New CU4Kids Advisory Board Member Spotlight: Seth Schaefer
Credit Unions for Kids recently announced Seth Schaefer, EVP and Chief Impact Officer at Rivermark Community Credit Union, to the national Advisory Board. Please help us celebrate Seth’s accomplishments and support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals!
Seth Schaefer has worked at Rivermark Community Credit Union for 21 years acting as a strategic thought leader on member experience with a focus on financial enablement, technology integration, and community advocacy. He acted as President/CEO from 2018 until 2024 with the merger between Rivermark CU and Advantis CU. Currently he leads through the EVP/Chief Impact Officer role overseeing financial wellness programming, DEI, strategy, advocacy, and community engagement.
Seth has been an ardent supporter of Credit Unions for Kids during his tenure in the industry. He has served on the CU4Kids Doernbecher Advisory Committee, and soon completing his 2-year term as the co-chair. He is a member of the OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital (Porland, OR) Philanthropy Board. He has spent over 20 years fundraising in different ways for CU4Kids, including participating in the NW Golf Classic and GoWest MAXX CU4Kids Benefit Auction. He has attended Children’s Hospitals Week to accept the Founders Award in April 2024. And he is an evangelist for children’s health as a foundation of financial wellbeing.
John Bratsakis, President/CEO of the MD|DC Credit Union Association and Chair of the CU4Kids National Advisory Board says, “I’m thrilled Seth Schaefer accepted the appointment to the national Credit Unions for Kids Advisory Board. The roots of CU4Kids were started in the Pacific Northwest and that is a region of the country that continues to innovate and inspire the industry through their corporate social responsibility. Seth is going to bring a great perspective to our mission of improving pediatric healthcare and the financial health of communities.”
Seth adds, “At the heart of CU4Kids is a mission to ensure that every child receives the medical care they need, regardless of their family’s financial situation. By partnering with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, credit unions contribute to a safety net that covers everything from routine check-ups to life-saving surgeries. In our communities, we have seen this critical support in providing families with peace of mind, knowing that their children have access to the best possible medical care. This program maximizes our cooperative superpower in achieving financial inclusion through the well-being of the youngest members of our society. I’m proud of our history and thrilled to join future efforts to expand our collective efforts.”
Through Seth’s leadership, Rivermark CU embraces access and convenience to empower financial inclusion. This new reality of banking aligns directly with his passions to find solutions which allows a trusting, empowering, and convenient interaction.
In building a vision of enhancing conversations, Rivermark provides personalized and accessible solutions while supporting a member’s journey to financial resilience. Through financial wellness programming, strategic community partners, and the fulfillment of the ‘branch in your hands’, the credit union continues to look for opportunities to support their community.
Seth held various positions in the credit union with operations, lending, marketing, and technology. An avid traveler, he enjoys destinations off the beaten path, including trips to all seven continents. He has spoken on leading a purpose-driven credit union during engagements with CUNA, BAI, Callahan, NCR, and several industry publications.