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WFCU expands board with new member

J. Kevin Ryan elected to WFCU Board of Directors

MADISON, WI (October 23, 2023) — The Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU) is excited to announce J. Kevin Ryan, retired President/CEO of Financial Center First Credit Union, as the newly elected Director to the Board of Directors.

Ryan joins the Board with 13 years of governing body experience and 36 dedicated years in the financial services industry. Serving as office manager all the way to up to President/CEO, Ryan has been an enthusiastic supporter of financial inclusion by advancing credit union reach in the Midwest and promoting the WFCU mission.

His advocacy of the WFCU mission has been well known as Financial Center has been involved in several World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) projects including the Education Summit in Colombia where Ryan shared insights and experience on providing exceptional services to Indiana’s immigrant communities. Ryan was also instrumental in Financial Center participating in one of the World Council’s first Global Bridges Journey Initiatives with Dundalk Credit Union in Ireland.

With his background and Financial Center’s awarded service to the International community in Indiana, Ryan felt drawn to learning about Colombian credit unions firsthand. He, along with WOCCU leadership, visited Colombia to share solutions and strengthen global connections.

“Whether you live in Indiana or the borders of South America, your local credit union is doing whatever it takes to spread the cooperative principles that credit unions were built upon”, said Ryan.

While Ryan retired in 2022, his passion for global credit union advocacy has kept him connected to his former credit union as its International Ambassador, participating in Financial Center’s International Advisory Council and continuing the credit union’s WOCCU involvement alongside their current CEO, Cameron Minges.

“Financial Center has been fortunate to be a part of the global credit union movement for the last several years, and we are excited that Kevin will represent Midwestern credit unions and their immigrant members now on the WFCU Board,” said Minges.

As a leader in the credit union movement and advocate for expanding financial inclusion globally, J. Kevin Ryan lives the WFCU mission. We are excited to welcome him to the WFCU Board of Directors and look forward to the new perspectives he will bring.

About Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU)

The Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions, as the strategic partner of the World Council, bridges gaps impacting credit unions' ability to grow and advance financial inclusion worldwide. Our commitment to provide global credit union journeys augments our shared vision with World Council's of realizing a vibrant and growing global credit union movement. Worldwide Foundation's philanthropy advances World Council's technical capacity to strengthen credit union systems that advance financial inclusion to underserved communities. Learn more at www.DoGlobalGood.org 

  • WFCU fundraises primarily to support work focused on:
    • Bridging the Inclusion Gap – expanding and sustaining credit unions, providing access to financial services to underserved communities, globally.
    • Empowering women – the Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN) aims to provide women with the opportunity and resources to make a measurable difference in the lives of each other, in the lives of credit union members and in their communities.
    • Disaster relief (Project Storm Break) – including providing over $1.7M to support credit unions and members in Ukraine, and significant efforts to support rebuilding and recovery efforts in Turkey following a catastrophic earthquake in February 2023.
    • Leadership development (WYCUP) – the World Council's Young Credit Union Professionals (WYCUP) program is a platform for young credit union professionals and their advocates to connect to the world, engage professional journeys with global perspective and inspire a force for positive change through financial cooperatives in communities everywhere.
 

About Financial Center First Credit Union

Financial Center First Credit Union is an $847 million credit union whose mission is to improve the financial lives of its members who live or work in Central Indiana. Over 69,000 members at Financial Center and its Muncie-based division, Ball State Financial, take advantage of competitive rates and lower fees by banking with the Central Indiana-based credit union. Financial Center is proud to empower the community by supporting military veterans, feeding the hungry, and bringing award-winning financial education to all. Learn more at fcfcu.com.

Contacts

Rachel Miller
E-mail: rmiller@woccu.org
Phone: 608-395-2036

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