Maurice R. Smith Leadership Award

Carlos Calderon, I-CUDE, serves as President/CEO of OAS Federal Credit Union. Under his leadership, OAS FCU grew from a $40 million to close to a $300 million financial institution.  

Calderon played a role in creating ACCESO, a bilingual community branch addressing the otherwise unmet financial needs of Latino immigrants in Washington, DC.  

He is an International Credit Union Development Educator and participated in various international development projects for the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU).  He is the recipient of WOCCU’s Silver Award and recognized by the National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU) as 2019 CEO of the Year.  

His volunteer service includes the Credit Union Mortgage Association (CUMA) Board of Directors, past chair, current board member and co-founder of the Network of Latino Credit Unions and Professionals (NLCUP), treasurer of the George Mason University Carter School of Conflict Resolution board of advisors, and the Friends of the OAS Art Museum of the Americas.  

Calderon holds an executive master's in leadership from Georgetown University, M.B.A. from Marymount University, and B.S. in Information Systems from George Mason University. 

Pablo DeFilippi leads Inclusiv’s membership development and engagement strategies and manages Inclusiv/Network, a network of community development finance practitioners that provide valuable consulting services to CDCUs. Mr. DeFilippi has more than 20 years of experience in community finance, working with regulated financial institutions both in the domestic and international arena. Originally from Chile, DeFilippi came to the US in the early 90s and almost immediately became involved in credit unions.

After working at MCU, a large credit union serving New York City employees, he joined the Lower East Side People’s FCU (LESPFCU) a credit union serving Hispanics and other underserved populations in the New York City area and acted as its CEO until early 2004. From then and until the end of 2005, Mr. DeFilippi managed the World Council of Credit Unions, Inc. (WOCCU)‘s International Remittance Program (IRnet), a world-wide initiative to provide alternative remittance services to consumers both in the US and in recipient countries through the credit union system.

Mr. DeFilippi holds a B.A. in Social Studies from Universidad de Chile, as well as a Professional Accounting Certificates from Baruch College and New York University. He has a Master of Business Administration from Pace University and is a graduate of CUNA’s Management School and NCUF’s Social Impact Management Institute. He is also a Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) and a UK Credit Union Development Educator.

Martin Eakes is the CEO of Self-Help Credit Union and Self-Help Federal Credit Union. In 2002, he helped establish the Center for Responsible Lending, an affiliate of Self-Help, that battles predatory mortgage and payday lenders across the country and fights to protect homeownership and family wealth for working families. Eakes is a well-decorated credit union executive and has been recognized with national awards including the National Credit Union Foundation’s Wegner Award, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights’ Hubert Humphrey Award and Ford Foundation’s Visionary Award, to name a few. Martin holds a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and physics from Davidson College, a Juris Doctorate from Yale Law School and a Master of Arts from Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs.

Juan Fernandez is the President/CEO of the Credit Union Association of New Mexico (CUANM). Over the course of his nearly 20-year credit union tenure, which he began as a teller during college, he has led credit unions’ community development efforts in New York, assisting them in seizing opportunities to serve unmet needs in their communities and achieving sustainable growth. He and his team are credited with drafting legislative initiatives – that ultimately passed – to lower the compliance burden and enable credit unions to reach more markets and communities. He recently launched programs to help New Mexico credit unions achieve CDFI certification and serve needs that went unmet by other financial institutions. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Binghamton University and a Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University.

Ronaldo Hardy is a two-time credit union CEO, former consulting firm owner, and current CEO of BALANCE, a national leader in financial wellness and empowerment. His passion lies in helping leaders break free from mediocrity and creating cultures of boldness, trust, and innovation that drive meaningful impact. 
 
Throughout his career, Hardy has led award-winning transformations, driven unprecedented growth, and built high-performing teams rooted in authenticity and connection. In his current role, he is focused on expanding access to financial counseling, education, and solutions that disrupt cycles of poverty and empower individuals and families across the country. 
 
As CEO of NACUSO, he spearheaded national collaboration and innovation efforts within the credit union industry, helping organizations navigate the rapidly evolving financial services landscape. He also led Southwest Louisiana Credit Union to become a certified Community Development Financial Institution, securing a $950,000 federal award and building a legacy of mission-driven leadership and strategic growth. 
 
Beyond his work in financial services, Hardy has owned and operated a high-impact consulting firm, where he partnered with executives and organizations to transform leadership pipelines, navigate cultural challenges, and unlock team potential. His expertise spans leadership coaching, organizational transformation, and cultural innovation, all with a focus on helping leaders lead boldly and authentically. 
 
Today, he combines his leadership expertise, real-world results, and dynamic speaking presence to deliver high-impact keynotes that challenge leaders to rethink what is possible. His programs inspire leaders to ditch the masks, trust themselves, and build organizations where people and ideas thrive. 

Gigi Hyland serves as the Executive Director for the National Credit Union Foundation, the philanthropic and social responsibility leader of America's credit union movement. In her role, she ignites and inspires credit union professionals to put consumer financial health and cooperative principles at the heart of their business strategy. Her career in credit unions spans 30 years as an advocate, attorney, federal regulator and now philanthropist. She is a Credit Union Development Educator and Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor. Hyland serves on the America Saves® Advisory Board and the National Cooperative Bank Board of Directors, chairing its Board Risk Committee. In 2022, she was inducted into the America’s Credit Union Museum Herstory exhibit, which highlights a range of credit union women and their achievements in the industry.

Inclusiv is the new name of the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions.  Inclusiv's mission is to help low- and moderate-income people and communities achieve financial independence through credit unions.  Inclusiv advocates with government agencies, regulators and lawmakers for policies and programs that promote the safety and soundness of credit unions while allowing them to grow and promote the financial inclusion of low-income communities.

As the CEO of Mitchell, Stankovic & Associates (MSA), Susan Mitchell is a strategic advisor to Boards and CEOs, providing innovative consulting services, including strategic planning and board governance globally. She is a successful entrepreneur, beginning her career developing applications for the financial industry and later starting MyDAS, a small business developing a multi-media online university, multilingual consumer education, marketing and mystery shopping for financial institutions worldwide, attracting the attention of Liberty/Harland. MSA was launched after a successful merger and acquisition in 2005.   

Mitchell has spearheaded multiple impactful initiatives. The Underground is one of her pioneering initiatives, driving authentic engagement and collaboration through thought leadership. Additionally, she has developed diversity and financial literacy programs, served as CEO of the most influential recruiting firm, facilitated the Global Billion $$ CU Forum, and provided Board governance / succession planning. She authored the CU Shared Services (CUSS) white paper that is a game changer for boutique credit unions.   

As a volunteer, Mitchell is changing lives. She is the founding Chair of Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN), working with thousands of wonderful credit union professionals with members from six continents and 85 countries. GWLN received the Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor given globally for credit union service. She received the Herb Wegner Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the America’s CU Museum Herstory.    

Mitchell is a pioneer sponsor of CU Pride, the LBGTQ+ Association and the Polish / American Ukrainian Refugee Via Stella Foundation.

Jim Morrell has served credit unions for over 30 years and has been CEO at Peninsula Credit Union for 13 years.  

Along with his team at Peninsula Credit Union, Jim is dedicated to uplifting households struggling to make ends meet and supporting the growing Hispanic community. By prioritizing financial well-being and providing tailored solutions, they strive to empower individuals and families to achieve financial stability and security.  

To amplify the impact of financial inclusion, Jim empowers his team to create extraordinary member experiences. These "Wow! Moments" drive deeper connections and foster advocacy within the credit union movement. As a board member of the World Council of Credit Unions, America’s Credit Unions, and WesPay Payments Association, Morrell champions industry-wide initiatives. Locally, he has been involved with the boards of The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound, the EDC of Mason County, Shelton Family YMCA, and Great Bend Center for Music, demonstrating a commitment to community betterment.  

Morrell is a certified International Credit Union Development Educator (I-CUDE) in the United States and Africa. He holds a Master of Business and Public Administration from the Atkinson Graduate School of Management at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington.  

Morrell enjoys traveling the world with his husband Chris, parenting their two 4-legged kids (Rupert and Dolly), sharing great Northwest wines, boating, and fishing.

George Ombado, I-CUDE, is the Executive Director of the African Confederation of Cooperative Saving and Credit Association (ACCOSCA), a regional association representing credit unions and cooperative financial institutions in Africa. He represents ACCOSCA's interests in engaging with governments, national associations, and development partners to support an inclusive economy in Africa. As such, he has been a key player in strengthening regional and interregional, intercontinental collaboration in the cooperative sector.   

Ombado is a development economist with a B. Com (Hons) from Daystar University, an M.A. (Economics of Development) from Erasmus University in the Netherlands, and an MSc in Management from Strathclyde Business School, UK. He is also an Alumnus of Harvard Business School with a certificate in Strategic Leadership.   

He serves on various boards including Board Member of the World Council of Credit Union based in Madison, Wisconsin, USA, current Treasurer of Cadasta Foundation based in Washington, DC, USA, Board Member of the Africa Co-operative Development Foundation (ACDF), and Chair of the Management Committee of Proxfin Network established by The Desjardins International Development as a platform for dialogue with the financial inclusion space.  

Ombado has been a speaker on developing and establishing transformational approaches that harness social and economic development through Cooperative approaches in over 30 countries. He was inducted into the African American Credit Union Hall of Fame during the Credit Union National Association’s Governmental Affairs Conference in 2022 for his work in developing a viable financial cooperative in the world.

Diane Rector is the Consumer Affairs Analyst for the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). She advocates for making NCUA a workplace more equitable and inclusive for people with visible and invisible disabilities. Joining NCUA in 1997, her past roles include leading, developing and implementing consumer education and outreach initiatives for credit unions. She has collaborated with various agencies and financial institutions to provide resources and training to credit unions relating to expanding access to financial resources and financial needs to underserved communities. Her work also includes providing strategic counsel and programs that support Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Strayer University.

Angela Russell is the Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and is the Vice President of the CUNA Mutual Foundation at CUNA Mutual Group.  Angela is responsible for leading the development, direction and implementation of short and long-term strategies and programs that support Diversity & Inclusion and overseeing CUNA Mutual’s Corporate Social Responsibility program.  

In 2018, Ms. Russell was named as one of the nation’s most powerful diversity executives by Black Enterprise magazine.  

Ms. Russell has nearly 20 years of professional experience involving diversity and inclusion, external relations and outreach, communications, policy development, and research and evaluation. 

Prior to joining CUNA Mutual she worked in various roles in public health including serving as a Health Equity Coordinator for Public Health Madison Dane County and she was the Community Engagement Lead for the National County Health Rankings & Roadmaps Program at the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. 

Ms. Russell has also worked in a variety of roles in Wisconsin state government including Division Administrator for the Division of Early Care and Education, and Assistant Deputy Secretary for the Department of Children and Families, and Policy Advisor to Governor Jim Doyle.  She was formerly an epidemiologist with Wisconsin AIDS/HIV and Hepatitis C Program at the Department of Health Services. 

She holds a Master of Science in Population Health from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Beloit College. 

Angela serves on the Board of Madison Urban Ministry, Edgewood College Board of Trustees, and Wisconsin School of Business Advisory Board. 

Joseph D. Thomas, Jr. has devoted his career to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the credit union movement. With over three decades of service—including 25 years as President and CEO of NextMark Federal Credit Union—Thomas has championed initiatives that foster financial empowerment, equity, and opportunity for all.  

Currently serving as Executive President of Apple Federal Credit Union, Thomas plays a key role in the integration of two leading institutions in Northern Virginia, with a focus on maintaining exceptional member service and a strong culture of employee engagement. His leadership is marked by a deep commitment to creating inclusive, people-first environments.  

Thomas’ dedication to DEI also extends globally. From his early service in the U.S. Peace Corps to extensive consulting work across Africa, the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe, he has supported the growth of credit unions that serve marginalized and underserved communities.  

An engaged industry leader, Thomas has served on the boards of the Virginia Credit Union League, the Credit Union National Association, and the World Council of Credit Unions. He continues to advocate for inclusive practices that open pathways to leadership and financial access.  

Thomas holds an M.B.A. in Finance from Averett University and a B.A. in Foreign Affairs from Assumption University. He is especially honored to receive the Maurice R. Smith DEI Leadership Award from the African-American Credit Union Coalition and proud that his credit union was an inaugural member of the AACUC—a reflection of shared values and enduring commitment.

Maurice Smith is the CEO of Local Government Federal Credit Union and Civic FCU. Both are financial cooperatives serving the financial needs of employees, appointed officials, elected officeholders, and volunteers of local governments in North Carolina.   

Smith began his career in financial services as a loan officer for State Employees’ Credit Union. Smith served in several capacities including vice-president/city executive and vice-president of marketing/training. Smith joined LGFCU in 1992 as the Executive VicePresident and was promoted to President in 1999 and later CEO. Civic was chartered in 2017.   

Smith received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and earned a Juris Doctorate from the NC Central University School of Law. Smith is licensed to practice law in North Carolina, the District of Columbia and before the United States Supreme Court. Smith is also a North Carolina Certified Superior Court Mediator. Smith achieved a NC Real Estate Brokers License, Certified Credit Union Executive Designation and attended several management and marketing schools.  

Smith and his wife have two children and live in Cary, North Carolina. He is a Deacon at Wake Chapel Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, and participates in several community and civic activities. Smith is a self-proclaimed cooperative nerd. He believes that a business model that empowers its members to engage in democratic, self-help, classless principles is superior to other business types. As a fan of credit union ideals, Smith is avid about his beliefs. 

Self-Help, co-founded by Martin Eakes and Bonnie Wright in 1980, is a community development lender. Self-Help has provided $13 billion in financing to more than 200,000 homebuyers, small businesses and nonprofits. Self-Help reaches people who are underserved by conventional lenders – particularly persons of color, immigrants, women, rural residents, and low-wealth families. Self-Help has 75 branch offices in North Carolina, California, Illinois, Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin and Washington. The Self-Help nonprofit family includes two credit unions. Self-Help Credit Union is a North Carolina state-chartered credit union that started with a $77 bake sale in 1984 and now has 93,000 members and $1.8 billion in assets. Self-Help Federal Credit Union was chartered in 2008 and has 101,000 members and $2 billion in assets.