POSITIVE NEWS : Sati Smith Appointed As The First Black Woman CEO In Credit Unions 94-Year History

Sati Smith has shattered barriers in banking, becoming the first Black woman CEO of Diversified Members Credit Union (DMCU) in Detroit, MI. She succeeds her mentor, Kathie Trembath, who served with the credit union for nearly two decades.

David H. Brooks III, DMCU Board Chair, expressed excitement about Smith's promotion, anticipating new heights for her career and a fresh chapter for DMCU. Smith's journey from welfare and single motherhood to the CEO position is highlighted in her Fox-2 interview, where she emphasizes the importance of hard work and perseverance.

Reflecting on her achievement, Smith sees it as a milestone not just for herself but for the entire community, especially for women and minorities. She aims to inspire others to break glass ceilings and pursue their goals.

With over 25 years of experience, Smith climbed the ranks from a Kemba Financial Credit Union teller to various roles, including data processing clerk, IT manager, branch manager, operations manager, and chief operating officer at DMCU. Despite not having a high school diploma initially, she earned a GED to pursue higher education, obtaining a Bachelor of Social Work from Wayne State University and a Master of Arts from Ashland Theological Seminary.

Adding to her success, Smith's daughter has joined her at DMCU as a loan processor. Smith views her journey as setting an example for her child and believes that Trembath recognized potential in her that she didn't see herself at the time.