OUR HISTORY
NLCUP was founded in 2006 by a group of Latinx professionals who saw the need for a dedicated space to uplift and support Latinx leaders in the credit union industry. What started as an intimate gathering among friends has now grown into a thriving grassroots organization shaping the future of financial leadership for Latinx and allies.
2006 – NLCUP is founded by Maria J. Martinez, Carlos R. Calderon, Pablo DeFilippi, Larry Garcia, Carla Decker, Luis Caballero, and Winona Nava.
2020 – Became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and hired our first part-time Executive Director, Diana Hastings.
2022- Hired our first full-time Executive Director, Barbara Mojica.
2023 – Hired our first Program Director and welcomed new board members Vanessa Kuduk, Kenia Calderon Ceron, Leslie Jenkins, and Lydia Lozano.
2024 – Hosted the first NLCUP Conference after a 12 year hiatus, expanded to two full-time & one part-time employees, and welcomed Carol Rose to the board.
2025 – Grew to three full-time & two part-time employees.
NLCUP addresses critical gaps in the industry by:
Providing professional development and mentorship tailored to Latinx professionals.
Advocating for Latinx voices in key industry spaces like GAC, Inclusiv, AACUC, and more.
Creating a strong community for networking, learning, and leadership growth.
Fostering a transformative membership experience and expanding our reach, NLCUP is building a future where Latinx professionals thrive and lead.
OUR TEAM
Barbara Mojica
Executive Director
Nahibi Kauffman-Maldonado
Programs Director
Xochitl Campuzano
Marketing Specialist
Mayren Rancifer
Member Engagement Specialist
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Maria J. Martinez
NLCUP Chairwoman, President/CEO at Border FCU
Maria J. Martinez leads Border Federal Credit Union, a CDFI based in Del Rio, TX, with $240M in assets and over 27,000 members. With a background in accounting and a CUDE designation, Maria is passionate about service, financial wellness, and uplifting underserved communities.
She serves on numerous national boards, including as Chairwoman of NLCUP, Secretary of CUWLA, and Chair of CUNA Strategic Services. Maria is also involved with Inclusiv’s Juntos Avanzamos Advisory Committee and Velera’s Board, among others.
Her leadership has earned her many honors, including the Herb Wegner Memorial Award, the Anne Vamper Helping Hands Award, and recognition in the “Credit Union Women Making History” exhibit. A proud advocate for the Hispanic community, Maria continues to champion financial inclusion across the credit union movement.
Pablo DeFilippi
NLCUP Vice-Chairman, Executive Vice-President at Inclusiv
Pablo DeFilippi is Executive VP at Inclusiv, a CDFI intermediary and national association supporting 500+ credit unions serving low-income, underserved communities. The network represents nearly 19 million members and $250 billion in assets.
With over 25 years of experience in community finance, Pablo has led major initiatives to expand access to affordable, responsible financial services—especially for communities of color. Originally from Chile, he previously served as CEO of the Lower East Side People’s FCU and led international remittance work with WOCCU.
Pablo is a recognized voice in financial inclusion, DEI, and community development. He’s a founding member and Vice Chair of NLCUP, and has received honors including the DEI Trailblazer Award and recognition as one of Wisconsin’s most influential Latino leaders.
He holds degrees from Universidad de Chile and Pace University, is a CUDE (U.S. and UK), and is currently pursuing a DEI Certificate from Cornell. Based in Madison, WI, he also liaises with major credit union organizations and serves on multiple national boards and councils.
Kenia Calderon Ceron
NLCUP Second Vice-Chairwoman, SVP of Impact and Growth, Seattle Credit Union
For the last ten years, Kenia has helped credit unions grow and remain relevant by reaching underserved markets. From facilitating strategic growth planning to overseeing implementation, she has been instrumental in expanding financial access to immigrant and refugee communities.
A native of El Salvador, Kenia has been a tireless advocate for immigrant communities and their financial well-being. At Seattle Credit Union, she is leading the market expansion and community impact efforts across Washinton State. During her tenure at GreenState Credit Union, Kenia led efforts to grow membership among immigrant and refugee consumers across its footprint. As a consultant, she worked closely with credit union leadership teams, guiding them through strategic planning processes and serving as a trusted advisor. Her expertise in compliant financial inclusion programs and market expansion has helped financial institutions better serve diverse communities.
She holds a Master of Business Administration from Drake University and has been recognized for her leadership with multiple awards, including Credit Union Times' 2022 Rising Star and Des Moines Business Record’s 40 Under 40.
Max Villaronga
NLCUP Secretary, President/CEO at Raiz FCU
Since 2014, Max Villaronga has led Raiz Federal Credit Union, a $1B institution with 10 branches and 72,000+ members. With a background that includes service in the U.S. Marine Corps and corporate roles at The Home Depot, Max brings a diverse leadership perspective to the credit union movement.
At Raiz, he has cultivated a culture rooted in dignity, belonging, and accessibility. Under his leadership, Raiz has expanded community lending, introduced inclusive digital tools and savings products, and launched a nonprofit foundation to further support underserved communities. Max champions DEI as both a moral imperative and strategic advantage.
A graduate of Texas A&M and UT Dallas, he is also a Certified Chief Executive and Credit Union Development Educator. Max serves on multiple boards, including as Secretary of NLCUP, Chair of the Underserved Communities Foundation, and Chair-Elect of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra Board.
Ruby Alvarez
NLCUP Treasurer, Vice President of Community Development at GECU
Ruby Alvarez is the Vice President of Community Development at GECU, where she’s served for over 27 years. Starting her career straight out of high school, Ruby worked her way through roles in operations, lending, and community outreach while earning her BBA and MBA from the University of Texas at El Paso.
A lifelong El Paso resident, Ruby brings deep insight into the region’s needs. She currently serves as Executive Director of El Paso Affordable Housing and leads the GECU VITA Coalition, building vital partnerships to provide free tax prep services and financial education to underserved communities.
Ruby also serves on national and regional boards, including as Treasurer of NLCUP, a member of the CDFI Texas Network, and on committees for the Cornerstone Credit Union Foundation. Her work is grounded in a commitment to financial empowerment and community collaboration.
Larry Garcia
NLCUP Director, Retired Credit Union Staff/Volunteer
Larry Garcia brings over 36 years of experience in credit unions and community development. He currently serves as Director of Lending and Asset Management at NALCAB, a national CDFI membership organization. A lifelong El Pasoan with a BBA and MBA from UTEP, Larry has led numerous initiatives in affordable housing, small business lending, and financial education.
He previously held leadership roles at GECU, Mountain Star FCU, and El Paso Credit Union Affordable Housing. Larry has advised federal agencies including HUD, the IRS, and Fannie Mae, and has received national and state recognition for his contributions to financial inclusion and community service.
Vicky Garcia
NLCUP Director, President & CEO at Latino Community Credit Union
Vicky Garcia is the President & CEO of Latino Community Credit Union (LCCU), the nation’s leading credit union focused on serving Latino and immigrant communities. With over two decades of experience in the financial services sector, Vicky has dedicated her career to advancing economic inclusion and building innovative, mission-driven strategies that meet the evolving needs of underserved populations.
Since stepping into the CEO role in 2023, Vicky has led LCCU through its most significant operational transformation, successfully transitioning the organization’s back office, onboarding over 80 vendors, and growing the team by more than 100 employees. Under her leadership, LCCU has laid a new foundation to expand, while maintaining a strong focus on its members and mission.
Prior to becoming CEO, Vicky served as LCCU’s Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Risk Management, playing a pivotal role in the organization’s growth to over $900 million in assets. She built critical departments—including Operations, Strategy, and Risk Management—and led teams across compliance, IT, internal audit, business intelligence and was responsible for evaluating and coordinating branch locations and expansion efforts. Her work has consistently combined strategic vision, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to community impact.
In addition to her executive leadership, Vicky serves on several nonprofit boards, including as Secretary of the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) and a board member of Durham Next. She previously held leadership roles with Habitat for Humanity of Durham, the Museum of Durham History, Self-Help Credit Union, and the NC Community Foundation.
Vicky holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School and a BS in Industrial Engineering from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia. She also completed a certificate in Nonprofit Governance from Harvard Business School. With eight years of banking experience in her native Colombia, before joining LCCU, she brings a well-rounded perspective to her work. Vicky's dedication to LCCU dates back to 2003, reflecting her long-standing commitment to the credit union and its mission.
Leslie Jenkins
NLCUP Director, Associate Executive Vice President of Learning and Organizational Development at SECU
Leslie Jenkins is the Associate Executive Vice President of Learning and Organizational Development for the second largest credit union in the United States, headquartered in Raleigh, NC. State Employees’ Credit Union employs more than 7,000 individuals, $53 billion in assets and 2.6 million members. Leslie’s responsibilities include producing staff development programs that support cultural transformation and accelerate strategic initiatives.
Leslie has a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Liberty University, and she holds the Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) designation. She is also an active member of the African American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC). Prior to joining SECU, Leslie worked in the credit union fin-tech space leading the areas of Lending, Marketing and Strategic Business Growth.
As a new Executive Director of NLCUP’s Board of Directors, Leslie is excited to bring her passion for education and advocacy of under-represented populations to ensure they are positioned to support the credit union industry now and in the future.
Vanessa Kuduk
NLCUP Director, Vice President Of Lending at Members Credit Union
Vanessa Kuduk is Vice President of Lending and Hispanic Outreach at Members Credit Union, where she has led the development of inclusive financial services for nearly two decades. An immigrant from Peru, she created and manages MCU’s Hispanic Services program, ITIN lending initiatives, and financial education efforts.
A CUDE, ICUDE, and certified financial counselor, Vanessa is passionate about financial empowerment and community advocacy. She serves on the boards of the Hispanic Advisory Council of Greater Stamford and the Credit Union League of Connecticut, and frequently speaks at national credit union events. Outside of work, she enjoys dancing, giving back through Zumba fundraisers, and spending time with her family.
Lydia Lozano
NLCUP Director, Account Executive at TruStage
Lydia Lozano has served the credit union movement for over 25 years and is currently an Account Executive at TruStage, where she supports approximately 40 credit unions across Texas and New Mexico. She began her career at TruStage (formerly CUNA Mutual Group) in 1998, working in wealth management before transitioning into product and account management roles.
Since 2009, Lydia has been the primary point of contact for her partner credit unions, bringing a deep understanding of collateral protection products, member solutions, and strategic growth support. She is licensed in Life, Health, Property & Casualty in both Texas and New Mexico and is a proud Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE), Class of 2018. She is also a five-time President’s Council qualifier.
Based in Houston since immigrating to the U.S. in 1980, Lydia is a proud mom to two sons, a big sister, and a dog mom to Apollo. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, running, and staying active. Guided by her belief in inclusion and service, Lydia is deeply committed to the mission of credit unions and the communities they serve.
Winona Nava
NLCUP Director, Retired President/CEO of Guadalupe Credit Union
Winona Nava became President/CEO of Guadalupe Credit Union (GCU) in 1991, guiding it out of conservatorship and growing it from $10 million to over $215 million in assets. Under her leadership, GCU has become a leader in Northern New Mexico for serving low-wealth communities and providing financial education. The credit union earned CDFI certification in 2011 and the Juntos Avanzamos designation in 2015.
Winona is a national voice for inclusive banking and is especially known for championing services for individuals with ITINs. She is a firm believer in the cooperative spirit of credit unions and actively shares GCU’s knowledge and resources with peers across New Mexico.
Carol Rose
NLCUP Advisory Board Member, Executive VP of Member Service Operations, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
Carol Rose is the Executive Vice President of Member Service Operations at SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in California and fourth largest in the nation, with more than 1.4 million Members and over $30 billion in assets.
Carol is responsible for the operational management and service delivery of the credit union, in addition to leading over 1,600 team members across multiple operation centers and over 70 branches statewide. She is passionate about team development and creating an engaging culture of coaching and inclusion for her teams, where every teammember can evolve into the best version of themselves.
Carol is an MBA Candidate 2025 at USC’s Marshall School of Business and has a BA in Economics from UC Santa Cruz. She also holds her FINRA Series 7, 24, 66, California Life & Disability Insurance License and is a graduate of Western CUNA Management School. Carol currently serves on the board of Comunidad Latina Federal Credit Union (CLFCU). She resides in Anaheim Hills with her husband Steve and two young boys, Stevie and Sebastian. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and watching her boys play baseball.
