Joe Dearborn, Longtime CU4Kids Leader, Announces Retirement

After 30+ years working for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Joe Dearborn has announced his well-earned retirement, beginning in mid-November.

In his storied career, Joe has worn many hats to help raise meaningful funds for children’s hospitals across the United States and Canada. When he first started, Joe worked in the sports marketing department. He’s also worked with a number of other partners like: Ace Hardware, McLane, and Foresters Life Insurance.

Many in the credit union industry will remember his passion, sense of humor, and kindness because Joe managed the Credit Unions for Kids program for over 12 years. Joe had many accomplishments during this time and collaborated with credit unions to raise tens of millions of dollars for non-profit children’s hospitals. Just a few of Joe’s signature wins include:

• Started the CU4Kids National Advisory Board which has been instrumental in establishing a strategy and vision for the future of CU4Kids.
• Collaborated with several young professionals to establish the Young Leaders for Kids (YL4Kids) committee which provided invaluable support and direction and eventually turned into the CU4Kids Activation Board.
• Established local advisory committees which has dramatically impacted fundraising while bringing awareness to credit unions for their life-changing work in the community.  

When asked to reflect on his time at CMN Hospitals, Joe emphasized his experience working with credit unions. “During my time at CMN Hospitals, it was my good fortune to work 12 years with our credit union partners throughout the country. I was aware of the People Helping People philosophy when I started but to see it in action was a career highlight. From wine auctions to golf tournaments to fundraising at the branches, credit unions large and small, have collaborated over the last 30 plus years to profoundly impact children’s healthcare in the U.S.  It was a true privilege to be part of a mission that continues to save kids’ lives.”   

Nick Coleman succeeded Joe Dearborn to manage Credit Unions for Kids and immediately realized the big shoes he signed up to fill. “It was intimidating to follow Joe’s work with Credit Unions for Kids. I’d go to a conference and everyone would ask about Joe and said how much they loved him. I’m fortunate that Joe stuck around for a number of years so I could continue to learn and be mentored by him. I can’t emphasis enough how great of a guy Joe is and how important he’s been to the CU4Kids program. It absolutely would not be successful without his innovative thinking and ability to bring people together. Thanks for all you’ve done, Joe!”