NCBA CLUSA announces results of 2024 Board of Directors Election

NCBA CLUSA welcomes the addition of one new board member this year: Tracy McIntyre, center, Executive Director of the Montana Cooperative Development Center.

NCBA CLUSA is pleased to share the results of the association's 2022 Board of Directors Election, announced at today's Annual Membership Meeting by Debbie Wege, chair of NCBA CLUSA's Nominations Committee and Cooperative Community Advocate for BECU.

The following individuals were reelected to the board: Sylandi Brown, Communications Manager for the U.S. Overseas Cooperative Development Council; Carla Decker, President and CEO of SkyPoint Federal Credit Union; LaDonna Sanders Redmond, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant with Columinate; and Michelle Schry, Director of Retail Support, Central U.S. Region at National Co+op Grocers.

NCBA CLUSA welcomes the addition of one new board member this year: Tracy McIntyre, Executive Director of the Montana Cooperative Development Center. A native of Eureka, Montana, Tracy McIntyre has dedicated her career to fostering economic development and empowering rural communities across Montana. Her journey into cooperative development began in 2009 when she joined MCDC.

"We were really lucky to have a robust and talented slate of candidates this year, and we deeply appreciate everyone who chose to step forward and run for the board," Wege said.

Learn more about our new and reelected board members below.

Sylandi Brown

Communications Manager
U.S. Overseas Cooperative Development Council

Sylandi Brown is the Communications Manager of the U.S. Overseas Cooperative Development Council (OCDC). In her role, she manages the strategic communication activities of OCDC's research and learning arm, the International Cooperative Research Group, and supports the dissemination of knowledge products designed to increase the impact and uptake of cooperatives around the world.

Sylandi's introduction to cooperatives began when she was selected to represent Middle Georgia EMC, a member-owned electric membership cooperative, as a delegate on the Washington Youth Tour in 2016. She was subsequently elected the Georgia Youth Leadership Council representative and was later selected the 2017 National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Youth Leadership Council Spokesperson where she served as a national ambassador for electric cooperatives.

Her professional career began with Middle Georgia EMC in 2020 and, in 2021, she was featured in the International Cooperative Alliance's 25 Voices campaign that recognized emerging leaders of the cooperative movement who were under the age of 25. Sylandi's experience at the local, statewide, national and international level fueled a dual passion for communications and cooperatives that has led her to speak about the impact of the cooperative business model in several countries, including France, Kenya and South Korea.

In addition to her role at OCDC, Sylandi serves as Chairwoman of the Hawkinsville-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce, member of the Middle Georgia Regional Commission Council, and member of the Pulaski County Board of Education. She holds a bachelor's degree in Communication from Valdosta State University and a master's degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the University of Georgia.

Read Sylandi's Candidate Statement

Carla Decker

President and CEO
SkyPoint Federal Credit Union

Carla Decker is President and CEO of SkyPoint Federal Credit Union, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) serving more than 13,000 members with over $200 million in assets in the Washington, DC metro area.

Carla's executive leadership roles include leading digital innovation and banking as Chief Operating Officer of the $780 million IDB Global Federal Credit Union; and directing the transformation and growth of DC Credit Union into a nationally recognized best practice model for CDFI credit unions and service to the Hispanic community.

An avid cooperator and advocate, she has served in numerous credit union association boards. Most notably, she was the organizing chair for the Credit Union Advisory Committee to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Designated as an International Credit Union Development Educator (I-CUDE), she has facilitated and designed curriculum for the Caribbean and Canadian Credit Union Development Education programs.

Carla is the immediate past chair of the board of the National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International (NCBA CLUSA). She represents NCBA CLUSA and the U.S. cooperative movement to the Americas' Region of the International Cooperative Alliance.

Carla is originally from Perú. Her immigrant experience informs and energizes her commitment to address and advocate for the financial well-being of the Hispanic community. She was twice named to the list of the 100 Most Influential People to the Hispanic Community by "El Tiempo Latino"-the principal Spanish-language news publication in DC's metropolitan area. In 2023, Carla was inducted into the African American Credit Union Coalition's Hall of Fame for her body of work in financial inclusion.

Carla holds a master's degree in International Commerce and Policy from George Mason University in Virginia, and a number of executive education certificates.

Read Carla's Candidate Statement

Tracy McIntyre

Executive Director
Montana Cooperative Development Center

A native of Eureka, Montana, Tracy McIntyre has dedicated her career to fostering economic development and empowering rural communities across Montana. With more than 12 years of experience as an Economic Developer for Northwest Montana, she spearheaded the creation and growth of the Tobacco Valley Business Incubator and Industrial Park. Notably, McIntyre's work was funded and managed by two utility cooperatives, demonstrating her expertise in collaborative partnership development.

In 2016, McIntyre embarked on a new chapter, establishing her own consulting company to extend her expertise in community leadership, project development and strategic planning to rural areas and businesses beyond her immediate region.

Her journey into cooperative development began in 2009 when she joined the Montana Cooperative Development Center (MCDC) as a Cooperative Development Specialist. By 2019, her dedication and vision propelled her into the role of Executive Director at MCDC, where she also serves as the Administrator of the Montana Council of Cooperatives. In this capacity, McIntyre oversees a wide range of cooperative projects and initiatives, including housing, childcare, agriculture sustainability, shared services, cooperative education and broadband adoption. Her tenure at MCDC has been marked by remarkable growth, expanding the organization's capacity, and showcasing the transformative power of cooperatives across the state.

A passionate advocate for rural America and the vast landscapes of Montana, McIntyre's primary goal is to leverage the cooperative business model to sustain vibrant small towns and preserve the rural lifestyle she cherishes.

In addition to her professional commitments, McIntyre remains actively engaged in various regional and statewide organizations. She has served as President of the Montana Economic Developers Association for two terms and was appointed by Governor Bullock to serve on the Equal Pay Equal Work Task Force and as a Montana State Ambassador. McIntyre continues to volunteer her time in her local community as a board member of the Great Falls Community Foundation and in various events like the Rotary Electric's Tardigras fundraiser for local kids. Outside of work, McIntyre enjoys pursuing her hobbies, including kayaking Montana's pristine streams, spending quality time with her nieces and nephews, and exploring rural communities with her boyfriend and friends.

With a steadfast commitment to rural development and a deep-rooted passion for cooperative principles, McIntyre embodies the spirit of community empowerment and cooperation.

Read Tracy's Candidate Statement

LaDonna Sanders Redmond

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant
Columinate

LaDonna Sanders Redmond is the former Diversity and Community Engagement Manager of Seward Co-op. LaDonna led the co-op's diversity and engagement initiatives that contribute positively to organizational culture, marketplace competitiveness and social responsibility.

LaDonna is a community activist who worked on several public health issues throughout her career such as substance abuse, violence and food justice. LaDonna successfully worked to get Chicago Public Schools to eliminate junk food, launched urban agriculture projects, started a community grocery store and worked on federal farm policies to expand access to healthy food in communities of color. LaDonna is a 2003 WK Kellogg Food and Society Policy Fellow. In 2009, Redmond was one of 25 citizen and business leaders named a Responsibility Pioneer by Time Magazine. LaDonna has a popular Tedx
talk, Food + Justice = Democracy.

Currently, LaDonna is a Qualified Administrator (QA) of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) and Intercultural Organizational Development Consultant and Executive Coach. LaDonna consults with cooperatives, universities, non-profit organization, philanthropic organization and a variety of small businesses.

LaDonna is a member consultant of Columinate, a cooperative of consultants that are catalysts for the common good.

Read LaDonna's Candidate Statement

Michelle Schry

Director of Retail Support, Central U.S. Region
National Co+op Grocers

Michelle Schry is Director of Retail Support for the Central U.S. Region of the National Co-op Grocers (NCG).

Prior to joining NCG in 2015, Schry spent 20 years in cooperative retail management in CEO-level positions. Schry has been active in service to the larger co-op community serving as a board member of Cooperative Development Services, Ralph K. Morris Foundation, National Co+op Grocers and the National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International (NCBA CLUSA).

Schry is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, which awarded her the 2006 Rada Distinguished Alumni Award. Schry was honored with the Cooperative Development Fund's Howard Bowers Cooperative Service Award in 2006 and Cooperative Excellence Award in 2015.

Read Michelle's Candidate Statement

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