Upward Credit Union. Progressive, forward-thinking leadership with steadfast dedication to members, financial wellness and inclusivity, and a passion of people helping people, is how many describe her success within the industry.
“Over the past 37 years, longer than some of our employees have been alive, I have shepherded Upward Credit Union from $3 million in assets — from being in a damp, leaky office space in a medical building — to the thriving $100 million boutique credit union it is today,” White said.
“Linda’s lifelong commitment to learning has distinguished her among her peers as a thought leader and a person who will give voice to those most vulnerable,” said Susan Mitchell, CEO of Mitchell, Stankovic and Associates, a strategic consulting firm for the credit union industry.
White’s accomplishments include completing the Western CUNA Management School (WCMS) in 1990. She received the Distinguished Service Award, along with the Grassroots Leader of the Year and the Kim Bannan Eternal Flame Award, in 2012 and 2018, respectively — honors bestowed by the League. In perhaps her most life-changing career accomplishment, she became a Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) in 2019, a special program of the National Credit Union Foundation.
Her successor, Mertz-Pricket, followed suit, graduating with the CUDE designation in 2020. He, too, is a WCMS graduate. He was a 2012 CUNA Government Affairs Conference crash participant and a 2014 winner of the Tomorrow’s Star Award, an honor for young professionals chosen by the California Credit Union League.
“We’re in the people-helping-people business here at Upward Credit Union, and I’m excited for the future of our credit union and thank the board for appointing me as the new CEO,” Mertz-Pricket said. “Under Linda’s direction, we have cultivated such a talented and dedicated team that connects, engages and helps our members ‘soar Upward.’ My promise is that we will continue to put our members first, work as a team, and be an advocate for change.”
Prior to joining Upward Credit Union, Mertz-Prickett spent 17 years with other credit unions in the Bay Area region of California, working his way from a member service representative to a C-suite leader. He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance and a Master’s in Business Administration from Western Governors University, in addition to many other industry certifications that recognize his accomplishments.