Longtime advocacy chief Ryan Donovan to depart CUNA

After serving as CUNA’s top lobbyist for more than 14 years, Ryan Donovan is moving on to become the new president/CEO of the Council of Federal Home Loan Banks in September.

As CUNA’s chief advocacy officer, Donovan was instrumental in securing high-profile legislative wins for the credit union movement including protecting the credit union tax status through four major tax battles, overseeing significant expansion of credit unions’ member business lending authority, and modernizing credit union governance.

“I am immensely proud of the work we’ve done together—CUNA, leagues, and credit unions—to ensure credit unions remain in a position to improve their members’ financial well-being and advance the communities they serve,” Donovan said. “And I leave confident that the momentum we have achieved will be sustained long into the future.”

“I have had the pleasure of working closely with Ryan, and his commitment to America’s credit unions has been unwavering,” CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle said in a prepared statement on Tuesday. “It is hard to lose such a staunch and tireless advocate, but I am so very proud of what Ryan has accomplished during his time at CUNA. I’m not going to lie—Ryan’s leaving behind some pretty big shoes to fill.”

“Ryan’s been a tireless advocate for the credit union system for many years, and he will truly be missed,” said Cornerstone League EVP/Chief Advocacy Officer Jim Phelps. “His political acumen will be an asset in his new role as CEO of the Council of Federal Home Loan Banks, and I wish him the very best.”    

Nussle said CUNA is using a national search firm to recruit and vet candidates for Donovan’s position.