St. Mary’s Credit Union has selected Grace Lee, a seasoned financial, legal and civic leader, as its next president/CEO, the credit union announced Tuesday. Lee officially assumed the role on Aug. 18, succeeding Interim President/CEO Jim Petkewich, who will remain with the organization as COO.
Lee most recently served as Eastern Massachusetts regional president and New England government banking group lead at M&T Bank, where she oversaw market strategy, charitable contributions and volunteer engagement. Under her leadership, the bank’s charitable foundation contributed $3.3 million to Massachusetts nonprofits and logged 12,600 volunteer hours in 2023.
Her background spans the private and public sectors, including senior roles at People’s United, law firm Eckert Seamans, the Massachusetts Office of the State Treasurer, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights and the Norfolk County District Attorney’s civil rights division.
“Grace brings a rare blend of executive leadership, government insight, community passion and deep operational expertise,” Jerry Richer, chair of the St. Mary’s Credit Union Board, said. “Her understanding of both systems and people will be an asset leading St. Mary’s Credit Union into its next chapter.”
Lee currently sits on multiple community and civic boards across Greater Boston, including Roxbury Community College Foundation, Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence, South Shore Hospital and the Mass High Tech Council.
“St. Mary’s is a best-in-class institution,” Lee said. “I am incredibly humbled by the opportunity to lead an organization with such an outstanding reputation.”
Richer praised Petkewich for his steady stewardship as interim CEO. “Jim has been an anchor for St. Mary’s Credit Union and the community,” Lee added. “His stewardship has not only sustained the organization — it has strengthened it.”
According to NCUA data, St. Mary's has just over $1 billion in assets and serves 56,765 members.
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