Cathie Tierney, president and CEO of Community First Credit Union, a $2.5 billion-asset institution based in Appleton, Wisc., was recognized for her efforts to promote financial literacy for more than two decades.
The Governor's Council on Financial Literacy bestowed its Legacy Award to Tierney, who first started working at Community First CU in October 1976 and took over as chief executive in 1994.
Under Tierney's leadership, Community First CU forged a partnership with the Appleton Area School District, including helping to develop a personal financial management course that is now a requirement for high school graduation. Community First also has supported classroom teachers by offering financial education simulations for more than 12 years. Those sessions have impacted more than 12,000 Appleton high school juniors and seniors, teaching them valuable life lessons about making smart money decisions. Tierney also led the way with helping to establish one of Wisconsin’s first student-run credit union branches, which since 2001 has given more than 600 students real-life financial industry work experience.
