Numerous women in America often face two challenges in life: succeeding in business and maintaining a family. Finding balance can be daunting. In this Women's History Month edition of "Washtenaw United," WEMU's David Fair talks with Tiffany Ford, president and CEO of the University of Michigan Credit Union, about her experience and the work to create better futures and more balance for members of her team.
WEMU has partnered with the United Way of Washtenaw County to explore the people, organizations, and institutions creating opportunity and equity in our area. And, as part of this ongoing series, you’ll also hear from the people benefiting and growing from the investments being made in the areas of our community where there are gaps in available services. It is a community voice. It is 'Washtenaw United.'
ABOUT TIFFANY FORD:
Tiffany Ford is President and CEO of the University of Michigan Credit Union (UMCU), a $1.2 billion credit union with over 105,000 members from the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, and the community. She joined the University of Michigan Credit Union team in 2011. Under Tiffany’s leadership, UMCU has received many awards, including Detroit Free Press Top Workplace, and Best & Brightest Companies to Work For. Tiffany is the recipient of the Michigan Credit Union League 2017 Professional of the Year Award.
From 2000 – 2011, Ford served in senior management at Michigan State University Federal Credit Union in various roles, including Assistant Vice President of Internal Audit, Vice President of Contact Center, Vice President of Finance and Executive Vice President. As Executive Vice President, she was responsible for areas including; lending, payment services, collections, cards, ATM’s support services and finance.
Ford began her career in August 1998 as a staff auditor for public accounting firm Plante Moran. She held this position for two years and obtained her certification as a public accountant.
Ford earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Michigan State University in 1998; she also holds a Master’s of Business Administration degree from Michigan State University, which she earned in 2006.
A native of Detroit, Michigan, Tiffany is the wife of Damon Ford and mother of three children, Isabella, Gabrielle, and Darius. Tiffany also is an active member of Word in Action Christian Center. She enjoys gathering with family and friends, learning, teaching, teamwork, and sports.
RESOURCES:
University of Michigan Credit Union
AC&E 2018: MCUL CU Professional of the Year
UWWC STATEMENT:
United Way of Washtenaw County recognizes the importance of supporting women and their careers thereby making the connection of financial stability and meeting basic needs. We are developing strategies to positively impact the economic mobility of our citizens.
United Way of Washtenaw County awards Power of the Purse grants annually as part of its Financial Stability Initiative. These grants provide support for programs, projects or initiatives that prioritize the financial wellbeing of people who identify as women, individuals and families with low incomes, communities of color, and historically and/or systematically marginalized groups.
This year’s investments were made to women of color led organizations who are helping women and families maintain their financial stability and meet their basic needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Food security, K-12 education supports, and wraparound supports are the types of services prioritized for funding.
UWWC recognizes the importance of financial stability and meeting basic needs and the connection to supporting women and their careers.
An outstanding example is The Women’s Center of Southeastern Michigan, funded by UWWC’s Community Recovery fund. Their program, Workforce development, focuses on providing job and career counseling for women. Grant funds were used to provide job and career counseling to women who are out of work and want to get back into the workforce. This type of support is especially critical in this time of the pandemic and ever escalating unemployment. Their coaches understand and support women in all types of job-related challenges including childcare, divorce, gaps in employment, age-related discrimination, lack of confidence, and much more.
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— David Fair is the WEMU News Director and host of Morning Edition on WEMU. You can contact David at 734.487.3363, on twitter @DavidFairWEMU, or email him atdfair@emich.edu
