Miriam De Dios, CEO of Latino credit union marketing specialistCoopera in Des Moines, Iowa, has recently received two industryhonors.

De Dios was awarded the World Council of Credit Union's YoungCredit Union People scholarship at the World Council's conferencein Poland in mid-July.

She also has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors forthe Network of Latino Credit Unions & Professionals.

De Dios was recognized by WYCUP for her continued work to helpcredit unions reach and serve the Hispanic market. Established in2001, WYCUP is an annual scholarship program that honors fivenominees under the age of 35 for contributions to the developmentof their own credit unions or credit union systems and theirpotential to do the same at the international level.

“There is tremendous opportunity for U.S. credit unions to serveour largely underserved Hispanic communities, and I am pleased thata renowned organization like WOCCU recognizes the growthopportunity that this presents for the U.S. credit union movement.I dedicate this award to Coopera's founder and late CEO, Warren Morrow, who turned his personal passion for serving theHispanic community into the successful organization that Coopera is today,” De Dios said.

De Dios was vice president of Coopera when Morrow died at age 34in February. She became CEO in May.

The NCLUP, meanwhile, works to develop professional Hispanicleadership and representation at all levels within the credit unionsystem. Its 13 board members are elected to two-year terms.

Coopera is owned by Affiliates Management Co., a holding companyof the Iowa Credit Union League.