Surrey, B.C.: Coast Capital Savings has signed on accomplished credit union executive Helen Blackburn for the role of Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer. This appointment is part of Coast Capital’s commitment to delivering a superior member experience and positioning the organization for growth.
Blackburn has acted both as Senior Vice President, Strategy, and Chief Financial Officer for Central 1 Credit Union, the trade association that brings together credit unions across British Columbia and Ontario. A Chartered Professional Accountant with a Bachelor of Arts in Commerce from the University of Toronto, she has also held senior strategy and finance portfolios with Credential Financial and Northwest Investments.
Most recently, Blackburn served as Senior Vice President, Strategy and Analytics, for Pacific Blue Cross.
“Helen is a transformational leader with a track record of developing strategic, operational and financial plans that have enabled the B.C. and Ontario credit union system to capitalize on growth opportunities and increase member engagement,” said Don Coulter, Coast Capital’s president and CEO. “We are confident that her deep knowledge of the credit union sector and rich expertise in business strategy will advance Coast Capital’s mission of helping our members improve their financial well-being through simple financial help.”
“I have a strong affinity for the credit union system, so the opportunity to join one of the leading innovators in the credit union sector was irresistible,” Blackburn said. “Coast Capital has an exciting vision and I look forward to working with the team to further build on the organization’s culture of innovation.”
Blackburn’s community involvement includes serving on the Early Childhood Development Provincial Partnership and the B.C. Children’s Hospital (finance division). She has sat on the boards of several organizations, including Credential Financial, Central 1 Trust Company, Guardian Ethical Management, E-Comm 911 and the Fraser Health Authority. She will join the Coast Capital team on March 28, 2016.
Coast Capital Savings is Canada’s largest credit union by membership. A recipient of the 2015 “Outstanding Corporation” Giving Hearts Award, the credit union invested $5 million into local communities in 2015, focusing on empowering and engaging youth. Coast Capital is one of Canada's 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures™, a member of Canada's Best Managed Companies Platinum Club, and an Imagine Canada Caring Company. It has 50 branches serving its 522,000 members in the Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and Okanagan regions of British Columbia. Product innovations include Canada's first free chequing account from a full-service financial institution. To learn more, visit coastcapitalsavings.com.
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Coast Capital Media Line:
Phone number:778.391.6225
Email address: media@coastcapitalsavings.com