Here’s a story you don’t hear every day: a leader who spent over three decades at one organization, tripled its size, and is leaving on her own terms with a legacy that actually means something.
Reliant Community Federal Credit Union announced that Pamela P. Heald, their President and CEO, will be retiring in January 2027. And honestly? After 34 years of service, she’s earned it.
From Branch Manager to CEO: A 34-Year Journey
Pamela didn’t parachute into the corner office with an MBA and a three-year plan. She started from the ground up, working her way through roles like Asset Recovery Supervisor, Branch Manager, Manager of Branch Development, Vice President of Branch Development, and Vice President of Lending and Branch Services before taking the CEO reins in January 2007.
That’s the kind of institutional knowledge you can’t buy in a leadership seminar.
The Numbers Tell Part of the Story
Under Pamela’s leadership, Reliant grew from a regional player to an $800 million powerhouse with ten branch locations. She shepherded the organization through a complete rebrand (goodbye WCTA Federal Credit Union, hello Reliant Credit Union), oversaw major system upgrades, and brought the credit union into the digital age with mobile banking capabilities.
But here’s the thing about numbers—they don’t tell you everything.
The Real Legacy? Culture and Community
Ask anyone at Reliant what Pamela’s biggest impact has been, and they won’t talk about asset growth or branch expansion. They’ll tell you about culture. Specifically, a culture that puts employees and members first, every single time.
That “people helping people” philosophy that credit unions love to talk about? Pamela actually lived it. And not just inside the organization—she’s been all-in on community involvement, serving on boards and committees across the region. She chaired the 2025 Go Red for Women Rochester campaign for the American Heart Association, serves on the Wayne County IDA Board of Directors and the Wayne County Civic Facilities Development Corp, and holds positions with the ARC of Wayne Foundation Board, the ARC of Wayne Board of Directors, and the Sodus Pride Lions Club, among others.
Words to Lead By
Back in January 2007, when Pamela first stepped into the CEO role, she wrote a letter to staff that feels pretty prophetic now: “My hope is for all of us to achieve our personal and professional goals… If we can imagine, believe, and expect great things together, great things will happen. I am enthusiastic for the future; a future in which together, we will grow.”
Mission accomplished, we’d say.
What Happens Next
Reliant’s Board of Directors, led by Chairperson Jane Slack, has already kicked off a national search for the next President and CEO. They’ve brought in an executive search firm to cast a wide net, with a selection expected in late 2026. Pamela will stay on through the transition to make sure everything runs smoothly for staff, members, and the community.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire organization, we extend our sincere appreciation for Pamela’s invaluable contributions to Reliant Credit Union as well as the communities we serve, and we wish her a happy and healthy retirement,” Slack said.
After 34 years of dedication, strategic vision, and putting people first, that retirement is well-deserved. Here’s to hoping Pamela’s successor brings even half the heart she did to the role.