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 more than 25 years of financial services experience. Under her leadership, 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. 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 recently completed a Leading Change and Organizational Renewal program at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. A member of the board of directors for both the California Credit Union League and Greater Sacramento Area Economic Council, Donna also serves on the Visa Senior Client Council, California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation’s Credit Union Advisory Committee, and CUNA Credit Union Powers Subcommittee.
In 2022, Donna received national recognition 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 named a “Most Admired CEO” by the Sacramento Business Journal in 2020.