February 06, 2025 — The African American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) is pleased to announce the launch of its new scholarship to support executive leadership development for professionals within the credit union industry. This scholarship will enable one outstanding executive annually to attend Humanedge, a transformative leadership development experience for C-Suite Leaders.
The first recipient of this scholarship is Jimese Harkley, Senior Vice President and Chief Community Engagement Officer at Harborstone Credit Union. With 20 years of experience in the credit union industry, Jimese has been a tireless advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and her leadership in community engagement has set a new standard for how credit unions can positively impact their local communities.
“We are incredibly proud to offer this scholarship as part of our ongoing commitment to empowering diverse leaders within the credit union industry,” said Renee Sattiewhite, President and CEO of the African-American Credit Union Coalition. “Jimese Harkley is a perfect example of the kind of visionary leadership we aim to support. Her dedication to community and to the values of credit unions make her an ideal first recipient of this scholarship. We believe the Humanedge program will provide her with even more tools and insight to further her impact.”
The Humanedge program, offered by Humanidei and Hofheimer Strategy Advisors, is designed to cultivate leadership excellence, focusing on strategies for fostering inclusive workplace cultures and driving sustainable change within organizations. The scholarship will cover the cost of attending the program and provide Jimese with the opportunity to engage with a network of forward-thinking leaders across the industry.
“Jimese Harkley is an exceptional leader, and we are thrilled to have her as the first recipient of this scholarship,” said Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. “The Humanedge program is built on the belief that leadership is a key driver of positive organizational change. We are excited to see how Jimese’s participation will elevate this program and look forward to the incredible work she will continue to do after its completion.”
The AACUC is dedicated to advancing leadership opportunities for professionals of color in the credit union industry. This scholarship is one of the many initiatives AACUC is rolling out to ensure that diverse voices are represented at every level of leadership in the credit union system.
For more information on the AACUC or the Humanedge program, please visit www.aacuc.org or www.humanidei.com.
