CHICAGO, IL (September 10, 2024) — The GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment is excited to announce the addition of two new members to its board following the merger between Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU) and encurage financial network credit union (EFNCU).
The new board members are:
Polly Kosyla: Ms. Kosyla has 35 years of experience working with nonprofits, and manages insurance programs for nonprofits through her insurance agency, S. Wolf & Assoc. In 2016, Ms. Kosyla and her insurance agency started Lend A Hand, a nonprofit that gives back to clients and the community through running school supply drives, holiday gift-giving programs for veterans, and more. Ms. Kosyla grew up in Chicago and graduated from Northwestern University.
Thomas Monticello: Mr. Monticello currently provides accounting support for Chicago Partners Wealth Advisors, which he joined at its inception. Previously, Mr. Monticello was a regional manager for AT&T and Lucent Technologies. He is a graduate of Lewis University and is semi-retired.
“I’m proud to welcome Polly and Tom to the GLCU Foundation Board,” said Matthew Rizzie, Executive Director of the GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment. “I’m looking forward to working with them as we pursue our mission of building financial well-being for our members, communities, and employees.”
“We’re thrilled to expand the GLCU Foundation Board and its initiatives with the help of Polly and Tom’s expertise,” said Patrick Basler, Board Chair for the GLCU Foundation and Chief Experience Officer for GLCU. “The GLCU Foundation’s work exemplifies our commitment to the credit union philosophy of ‘people helping people.’ Having a strong board supports the important work we do in our communities, and we’re proud that our board reflects how our organization has grown.”
The GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment is the charitable and volunteer arm of Great Lakes Credit Union. The GLCU Foundation’s goal is to affect positive change; financially empower everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status; and make a tangible difference. The GLCU Foundation has one of the largest HUD-approved Housing and Financial Counseling programs in Illinois, with services spanning Cook, Lake, DuPage, Will, and McHenry counties. Services are available to both GLCU members and the wider community.
Additionally, half of GLCU employees volunteer their time in the community annually through the GLCU Foundation’s Great Wave community outreach program, working with GLCU’s partner organizations such as HOPE Food Distribution, Bernie’s Book Bank, Northern Illinois Food Bank, and more.
