Satie Smith is first black woman Appointed CEO of Diversified Members Credit Union, one of Detroit’s oldest financial institutions.
Smith, 53, was appointed to his new role in early November, according to a news release. She replaces former CEO Kathy Trembath, who served as her mentor and retired after nearly 20 years with the organization.
As the newly appointed CEO of Diversified Member Credit Union (DMCU), Sati Smith’s journey is one of unwavering strength and unyielding perseverance as the first Black woman to hold this prestigious position .https://t.co/V1AyEZyGwH
— Michigan Chronicle (@MIChronicle) November 26, 2023
“This is a huge accomplishment not only for me and my family, but for the entire community,” Smith said in a news release statement. “This work sends a strong message to women and other minorities that we can break the glass ceiling. We can achieve what we want to achieve. I sincerely hope that it will inspire others.”
Established in 1929, with diverse members credit union The company has never appointed a Black woman as CEO in its 94-year history, according to a news release.
“Sati’s promotion marks the beginning of new goals and heights in her career, and the beginning of a new chapter for DMCU,” said David H. Brooks, Chairman of the Diversified Membership Credit Union Board of Directors. III said in a news release statement. “The Board of Directors is proud of Sati’s accomplishments. We know her to be a great leader and role model, and we look forward to her future leadership and innovative efforts. Masu.”
Smith recently said: fox 2 detroit About her position and how she has come a long way by overcoming many hardships in life.
“I was on welfare and a single mother,” Smith said. “If you keep working hard, harness your passion, and have that drive, you will succeed. Never give up.”
Fox 2 reported that Smith was 26 years old when her father took out a car loan for her. She then met Trembath and he encouraged her to achieve more for herself. After receiving her car, she went back to school and obtained the qualifications she needed to get promoted.
The 53-year-old worked her way up through the ranks while raising her daughter, now 31 and working as a loan processor for the organization.
“You want to encourage kids to achieve things, so you have to be a role model, and that’s what I tried to do,” Smith said, according to Fox 2. She said, “I think Kathy saw something in me. I think she saw something in me that I didn’t see at that time.”
