At Advia, we are proud to celebrate women around the world. As we acknowledge Women's History Month this March, it's a perfect opportunity to explore the remarkable contributions of two highly influential women in the credit union movement and to take a moment to reflect on some of the women here at Advia.
A Short History
March was first named Women’s History Month in 1987, according to the National Women’s History Museum. It's truly remarkable to have a dedicated time to honor and celebrate the extraordinary achievements and contributions of women throughout history. You can learn more about Women’s History Month here.
Historical Icons: Women of the Credit Union Movement
The impact of women on shaping the credit union movement throughout history is undeniable, and we are proud to pause and honor a couple of remarkable individuals. Below, we offer a glimpse into the lives of two determined, driven, and committed women who have left a lasting influence.
- Louise Herring (1909-1987): As explained in the article “Louse and Dora: Credit Union Pioneers” by How Do You C.U. – a collection of work compiled by various experts in the financial industry – Herring was an Ohio native and University of Cincinnati business graduate who began organizing credit unions at only 23 years old.
Herring, an employee of Kroger at the time, established 13 volunteer-run credit unions to aid Kroger employees in obtaining loans. Despite her youth, Herring played a significant role in founding the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) at the 1934 Estes Park conference. As the first director of the Ohio Credit Union League, she facilitated over 500 credit unions statewide while raising five children, earning her the title "Mother of Credit Unions." - Dora Maxwell (1897 – 1985): Maxwell, another original signer of the CUNA constitution at Estes Park, was doing similar work to Herring but on the East Coast, as explained in the "How Do You C.U." article. Through her efforts, including facing down big banks bent on curtailing credit union growth, Maxwell was able to secure charters for hundreds of credit unions across the country.
Celebrating Women’s Impact at Advia
At Advia, we’ve been so fortunate to have numerous female leaders impact Advia's growth and financial soundness over the years. Throughout our organization, from frontline roles to management, we are proud to have a diverse representation of women employees. Across our 28 branches spanning Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois, an impressive two-thirds of leadership positions—including managers and operational support—are held by women. Furthermore, our volunteer Board of Directors includes three accomplished women, including:
- Donna Kalmeta, Board Chair: Kalmeta has been a member of our Board since 2008 and was appointed Chair during our Annual Meeting in February 2024. With a profound influence in the Port Huron, MI area, she co-owned Prime Office Innovations for 16 years.
- Nicole Kalmbach, Secretary: Kalmbach currently serves as our Board Secretary and has been a board member since 2009. She held the position of Board Chair from 2020 to 2023. Kalmbach brings over 15 years of experience from her employer Western Michigan University, focusing on business and finance.
- Dr. Grace Lubwama, Director: Dr. Lubwama joined Advia’s Board in 2023 as a dedicated Director. She serves as the President and CEO of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and previously led as CEO of YWCA Kalamazoo for nearly a decade.
Sources:
National History Museum: https://www.womenshistory.org/womens-history/womens-history-month
How Do You C.U: https://howdoyoucu.togethercu.org/blog/2019/3/25/louise-and-dora-credit-union-pioneers