Credit Union Network for Financial Literacy is honored to announce the addition of Gigi Hyland, Executive Director of The National Credit Union Foundation (the Foundation), to The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program Advisory Board. Gigi served as a Board member of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), the independent federal agency created by the U.S. Congress to regulate, charter, and supervise federal credit unions, and is the former Chairwoman of the NeighborWorks America Board. Gigi’s passion for financial literacy, commitment to the credit union movement, and superior leadership qualities make her an asset to the board.
“I’m excited to work with CUNFL and board members to help improve the financial literacy of the next generation of consumers,” said Gigi Hyland, Foundation Executive Director. “The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program is an engaging education and marketing initiative reaching thousands of elementary school students. I look forward to continuing the partnership with the Foundation and watching this impactful program grow exponentially.”
Gigi’s resume also boasts positions as Senior Vice President and General Counsel to Empire Corporate Federal Credit Union, Executive Director and Vice President of Corporate Credit Union Relations for the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) and Association of Corporate Credit Unions (ACCU), and Managing Partner of Hyland & Hyland.
“Gigi brings to CUNFL keen insight on financial literacy trends,” said Rick Durante, National Director of The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program. “In just a short time, our relationship with the Foundation has proven to be mutually beneficial, as we’ve been able to fill a niche in financial education for the youngest learners and the Foundation has introduced The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program to a host of credit unions.”
The Foundation and CUNFL have as their mission the promotion of both financial literacy and the value of credit union membership. The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program earned The National Credit Union Foundation’s endorsement in February 2016. Recognized as innovative and interactive, the program features the highly identifiable and trusted Berenstain Bears characters, which have been part of our culture for decades.
CUNFL is a credit union owned Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) with a national license for The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program. CUNFL offers the program and books in the Credit Union Financial Literacy Series exclusively to credit unions across the country. The Berenstain Bears Visit the Credit Union by Mike Berenstain and the credit union version of The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble With Money are part of this series.
Also on CUNFL’s Advisory Board are:
Mike Berenstain, President Berenstain Enterprises
Julie Ferguson, Owner, JRF Consulting Services, specializing in credit union growth
Guy Messick of Messick & Lauer, attorneys and counselors to credit unions and CUSOs
John D. Unangst, President & CEO Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union (FMFCU)
Rick Durante, Executive Director, FMFCU Foundation and National Director, The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program
