Here’s a story that proves the value of working your way up from the ground floor. Police Credit Union of Connecticut (PCUCT) just announced that Melanie Strileckis—who started as a teller back in 2005—will step into the president and CEO role when current leader Wendy Tariff retires in May 2026.
And honestly? It’s kind of the perfect handoff.
A Legacy Worth Celebrating
Tariff has been running the show since July 2018, and her track record speaks volumes. Under her watch, PCUCT nearly doubled its assets from $23 million to $45 million. She orchestrated the merger with Waterbury Police Federal Credit Union (because sometimes bigger really is better), and led a complete rebrand from Greater Hartford Police Federal Credit Union to the more inclusive Police Credit Union of Connecticut. The new name better reflects their mission: serving law enforcement professionals and their families across the entire state, not just one corner of it.
The credit union world took notice, too. Tariff snagged the “Credit Union Rockstar” award from America’s Credit Unions in 2022—which is absolutely a real thing and exactly as cool as it sounds—plus the Distinguished Service Award from Connecticut’s Credit Unions in 2025.
“Wendy’s leadership has helped shape Police Credit Union of Connecticut into the strong, growing institution it is today,” said Claudette Kosinski, the Board Chair. “Her vision, dedication, and deep commitment to our members have left a lasting mark on this organization.”
Meet the New Boss
Enter Strileckis, who’s been managing the Waterbury branch and climbing the ranks for nearly two decades. Like Tariff, she started behind the teller window—proof that both leaders understand the member experience from the ground up. She’s earned her stripes with certifications including Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) and Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE), which basically means she knows her stuff when it comes to helping people manage their money.
“I am deeply honored by the confidence the Board has placed in me,” Strileckis said. “Following in Wendy’s footsteps is both humbling and inspiring. I care deeply about our members, our team, and the communities we serve, and I look forward to building on our strong foundation while continuing to grow our impact and leadership across Connecticut.”
Why This Matters
Leadership transitions can be rocky, but this one looks smooth as butter. The Board emphasized that promoting from within shows both continuity and momentum—fancy words that basically mean they’re not skipping a beat. Strileckis already knows the organization inside and out, understands the mission, and has the experience to keep pushing forward.
As for Tariff? She’s not disappearing entirely. She plans to stay connected to the credit union movement somehow, which makes sense given her obvious passion for the work.
“When I joined the credit union movement, I quickly realized I had found something special: a people-first, mission-driven model centered on helping others,” Tariff reflected. “I believe in the power of small credit unions to accomplish big things, and it has been an honor to help our law enforcement members improve their financial lives.”
So here’s to smooth transitions, internal promotions that actually work, and credit unions that put people before profits. May 2026 might seem far off, but something tells us PCUCT is in very capable hands for whatever comes next.