Meet Our Leadership

Donna Bland joined Golden 1 Credit Union in 1994 and was named President and CEO in 2010. She formerly served as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Controller, and has over 30 years of financial services experience. Under her leadership as CEO, Golden 1, one of the nation’s largest credit unions, has tripled its assets and doubled its membership to 1.1 million members throughout California. 

Over the years Golden 1 has been recognized locally and nationally for member service and employee engagement. Most recently in 2024, Golden 1 was named as one of “America’s Best-In-State Credit Unions” by Forbes as well as one of “America’s Greatest Workplaces” by Newsweek. In 2023, the Credit Union was recognized in Fast Company’s list of “Brands That Matter.” In 2022, Golden 1 was named a “Best Customer Experience Institution” nationwide by American Banker and was recognized as a “Best-In-State Employer” by Forbes for the fourth consecutive year. Along with financial stability, membership growth and exceptional service, the Credit Union has evolved and continues to expand corporate giving and social equity programs to uplift diverse communities throughout the state. In 2015, Donna was instrumental in signing a historic, multi-year naming rights agreement with the Sacramento Kings for Golden 1 Center. This investment in the community expanded the Credit Union’s brand and ability to serve its growing membership. 

Donna holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from San Francisco State University, a CPA license, and completed a Leading Change and Organizational Renewal program at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. Donna is the Board Chair for the California Credit Union League as well as a member of the board of directors for the Greater Sacramento Area Economic Council. She also serves on the Visa Executive Client Council, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation’s Credit Union Advisory Committee, and the CUNA Credit Union Powers Subcommittee. Donna is also a member of the Fast Company Impact Council.

In 2024, Donna was named a “Power 100” in the Sacramento Business Journal featuring the most powerful leaders in the region's economy and business community. In 2023, she received national recognition for the second consecutive year as one of the “Most Powerful Women in Credit Unions” by American Banker. In 2021, she was listed among the “Top 100 Women Leaders in Finance” by Women We Admire and received the Leadership California “Trailblazer Award.” She was also previously named “Most Admired CEO” by the Sacramento Business Journal and “Businesswoman of the Year” by the Sacramento Metro Chamber. 

Dustin Luton joined Golden 1 Credit Union in 2015 and now serves as Senior Executive Vice President. He formerly held the position of Executive Vice President, Strategy, Risk and Administration. In his current role, Dustin provides strategic direction in the areas of corporate strategy, information technology, service operations, enterprise project management, marketing, communications, and community relations. 

Dustin has more than 30 years of financial services and consulting experience. Prior to joining Golden 1, he was President and CEO of a Southern California bank. He was also a Partner at McGladrey & Pullen, one of the nation’s largest providers of assurance, tax, and consulting services.

Dustin earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and is Board Chair for the American River Parkway Foundation.

Heather Andrade-Neumann joined Golden 1 Credit Union in 2018 and now serves as Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer. She formerly held the position of Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer. In her current role, Heather oversees HR business partners talent acquisition, diversity, equity, and inclusion, organizational effectiveness, total rewards, people analytics, enterprise development, internal communications, and HR operations. She is a catalyst for creating a positive, collaborative work environment that attracts, develops, and retains a dynamic workforce.

Heather has more than 25 years of human resources experience. Prior to joining Golden 1, she held executive HR positions at telecommunications and IT companies.

Heather earned a master’s degree in Human Resources at Golden Gate University in San Francisco and a bachelor’s degree in Communications Studies from California State University, Sacramento. She currently serves on the board of Visit Sacramento.

Blair Braud joined Golden 1 Credit Union in 2024 and serves as Executive Vice President, Head of Operations. In her current role, Blair is responsible for account services and payment operations including account transaction processing, loan servicing, card servicing, and money movement.

Blair has more than 20 years of financial services experience including building and empowering large scale, high-performing, and diverse teams. She has also supported various executive management committees leading to more streamlined processes. Prior to joining Golden 1, Blair held executive and senior leadership roles at national financial institutions.

Blair earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alabama at Birmingham as well as an NACD Directorship Certification credential.

John Fischer joined Golden 1 Credit Union in 2023 and serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Retail Officer. In his current role, John oversees Golden 1's branch network, consumer and home loan production, and investment and insurance services.

John has more than 40 years of financial services experience including leading the implementation of line-of-business integration for members through high-tech and high-touch digital strategies as well as leading local, regional, and national production teams. Prior to joining Golden 1, he held executive financial services positions at national financial institutions.

John earned bachelor's degrees in business administration and economics from Sacramento State. He is also an alumnus of the University of Virginia's Graduate School of Retail Banking.

Chris Hamilton joined Golden 1 Credit Union in 2023 and serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Lending Officer. In his current role, Chris is responsible for lending operations including product management, credit/analytics, underwriting, and loan processing.

Chris has more than 30 years of financial services experience developing high-performing teams, executing business strategies, deploying innovative technology, and implementing enterprise initiatives. Prior to joining Golden 1, he held executive-level retail financial services positions at national financial institutions.

Chris earned a Bachelor of Science from UNC Charlotte.

Allyson Hill joined Golden 1 Credit Union in 2012 and now serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer. In her current role, Allyson oversees finance, accounting, credit risk, and capital planning and stress testing.

Allyson has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining Golden 1, she worked at KPMG, an international accounting firm.

Allyson earned a bachelor's degree in Accounting from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and is a licensed CPA. She also serves on the board of Junior Achievement of Sacramento.

Courtney Linn joined Golden 1 Credit Union in 2017 and now serves as Executive Vice President, Head of Legal, Risk and Compliance. He formerly held the position of Senior Vice President, General Counsel.

Courtney has more than 30 years of legal experience. Prior to joining Golden 1, he was a partner at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP and prior to that he was an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California.

Courtney earned his A.B. (with honors) and J.D. (Order of the Coif) from the University of California, Davis.

Jay Tkachuk joined Golden 1 Credit Union in 2022 and now serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Digital Officer. He formerly held the position of Senior Vice President, Chief Digital Officer. In his current role, Jay leads the digital organization, championing the internal and member-facing aspects of Golden 1’s digital transformation.

Jay has more than 16 years of financial services experience in leading digital strategy, user experience, and innovation. Prior to joining Golden 1, he served as Senior Vice President of Digital Services at another large credit union.

Jay holds both a Master of Business Administration and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He currently serves on the boards of the Ukrainian American House and City Year Sacramento.