JACKSON, Miss.–Hope Credit Union has named Cassandra Williams as president, while Hope Enterprise Corp. has selected Ed Sivak to lead the organization.
Bill Bynum, well-known to many in credit unions, will continue to serve as HOPE’s chief executive officer.
As president of the $682.8-million Hope Credit Union, Williams will oversee HOPE’s retail, mortgage, commercial and community and economic development operations. Williams joined HOPE in 1999 as a commercial loan officer in the Mississippi Delta.
Since then, Hope CU said she has served in several key roles, “stewarding HOPE’s entry into Memphis, ultimately becoming regional administrator for HOPE’s largest retail market. Most recently, as chief lending officer, Williams provided executive guidance for commercial, small business and community facilities lending, and New Markets Tax Credits financing, leading HOPE to the highest levels of production and impact in the organization’s history.”
Active in Community
A native of Clarksdale, Miss., Williams has represented HOPE on several boards and committees, including the Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Community Advisory Committee. She holds a Master’s in business administration from Delta State University.
“In 2024, HOPE launched an ambitious strategy to increase the rates of Deep South banking access, homeownership and business ownership to national levels,” said Williams in a statement. “With that plan as our roadmap, I look forward to ensuring that people throughout the Deep South, particularly those on the margins, have the resources needed to realize their potential.”
Sivak to Lead Hope Enterprise
In his role as president of Hope Enterprise Corporation, Sivak will lead teams responsible for investor relations, human assets, communications, advocacy and corporate administration.
The organization said Sivak joined HOPE in 2001, after serving as a summer intern.
“In his early years, Sivak provided project management for several important initiatives, including a collaborative that generated $125 million for community development in the Delta, and another project that supported post-hurricane Katrina business recovery in New Orleans,” the organization said. “Sivak organized the Hope Policy Institute, reinforcing HOPE’s ability to extract data from its programs to influence policies and practices that affect Deep South residents.”
Numerous Community Roles
In addition to representing HOPE on local, state and federal policy matters, Sivak serves on the board of Inclusiv and is president of the Jackson Public School Board.
A former member of the Federal Reserve Board Consumer Advisory Council, Sivak holds a Ph.D. in public policy and administration from Jackson State University and a Master’s in public policy from Georgetown University.
“Throughout its history, HOPE has achieved its greatest impact when it collaborated with private industry, philanthropy and nonprofit organizations, helping our neighbors navigate the most difficult of circumstances” said Sivak in a statement. “I look forward to serving in this new role and continuing HOPE’s legacy of importing resources into the region’s communities most in need, ensuring all people have the opportunity to thrive.”
Deploying Funds
In 2024, HOPE reported it deployed more than $210 million to finance community development across the Deep South, exceeding its previous high mark by $40 million.
“As a result, Hope Credit Union led the nation in the rate of loan growth among its peer group of credit unions with assets between $500 million and $1 billion. HOPE’s net worth ratio ranked third nationally, an indicator of strong financial stability,” it said.
