Building Stronger Communities with Arizona Credit Unions
In this episode of Phoenix Business RadioX, host Karen Nowicki welcomes back leaders from several Arizona credit unions to discuss the growth of Arizona Credit Union Week. The representatives Monica Meyerand of OneAZ Credit Union; Brian Lee of Landings Credit Union; David Krexel of Arizona Financial Credit Union and Mike Waldron of TruWest Credit Union explain how their collaborative effort, called “co-opetition,” promotes keeping financial resources local and reinvesting in their communities. They highlight the success of the initiative, which aligns with International Credit Union Day, and its expansion to include 11 credit unions.
The conversation shifts to financial literacy and education, with credit unions offering programs like Bonsai and My First Nest Egg to teach youth about money management. The guests share personal stories about their careers, emphasizing the community-centered values of credit unions and inviting local businesses to join their initiative. They express excitement about the future of Arizona Credit Union Week and its potential to grow even more next year. 
Listen to this enlightening episode and learn more!
Arizona Credit Union week shines a spotlight on the many ways credit unions empower financial independence, strengthen local economies, and serve as a force for good in neighborhoods and communities across Arizona.
Monica Meyerand is OneAZ Credit Union’s VP of Brand and Acquisition, where she builds strategic alliances for corporate partnerships. Monica has over 20 years in marketing, branding, traditional & digital media, public relations, and advertising agency experience.
Monica stays active in the community and recently was appointed to the Board of Directors of Girl Scouts – Arizona Cactus Pine, an organization that helps girls reach their potential and creates a place for growth, character, and leadership.
Monica is also involved as a member with ACEL, National Charity League, Phoenix Chapter, State Forty Eight Foundation, and Young & Empowered.
Connect with Monica on LinkedIn.
Brian Lee is the Chief Executive Officer for Landings Credit Union in Tempe, AZ. He had previously served as the credit union’s Chief Financial Officer. He graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Accounting and worked for a public accounting firm as an auditor. He then became involved with credit unions working for the National Credit Union Administration as a Principal Examiner.
He is a Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) and has served as a member of several boards and committees on the national and regional level, focusing on credit union leadership development and advocacy. Brian was recently recognized at the Arizona Advocate of the Year by the GoWest Credit Union Association.
He has contributed at several events as a speaker, facilitator, and panelist covering diverse topics. Brian is active in his community as a graduate of both the Tempe Leadership and ASU Leadership programs and currently serves on local non-profit boards and committees.
Follow Landings Credit Union on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
Arizona Financial is a $3.3 billion not-for-profit financial cooperative providing consumer and small business banking services and expertise to more than 165,000 member/owners.
Founded in Arizona in 1936, the credit union empowers members to take hold of their financial future through the delivery of leading-edge self-service tools and mobile apps, competitive rates on loans and deposits, robust home loan solutions, identity protection services, and SBA and commercial loans.
Arizona Financial has a history of local community involvement and is the sponsor of the LiveNation Theatre venue and exclusive credit union partner of the Phoenix Rising FC. The credit union has 20 locations across Metro Phoenix and western Arizona and is part of the CO-OP network that provides members nationwide account access at 5,000 credit union branches and 30,000 ATMs.
Deposits are federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.
David Kexel is the Director of Brand and Communications for Arizona Financial Credit Union.
He has over 25 years of marketing experience and oversees Arizona Financial’s marketing communications, social media, public relations, and partnership programs.
He is a native of Wisconsin but has called Arizona home for more than 30 years.
Follow Arizona Financial on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
TruWest® Credit Union is headquartered in Tempe, Ariz. and operates as a cooperative providing its members with a lifetime of quality financial services and a culture of caring for its organization, employees and communities.
TruWest is a strong and sound financial institution with more than 90,000 members and assets totaling more than $1.8 billion. TruWest Credit Union has 11 branch locations—eight in metro Phoenix and three in Austin, Texas.
Mike Waldron is the Vice President of Marketing at TruWest Credit Union.
He has been with TruWest for over eight years and has more than 20 years of marketing experience, including marketing management, strategy, public relations, and community development.
Prior to joining TruWest, Mike worked in the hospitality and health benefits industries.
Mike holds a Master of Business Administration from Arizona State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing Communications from Brigham Young University.
Follow TruWest® Credit Union on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Thomas Barr is the Executive Director for 
