MARLBOROUGH, Mass.–St. Mary’s Credit Union said that “effectively immediately,” Jim Petkewich has been named president and CEO, succeeding Grace Lee, who will be leaving the credit union on July 1.
Lee has been CEO for less than a year, having been named to lead St. Mary’s CU in August 2025. Before joining St. Mary’s Credit Union, Lee served as Eastern Massachusetts regional president and group lead of New England government banking at M&T Bank.
The $1-billion credit union did not provide a reason for the departure, which comes at the same time St. Mary’s CU is seeking to merge with MetroWest Credit Union. SMCU reported Q1 net income of $486,632, with net worth of 11.42%. The CU Daily has separate reporting on the merger with MetroWest, which will operate under the St. Mary’s CU brand.
More Than Two Decades of Experience
Petkewich brings more than 20 years of experience with SMCU, most recently serving as EVP and COO with St. Mary’s. He also previously served as interim CEO and has “led virtually every area of the credit union, providing deep operational knowledge and a strong understanding of the organization’s strategy and member-focused mission,” the credit union said in a statement.
“Jim is the right leader for this moment,” Board Chair Brian Bouvier said in a statement. “He brings deep institutional knowledge, a steady and thoughtful leadership style, and a genuine commitment to our employees and members. The Board has full confidence in his ability to lead St. Mary’s Credit Union as we continue to build on our strong foundation and navigate this next chapter.”
‘Honored’ by Role
“I am honored to step into the role of president and CEO of St. Mary’s Credit Union,” added Petkewich in a statement. “This organization means so much to me—not just because of the work we do, but because of the people who make it possible every day. I deeply believe in our mission and the impact we have on our members and the communities we serve. I look forward to leading the team as we continue to focus on delivering exceptional service.”
