Paul Kundert, president and CEO of UW Credit Union, takes a kind, empathetic approach to leadership, according to University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee vice provost Phyllis King.
During a historic year that included both a pandemic and a turning point for racial justice, those qualities were the foundation to driving change, King said.
UWCU funded more than $2.8 million in emergency personal loans to more than 1,500 members. To make loan extensions easier and more accessible, UWCU deployed an online loan payment extension application in less than two days. To date, UWCU has processed more than 13,000 loan payment extensions to more than 9,100 members, charging no fees for this service.
In a time when racial issues are considered lightning rod subjects, Kundert saw opportunity within UWCU to lead by example and prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), King said.
Kundert’s commitment to DEI has taken the shape of several large donations to support communities of color disproportionally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, UWCU announced the UW Credit Union Fund for Racial Equity, a $1.5 million grant program tailored to organizations that focus on racial justice, $500,000 of which is earmarked exclusively for Milwaukee-area organizations.
