Seasoned credit union leader to guide financial strategy and sustainable growth
As orsa continues stepping into its next chapter following its recent rebrand, the credit union announced that Shawn Wolbert, has joined the organization as chief financial officer. Wolbert began her role this week and will serve on the executive leadership team, guiding strategic growth while reinforcing the financial stewardship that protects members and strengthens the cooperative.
Wolbert brings more than 25 years of experience in financial services and credit union leadership, including CEO-level roles and senior finance positions across the industry. Most recently, she served as chief financial officer at Cornerstone Community Financial Credit Union. Previously, she held president and chief executive officer roles at credit unions in New York and the Midwest, where she led financial turnarounds, strengthened CAMEL ratings, improved net worth positions, and modernized operations to expand access for underserved communities.
Earlier in her career, Wolbert served as senior vice president and chief financial officer for the Michigan Credit Union League & Affiliates, supporting compliance and operational solutions serving thousands of credit unions nationwide. Her background reflects a strong command of regulatory strategy, asset-liability management, internal controls, and financial infrastructure modernization.
When Humanidei, the firm supporting the national search, asked what orsa was seeking in its next chief financial officer, president and ceo Tansley Stearns described the role as “the headlights of the credit union.”
“Our rearview mirror matters, it sharpens our judgment. What moves us forward is clarity about what’s next,” Stearns said. “As orsa steps into its next chapter, our cfo will help us see around corners. She will illuminate the options, the exits, and the on-ramps, ensuring we navigate with precision and courage. We were looking for a leader with deep technical mastery and sleeves-rolled-up grit. We need a leader who can translate financial data into strategic insight, strengthen disciplined processes, and build sound internal controls that fuel sustainable growth. Shawn brings that clarity, partnership, and discipline.”
Throughout her career, Wolbert has aligned financial operations with a mission to strengthen infrastructure and support scalability, transparency, and innovation. She has led core system conversions, enhanced asset-liability management strategies, modernized compliance frameworks, and implemented financial controls that increased revenue while delivering measurable cost efficiencies.
“I’m energized by orsa’s vision and its commitment to sustainable, thoughtful growth,” Wolbert said. “Strong financial stewardship is about protecting what members have worked hard to build while positioning the organization to serve them well into the future. I look forward to building alongside this team and helping position orsa for what’s next.”
Wolbert most recently served as chairperson of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Credit Union Advisory Council, with her term concluding in March 2025. She is a Certified Internal Auditor and has been a featured speaker for the Credit Union National Association on regulatory compliance and operations. She remains committed to community impact through volunteer leadership with United Way and other nonprofit organizations. She holds an MBA from Spring Arbor University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western Michigan University.