Big news from Bay Federal Credit Union: their President and CEO Carrie Birkhofer is heading to the big leagues. She’s been elected to the Board of Directors for America’s Credit Unions, and her term runs through February 2029.
If you’re not familiar with America’s Credit Unions, think of them as the voice of the credit union industry — the organization that goes to bat for credit unions nationwide. They work with state Leagues and partners to push for policies that help credit unions do what they do best: grow, serve their members, and build stronger communities.
The Board itself is no small deal. Chaired by Commonwealth Credit Union CEO Karen Harbin, it brings together elected leaders from credit unions of all sizes across the country. It’s basically the Avengers of credit union leadership, and Birkhofer just got her call-up.
“Bay Federal has always believed in the power of credit unions to create meaningful impact, not only for individual members, but for entire communities,” Birkhofer said. “I am honored to serve on America’s Credit Unions Board of Directors and to work alongside leaders from across the country to help advance the credit union movement and the financial wellness of the people we collectively serve.”
This appointment isn’t just a personal win for Birkhofer. It reflects Bay Federal’s deep commitment to the credit union philosophy of “people helping people” — and their track record of supporting advocacy, collaboration, and innovation across the industry.
Birkhofer also brings valuable perspective to the table. She leads a large, community-focused credit union that serves members, small businesses, and nonprofits throughout the Western United States. That means she understands the diverse challenges and opportunities facing credit unions in different markets — insight that’ll be crucial as the industry navigates what’s next.