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, Golden 1 was recognized in Money’s 2024-2025 “Best Banks in America” list for the third consecutive year. In 2024, the Credit Union was named as one of “America’s Best-In-State Credit Unions” and as one of “America's Best-In-State Employers” by Forbes. Golden 1 was also honored last year as one of “America’s Greatest Workplaces” by Newsweek and named as one of “America's Best Mid-Size Companies” by TIME magazine. In 2023, the Credit Union was recognized in Fast Company’s list of “Brands That Matter” and in 2022, Golden 1 was named a “Best Customer Experience Institution” nationwide by American Banker. 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 received national recognition for the third consecutive year as one of the “Most Powerful Women in Credit Unions” by American Banker. She was also inducted into a special exhibit at America’s Credit Union Museum. Donna has previously been named a “Power 100” in the Sacramento Business Journal, which features the most powerful leaders in the region's economy and business community. 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.
