Denise Gabel is leaving the Filene Research Institute to take over as the new chief operating officer for the Northwest Credit Union Association in Federal Way, Wash., starting Nov. 5.
"I'm extremely pleased that Denise will be joining our organization as my executive colleague and second in command,” said Troy Stang, NWCUA’s CEO/president. “She shares our passion for a successful credit union movement in the Northwest and will be charged with direct operational oversight of critical services we provide for nearly 200 credit unions in the region.”
Gabel, a Spokane, Wash., native who joined Filene after serving as vice president for strategic direction at the $1.6 billion Spokane Teachers Credit Union, will be responsible at the NWCUA for compliance services, training and development, public relations and the Northwest Credit Union Foundation.
She will also provide direction to Strategic Link, NWCUA’s service corporation that leverages cooperative intelligence and provides credit unions with efficient products and services through preferred business solutions.
Gabel is leaving her position as chief finance and strategy officer at Filene in Madison, Wis., where she was responsible for identifying trends and opportunities to bring to the credit union system. She was with Filene for six years.
Another priority for Gabel will be working with all credit unions to ensure collaborative engagement and participation. In her role as a Filene innovator, Gabel has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the industry, Stang noted.
With Gabel on board overseeing the organization's operations, Stang said he will focus on oversight of the NWCUA’s legislative, regulatory and governmental affairs policy efforts.
The Northwest Credit Union Association said it now serves 164 credit unions in Oregon and Washington. It was officially formed on Jan. 1, 2011, after a merger of the two states’ leagues.
