For the first time ever, a woman will formally lead the Board ofDirectors of the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union, thelargest ethnically based credit union in the U.S.

The 75,000-member, $1.4 billion CU, headquartered in Brooklyn,N.Y., but with a strong presence in Chicago, has long had women board members but never a womanchair. The new chair is Marzena Wierzbowska.

The CU reported that during its recent board election, 16candidates competed for seats on the board. Four new directors wereelected: Malgorzata Gradzki, Beata Klar-Jakubowski, Leon Kokoszkaand Marzena Wojczulanis.

Wierzbowska, in her second term, was elected the board'schairperson at the first post-election meeting.

Well known within the Polish American community for her workwith social and legal outreach programs to benefit Polishimmigrants, Wierzbowska had served the past four years on the PSFCUboard, distinguishing herself as an outspoken advocate for members'rights.

“I would like to thank the directors for selecting me to thisimportant post, and all our members for their trust. As always, Iwill make sure that PSFCU is a safe and stable financialinstitution, which respects the rights of all its members,” shesaid.

“Under my supervision, the board will respond quickly andemphatically to problems suggested by the members, which, in theend, will help us improve overall member satisfaction and thequality of our service. I am a firm believer in being responsive tomember feedback,” Wierzbowska said.

Wierzbowska completed journalism and political science studiesin Poland, and later studied psychology at New York University. Shehas served as the director of the Legal and Social Services programat the Polish Cultural Foundation in Clark, N.J., and was thedirector of the Community Action Program and manager/coordinator ofthe municipal English as a Second Language teaching programorganized by the City of New York.

Polish & Slavic this summer named a new CEO, Polish-bornformer banker Oskar Mielczarek.