ONTARIO, Calif.–California’s Credit Unions has named Lucy Ito as its interim CEO, effective Oct. 20. The organization said Ito will lead it as it searches for a new CEO to replace Scott Simpson, who will exit on Oct. 31 to become the new president and CEO of America’s Credit Unions.
Korn Ferry is handling the search, along with the league’s search committee.
Ito is well-known to many and has more than 35 years of experience in the global credit union system, having served in leadership roles at the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU), the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, and as president and CEO of the National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors (NASCUS).
She most recently served as Interim president and CEO of Orange County’s Credit Union from 2022 to 2023 as it went through a leadership transition.
Career Honors
During her career Ito was honored with the National Credit Union Foundation’s Herb Wegner Memorial Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement, the California Credit Union League’s Leo H. Shapiro Lifetime Achievement Award, and was inducted into the America’s Credit Union Museum Hall of Fame in the “Women Making Credit Union History, Herstory” exhibit.
“Stepping in to serve the League during this time of transition is both an honor and a privilege,” said Ito in a statement. “I look forward to supporting the League’s dedicated team and continuing our mission of strengthening credit unions and the members they serve.”
‘Deep Understanding’
Added Donna Bland, board chair of California’s Credit Unions and president and CEO for Golden 1 Credit Union, in a statement: “Lucy’s leadership experience and deep understanding of the credit union system make her the ideal choice to guide the League during this transition. Her long-standing commitment to advancing the credit union movement, both nationally and globally, will ensure stability and continued progress as we move forward.”
