Vice President Miriam De Dios has been tapped as the new CEO ofthe Hispanic credit union economic development firm Coopera in DesMoines, Iowa.

De Dios will fill the position previously held by founderWarren Morrow, who died unexpectedly in February at age 34.

Interim CEO Murray Williams will transition back to his roles aschief administrative officer at Affiliates Management Company andchief operating officer at the Iowa Credit Union League. He willcontinue to act as strategic advisor to Coopera, an affiliate ofthe league.

Since helping launch Coopera alongside Morrow, De Dios has overseen the company's client operations, managedthe innovation of products and led the company's marketing andpublic relations efforts. Prior to joining Coopera, she worked withState Farm Insurance Companies and John Deere Credit.

A native of Jalisco, Mexico, who witnessed her own parents'struggles to navigate the U.S. financial system, she has beenpassionate about furthering Coopera's mission of connecting moreHispanics – both immigrant and U.S. born – with the financialmainstream. Credit unions, she believes, are the answer.

“Although this is a very bittersweet time, I'm excited for thefuture of Coopera,”said De Dios. “We have an immense opportunity to continue providingdignified financial services to the Hispanic community throughcredit unions.

“Although the need for Hispanic growth in the credit unionindustry is greater than ever, I see it being met with increasedmotivation and momentum by credit unions, which is energizing. I'mlooking forward to seeing the impact we can continue to make onHispanic communities across the nation and on the credit unionmovement as a whole.”

Coopera is owned by Affiliates Management Company, holdingcompany of the Iowa Credit Union League, and is a strategicalliance partner with CUNA.

”At CUNA, we have the utmost respect and confidence in Miriamand applaud her promotion,” said Mark Condon, senior vice presidentof business and consumer publishing at CUNA. “We look forward tocontinuing our strategic alliance with Coopera to help creditunions grow through the underserved Hispanic community.”

De Dios belongs to the World Council of Credit Union's GlobalWomen's Leadership Network and is a member of the national Networkof Latino Credit Unions and Professionals. She also is a leaderwith several Des Moines area non-profit organizations, includingthe Iowa International Center, Hispanic Educational Resources andLatinas para Un Nuevo Amanecer.