The California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues have filled a key position on its leadership team to continue its mission of helping credit unions change people’s lives. We’d like to welcome Amanda Merz, vice president of impact and development for the Leagues!
“We are pleased to extend a warm welcome to Amanda Merz as we look forward to the valuable contributions she will bring to our organization and our member credit unions,” said Larry Palochik, executive vice president for the Leagues. “Her extensive experience, industry excellence, community service, and adept leadership will greatly benefit our organization and the credit unions we serve.”
Merz will lead the League’s focus to help credit unions develop their employees, leaders, and volunteers and collaborate with our credit unions to champion social and community impact strategies to build and grow financially resilient communities throughout our states.
She will also continue spearheading the Leagues’ big-picture endeavors, which include leadership in the planning, development and execution of external community and social impact strategies, as well as delivering high quality programs, events, and initiatives to meet the evolving education and professional development needs of credit unions. Merz will help carry out the Leagues’ mission of lifting credit unions in their communities and raising awareness of their positive impact on the individuals, neighborhoods, and regions they serve.
“I’m excited and honored to bring my philosophy of serving credit union members to the Leagues and its member credit unions,” Merz said. “I look forward to engaging with so many credit unions across both states that are working every day to better the lives of their underserved and unbanked communities.”
Merz served SAFE CU (Sacramento, CA) for nine years, where she most recently worked as community impact manager, overseeing community social impact, government relations, and financial education efforts. She is a seasoned leader with strong ties to the community through learning and development efforts, serving on multiple boards, foundations, community groups and impact initiatives, as well as advancing socially responsible public policy at the local, state, and federal levels. She is known as a community impact amplifier with many years of experience advocating on behalf of vulnerable populations, as well as having a background in financial education management.
Additionally, Merz is no stranger to the credit union system. She was honored with the Credit Union National Association’s (CUNA) “Credit Union Hero of the Year” award this year for her deep ties to the nonprofit community in the Sacramento area, as well as relationships that provided direct insights into her community’s needs as she worked with a range of organizations that focus on SAFE CU’s three pillars of philanthropy: education, health care, and veterans.
She has also been honored with CUNA’s Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award in 2022; the Sacramento Business Journal’s “Corporate Citizen” recognition from 2019 – 2021; the Association of Fundraising Professionals and SAFE CU’s “Philanthropist of the Year” award in 2019; and U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland Madeline Kunin’s “Women Making a Difference” recognition in 1998.
