Board of Directors
In 2024, our Board of Directors exemplified vision and dedication, operating as a strong team of 11 unique and independent individuals who have the shared goal of guiding StellerVista Credit Union through a landscape of opportunity and challenge. This diverse group brings together an exceptional blend of expertise and perspectives, critically shaping our strategic plans and future directions.
Throughout the year, the Board demonstrated high engagement, holding numerous meetings to refine our governance processes, develop strategic initiatives, and engage in specialized governance training. Their collaboration has been instrumental in steering our credit union towards continued growth and success.
Education remains a cornerstone of effective governance. Our directors completed 63 different courses in 2024, investing approximately $62,500 in their ongoing education and training. This commitment underscores our dedication to excellence and equips our Board to adeptly navigate the complexities of the financial industry.
This year, it is important to note that Barb Nunes and Leni Normington are retiring as planned, bringing our board to its strategic size of 9 members. This transition is part of our long-term governance strategy established pre-merger. Both Barb and Leni have offered years of invaluable service and leadership. Leni, having joined from Heritage Credit Union, brought profound insights, especially to our engagements in the Castlegar area and various cooperative councils. Barb, representing the Sparwood area and the Elk Valley, provided critical financial oversight with her CPA expertise. Their contributions have been pivotal to our achievements and will continue to influence our operations moving forward.
As we progress, the Board’s foresight and unified approach will remain vital in navigating the evolving financial landscape, ensuring StellerVista remains at the forefront of community banking.
Board Highlights
In a year of robust professional development and international engagement, StellerVista’s Board of Directors demonstrated their commitment to excellence and continuous learning:
- Joleen Kinakin and Denine Milner both completed the Institute of Corporate Directors – Directors Education Program, enhancing their governance expertise.
- Leni Normington and Larry Bomak successfully passed their Accreditation Examination with the Canadian Credit Union Association, affirming their dedication to upholding the highest standards of credit union governance.
- Norm Fraser completed his CCUA Level A courses, further deepening his understanding of the credit union system’s operational and strategic facets.
- Lynnette Wray, Larry Bomak, and José Galdamez attended the 2024 CCUA National Conference in Calgary.
- Leni Normington, George Freitag, and José Galdamez represented StellerVista at the World Credit Union Conference in Boston, MA, USA, gaining valuable insights and fostering international connections that reinforce our global perspective on credit union management and services.
These achievements reflect our Board’s ongoing efforts to lead StellerVista with informed, strategic, and globally aware governance practices.
2024 Board Milestones
- Completion of Stabilization Central’s Governance Toolkit – including overview of agendas and minutes, full board assessments, review of communications, orientation and onboarding materials.
- Completion of the Governance Studio Evaluation and Training – May 2024 – focusing on assessment of board cohesiveness, overall governance oversight including policies, processes and materials.
- Completion of the Deloitte Business Chemistry Assessment and Training – September 2024 – focusing on further developing board culture, communication and team building.
Director Information
| Name | Community | Committees | Board Meetings | Committee Meetings | Subsidiary and representative Meetings | Remuneration |
| LYNNETTE WRAY (Chair) | Cranbrook | As Chair, Lynnette is an ex officio, non-voting member of all committees | 17 / 17 | 1 / 1 | 0 / 0 | $17,080.00 |
| JOLEEN KINAKIN (Vice-Chair) | Castlegar | Governance Committee (Chair), Executive Committee, Nominations Committee, Director of 398329 BC Ltd., Growth Financial (Chair) | 17 / 17 | 12 / 12 | 7 / 7 | $12,790.00 |
| JOSE GALDAMEZ | Cranbrook | Executive Committee, Audit Committee, Investment & Loan Committee, Board Risk Committee, Director for EK Property Holdings Ltd | 17 / 17 | 12 / 12 | 0 / 0 | $13,080.00 |
| LENI NORMINGTON | Castlegar | Conduct Review Committee (Chair), Board Risk Committee, Governance Committee, Upper Columbia Cooperative Council Representative, BC Cooperative Association Representative | 17 / 17 | 9 / 9 | 8 / 8 | $10,080.00 |
| LARRY BOMAK | Castlegar | Audit Committee (Chair), Investment & Loan Committee, Board Risk Committee, Director for Kootenay Insurance Services Ltd. (KIS), Director for Growth Financial | 17 / 17 | 5 / 8 | 10 / 10 | $10,080.00 |
| SEAN SILVERSON | Slocan Valley | Governance Committee, Conduct Review Committee, Nominations Committee, Director for EK Property Holdings Ltd | 15 / 17 | 7 / 10 | 0 / 0 | $9,790.00 |
| DARLA ASHTON | West Boundary | Investment & Loan Committee (Chair), Audit Committee, Board Risk Committee, President of 398329 BC Ltd., Peer Group 3 Representative | 17 / 17 | 14 / 14 | 15 / 15 | $10,080.00 |
| GEORGE FREITAG | Cranbrook | Board Risk Committee (Chair), Conduct Review Committee, Audit Committee, Director for MoneyWorks | 17 / 17 | 11 / 11 | 5 / 5 | $9,790.00 |
| BARB NUNES | Elk Valley | Conduct Review Committee (Chair), Investment & Loan Committee, Audit Committee, Director for Growth Financial | 16 / 17 | 10 / 10 | 5 / 5 | $9,790.00 |
| DENINE MILNER | Cranbrook | Nominations Committee (Chair), Conduct Review Committee, Director for EK Property Holdings Ltd | 17 / 17 | 12 / 13 | 0 / 0 | $9790.00 |
| NORM FRASER (May 2 to Dec 31) | Elk Valley | Governance Committee, Nominations Committee | 10 / 10 | 3 / 3 | 0 / 0 | $9,500.00 |
| JEAN-ANN DEBRECENI(Jan 1-May 1) | Cranbrook | Governance Committee, Audit Committee | 7 / 7 | 5 / 5 | 0 / 0 | $2,834.00 |