“It may be a cliché to say that it is an honor to step into the presidency at UMassFive, but it is entirely true. I was raised on credit union values, and I believe deeply in the cooperative mission that has guided this movement for generations: people helping people, neighbors investing in neighbors, and financial institutions existing to serve member-owners rather than outside shareholders.” - Lauren Duffy
Newsletter 2026 V3 Article - Letter from Lauren: Looking Ahead, Together
Twenty-one years ago, I started a job that would change my life. Hired as the Teller Supervisor at our UMassFive Hadley branch, I had the privilege of learning all about this organization from the ground up—first through direct service to members, then by opening our first Northampton branch, moving into project management and lending roles, and later spearheading our operations and IT departments. Over the last eight years, I have helped deliver on an ambitious strategic plan, upgrading more systems and processes than I can count with one goal in mind: making UMassFive work better for you, for our employees, and for the long-term strength of this financial cooperative. I have loved my career here, and I am energized to enter this next phase with deep institutional knowledge, an exceptional team, and remarkable potential ahead of us.
I am writing to you now and will continue to do so in each newsletter going forward, because if I have learned anything about leading through change over these years, it is the importance of quality, consistent communication. I did not campaign for this role on a change agenda, but change is all around us, always. Your economic realities are changing. The technology involved in banking is changing. And the future of our fifty-nine-year-old Credit Union depends on my leadership team and me, navigating that change with you, not just for you. This letter is one way I hope to peel back the curtain and share how we center you and your financial wellbeing in our decision-making each day.
I could go on about our other thoughts and initiatives, and I will in future letters. For now, thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope you will feel welcome to reach out with opinions, questions, or topics you would like to know more about. This cooperative belongs to its members, and your voice matters to me.
With Appreciation,
Lauren Duffy, lauren@umassfive.coop