Compass with needle pointing the word retirement, concept image to illustrate retirement planning Credit/Adobe Stock

After 17 years at the helm of the Lowell, Mass.-based Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union, Mark S. Cochran will retire later this summer.

According to Wednesday's announcement, a nationwide search for Jeanne D'Arc's next CEO has been launched by executive search and leadership development firm DDJ Myers, and both internal and external candidates will be considered.

Mark Cochran Mark Cochran

Since becoming CEO of the credit union, Cochran has increased staffing by 48%, more than doubled the credit union's membership base and increased assets from $600 million to $2.1 billion. Jeanne D'Arc also significantly expanded its footprint under Cochran's leadership – over the past 17 years, four traditional branches plus two high school branches were added, renovation projects were initiated at Jeanne D'Arc's existing four branches, and in 2009, a headquarters facility was opened in The Acre neighborhood of Lowell next to the credit union's Lowell Branch. What's more, Acre Crossing, a Jeanne D'Arc operations center, is set to open in The Acre this Spring adjacent to an affordable housing complex.

Cochran's achievements as CEO have also included launching the credit union's We Share A Common Thread Foundation in 2011, which has donated more than $4 million to nonprofits; being named CEO of the Year by the Cooperative Credit Union Association in 2022; and serving on the boards of Octant Business Services, CUFSLP, Eascorp and the MA Credit Union League Legislative Committee.

"Mark embodies Jeanne D'Arc's core values in all he does," Jeanne D'Arc Board Chair Naomi Prendergast said. "Mark is not only a respected leader, business partner and colleague to countless individuals and organizations, but a true friend. The Board is beyond grateful for Mark's leadership and vision over the years."

Cochran commented, "Serving as Jeanne D'Arc's CEO has been an honor and a privilege. Thanks to the strength of our team and Board, I'm confident this will be a smooth and seamless transition. I'm looking forward to seeing what's next as the credit union continues to help our members make smart financial choices."

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Natasha Chilingerian

Natasha Chilingerian has been immersed in the credit union industry for over a decade. She first joined CU Times in 2011 as a freelance writer, and following a two-year hiatus from 2013-2015, during which time she served as a communications specialist for Xceed Financial Credit Union (now Kinecta Federal Credit Union), she re-joined the CU Times team full-time as managing editor. She was promoted to executive editor in 2019. In the earlier days of her career, Chilingerian focused on news and lifestyle journalism, serving as a writer and editor for numerous regional publications in Oregon, Louisiana, South Carolina and the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, she holds experience in marketing copywriting for companies in the finance and technology space. At CU Times, she covers People and Community news, cybersecurity, fintech partnerships, marketing, workplace culture, leadership, DEI, branch strategies, digital banking and more. She currently works remotely and splits her time between Southern California and Portland, Ore.