The credit union movement in America did not simply emerge from policy debates or legislative victories—it was built, brick by brick, by leaders who believed finance should serve people, not the other way around. And from the very beginning, women were not just participants in that mission—they were architects of it.

Too often, history credits the movement to a handful of well-known figures. But the truth is more powerful: women were central to organizing, scaling, and sustaining credit unions across the country. Leaders like Louise Herring, widely known as the “mother of credit unions,” helped establish hundreds of institutions and shaped the governance and philosophy that still guide us today. Dora Maxwell fought to expand access and bring financial services to working families who had been left behind. Angela Melville traveled across rural America organizing credit unions and writing operational playbooks that allowed the movement to scale.

These were not symbolic contributions. They were operational, strategic, and foundational. Without these women, there is no credit union movement as we know it.

That legacy is reflected in the many women who have shaped DCUC’s history from then to now—an enduring reminder that leadership in this movement has always been collective, not individual. While not exhaustive, a few notable examples include:

• Doris Kenny, manager of the Grand Forks Air Force Base FCU, who formed an early membership committee to strengthen and expand DCUC’s reach.
• Mildred Hodgin, former DCUC Board Member, who helped guide DCUC during a formative period of leadership and growth.
• Nancy Pierce, who delivered the welcoming address at the 1998 DCUC Annual Conference in Las Vegas as Chair of the Credit Union National Association.
• Jean Yokum, former DCUC Board Member, whose service in military credit unions began during the Korean conflict of the early 1950s, demonstrating the deep historical ties between national service and financial stewardship.
• Denise Floyd, retired President/CEO of Fort Sill Federal Credit Union and 2023 DCUC Hall of Honoree, one of the longest-serving leaders in DCUC history and only the third woman to hold the Board Chair position. Her distinguished service also includes leadership roles with the Armed Forces Financial Network and numerous honors recognizing her lifelong commitment to serving others.
• Today, our board is chaired by Maggie Sayer, President and CEO of Keys Federal Credit Union. Maggie represents exactly what makes this movement unique—homegrown leadership, deep community roots, and a relentless focus on members.
• Alongside her is Robin Larsen, President and CEO of Cobalt Credit Union and DCUC’s Second Vice Chair. Robin has spent decades building a career from the ground up, leading one of the nation’s most respected defense-aligned credit unions, and championing innovation like ITIN lending to ensure no community is left behind.

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Across the broader credit union industry, women leaders have continued to shape and strengthen the movement, including Christiane “Gigi” Hyland, who has contributed both as a member of the NCUA Board and as Executive Director of the National Credit Union Foundation and spoke at several DCUC conferences; Kathy Chartier, a 2026 Herb Wegner Memorial Award recipient; and Lauren Culp, current Executive Director of the National Credit Union Foundation.

These are not exceptions—they are part of a broader truth about our industry.

Unlike traditional banking, where leadership pipelines have historically excluded women, credit unions have consistently elevated women into executive leadership. Today, roughly half of all credit union CEOs are women—a staggering contrast to the single-digit representation seen in the banking sector. That is not an accident. It is a reflection of our cooperative model, our mission-driven focus, and our commitment to people over profits.

And in the defense credit union space, that leadership matters even more.

Our institutions serve a unique population—active-duty servicemembers, veterans, and military families. These communities are diverse, resilient, and constantly adapting to change. Women play a central role in that ecosystem—not only as servicemembers, but as spouses, financial decision-makers, and community leaders.

It should come as no surprise, then, that women are also leading many of the credit unions that serve them.

From large, multi-billion-dollar institutions to smaller, community-based credit unions operating near installations, women are stepping into CEO roles and shaping the future of defense financial services. They are navigating regulatory complexity, driving digital transformation, and ensuring financial readiness for those who serve our country.

But here is the reality: while progress has been made, the job is not finished.

Leadership representation does not sustain itself. It requires intentional investment, mentorship, and a commitment to building the next generation of executives. The same way pioneers like Herring and Maxwell built infrastructure for growth, we must now build infrastructure for leadership development.

That means identifying talent early. It means supporting women in operational roles—technology, lending, compliance, member experience—and ensuring they have pathways to the C-suite. And it means recognizing that diversity in leadership is not just a moral imperative—it is a strategic advantage.

Because the challenges facing credit unions today are not getting simpler.

We are navigating increased regulatory pressure, growing competition from fintechs and banks, and ongoing threats to our tax status and cooperative model. At the same time, we are being asked to do more for our members—more innovation, more access, more support during times of crisis.

Meeting those demands requires leadership that reflects the communities we serve.

And that is where women will define the future of this movement.

At DCUC, we see it every day. We see it in Maggie’s leadership at the board level. We see it in Robin’s operational excellence and forward-thinking approach. And we see it across our membership—in the CEOs, executives, and rising leaders who are carrying this movement forward.

The credit union story has always been about people helping people. But behind that simple phrase is a complex reality: it takes leadership, vision, and relentless commitment to make that mission real.

Women have been delivering that leadership for more than a century.

Now, the responsibility is ours to ensure they continue to shape the next one.

Because if history has taught us anything, it is this: when women lead in the credit union movement, communities are stronger, members are better served, and the mission endures.

And in today’s environment, that is not just important—it is essential.

Jason Stverak is Chief Advocacy Officer for the Defense Credit Union Council, a role he assumed in April 2024. He previously served as Deputy Chief Advocacy Officer for Federal Government Affairs at America’s Credit Unions and was interim chief advocacy officer in 2022 and 2023. Earlier in his career, he was deputy chief of staff to Senator Kevin Cramer and held senior legislative roles in Congress and advocacy organizations. A prominent voice on Capitol Hill, Stverak is a frequent media contributor and has been recognized as a top lobbyist by The Hill and the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics.