Credit Union Talent Joins the C-Suite at Members 1st & Red Canoe CU

Karen Roland was promoted to chief marketing officer from her most recent position, SVP of marketing. She was previously with Members 1st from 2019-2021 as vice president of member service and digital engagement and, before that, assistant vice president of marketing. She rejoined Members 1st in 2024. In her new role, Roland will continue driving the organization’s marketing, relationship management and investment strategies forward. Roland has been in the credit union space for over 15 years, most recently as an associate EVP with State Employees Credit Union ($52.9 billion, Raleigh, N.C.). She was also assistant vice president of marketing and communications for PSECU ($8.7 billion, Harrisburg, Pa.) for over 10 years. Before joining the credit union industry, she held various leadership roles with The Hershey Company and served as an adjunct professor for The Pennsylvania State University for five years. Roland has served on several nonprofit boards, including United Cerebral Palsy of Central PA, Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance and SECU Life and Investment Companies. She has been recognized as a Woman of Influence by Central Penn Business Journal and Woman of Excellence by the YWCA.

Suffolk Credit Union ($1.8 billion, Medford, N.Y.) hired John F. MacAvoy as SVP of retail banking. MacAvoy brings more than 25 years of experience in financial institutions, and in his new role, he will lead efforts to optimize the branch network, elevate the member experience, and drive growth in deposits and loans while strengthening community engagement. He will also oversee strategies that enhance Suffolk CU’s accessibility, operational efficiency and personalized service offerings, positioning the organization as the financial institution of choice in Suffolk and Nassau counties. Most recently, he served as vice president, branch network operations manager at Hanover Bank. His career has also included leadership roles at Bank of America, Quick & Reilly, Smith Barney and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter. He previously served as president of the St. Rose CYO, Long Island’s largest youth sports organization, and has been a board member of the Mineola Chamber of Commerce since 2017. He also completed the Dean Witter Reynolds Executive Sales Training Program.

Nicole Antar, assistant vice president of creative and communications for SECU ($52.9 billion, Raleigh, N.C.), was recognized with an Emerging Leader Award by The Baltimore Banner. Launched in 2023, the program shines a spotlight on rising community leaders who are driving growth and meaningful change in the community. This year, 15 honorees were selected for their deep personal commitment to service and dedication to uplifting communities in Baltimore and throughout Maryland. Antar was recognized for her ongoing efforts to lead with purpose, exhibiting a strong commitment to living a life of service and mentorship. In her role at SECU, Antar is at the helm of a growing team responsible for all aspects of SECU’s creative and content production for all marketing initiatives including full-funnel campaigns, automation, community engagement, strategic partnerships, website development and events. She is also an active mentor through SECU’s Women Inspiring Learning and Leadership and Creciendo Juntos employee resource groups. Antar will be celebrated at The Baltimore Banner’s third Emerging Leaders award reception in May 2025.

SOUTH

TDECU ($4.7 billion, Lake Jackson, Texas) promoted Travis Perez to market president for the Southeast Texas region, which encompasses Brazoria, Galveston and Southeast Harris counties. Perez joined TDECU in February 2023 as a regional director and has nearly 15 years of leadership experience. He began his career in 2005 as a personal banker.

Abound Credit Union ($2.4 billion, Radcliff, Ky.) promoted Shelley Mitchell to EVP. Mitchell has been with Abound for nine years, joining in 2016 to lead the credit union’s audit team before progressing to vice president – risk, chief risk and knowledge officer, chief strategy officer and now EVP. Her experience prior to Abound included five years at accounting firm BKD/Forvis. She holds a master’s degrees from the University of Kentucky and is a Certified Public Accountant. Her work at Abound includes leading multiple board level committees, implementing new products and services, developing the risk and audit program, transforming the member solutions program, and leading the credit union’s core technology, digital banking technology, member solutions, compliance and risk, and auditing areas.

The $1.1 billion, Bartlesville, Okla.-based Truity Credit Union announced two new hires.

Garrett Carnes was hired as the branch manager of Truity’s newest branch in Olathe. Carnes brings several years of experience in the financial industry and public service roles, including branch manager.

VENDORS

The Burbank, Calif.-based fintech and AI company Zest AI hired Esther Kahng as head of public policy and chief of staff. In her new role, Kahng will serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and lead the company’s engagement with policymakers and regulatory bodies, drawing on her extensive experience in financial services policy and legislation. Kahng previously spent over a decade on Capitol Hill, most recently serving as chief counsel to the House Financial Services Committee under Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-Calif.). During her tenure, she was at the forefront of legislative and regulatory efforts around financial technology and AI, working to support advances in technology that benefit consumers and community banks. Before that, Kahng served in other senior positions within the House Financial Services Committee, including director of housing and insurance policy and senior counsel.