Surrey, B.C.: Following its annual board of directors election, Coast Capital members re-elected incumbents Robin Chakrabarti and Valerie Lambert along with newcomer Leanna Falkiner to the credit union’s board.
The results, announced at the credit union’s Annual General Meeting on May 14, 2020, were based on the results from a total of 8,757 valid ballots cast. The three candidates for the board of directors are elected for three-year terms.
“The candidates who put their names forward to fill this year’s board vacancies bring with them a great diversity of experience and expertise,” said Nominations Committee Chair, Frank Leonard. “We have three very qualified board members who will add significant value to the governance of Coast Capital. The credit union is on a journey, expanding into provinces outside of British Columbia to bring our unique value proposition as a trusted and established financial institution to more Canadians. This group of leaders is well-positioned to propel the credit union forward.”
This year, Coast Capital Savings was looking for directors with skills and experience in three main areas including national financial services, retail marketing and sales, as well as experience with mergers and strategic partnerships.
Leanna Falkiner brings strategy, marketing and financial product expertise to her new role on the Coast Capital Board of Directors. She ignites brands and grows companies across the financial services sector, positioning them to excel in the digital economy. As founder and CEO of evoQ International, a strategy consulting firm, she helps banks, credit unions and insurers harness disruption to boost profitable growth and create omnichannel strategies that galvanize customer retention and value.
In his fourth and final term on the Coast Capital board, Robin Chakrabarti has significant experience in understanding the perspectives of the small- and medium-sized business community from two points of view: originally as a commercial banker and, more recently, as an owner and operator of small- and medium-sized local and national businesses. Through his private equity business, Chakrabarti has become well versed in brokering strategic partnerships between organizations that are aligned in their values and growth plans.
The second returning board member this year is Valerie Lambert, a Chartered Professional Accountant who continues to bring community building and leadership as well as extensive financial expertise to the Coast Capital board. Lambert has served for ten years as the Executive Director of Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver and, prior to that, seven years as Treasurer at BC Hydro. She brings her community leadership focus to the Coast Capital board by building healthy cultures both within the organization and the communities in which the credit union operates.
“I want to thank our members for showing their support for this year’s candidates who let their names stand for election,” says Bob Armstrong, Chair, Coast Capital Board of Directors. “I would also like to recognize Mary Jordan who has dedicated 12 years to the Coast Capital board and retires from her director role this year. Mary has been a crucial member of the team overseeing many initiatives that have been imperative to the credit union’s long-term success. We will miss her wisdom, experience and leadership. I wish her the very best as she moves on to new opportunities. And to the three elected Directors, Robin, Valerie and Leanna, I am thrilled to have you on the board and look forward to what we will accomplish together.”
For the first time in its history, Coast Capital’s election and AGM were both conducted almost entirely virtually as the need for physical distancing continues.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to offer the board’s heartfelt thanks to both our members and our employees for their contributions to Coast Capital’s COVID-19 response,” says Armstrong. “In an environment of uncertainty that saw the world responding in real-time to swift and immediate public health measures, our team and our membership came together to help each other and our communities in short order. Coast Capital’s Community Relief Fund continues to support our small business members and non-profit partners to weather the economic implications of COVID. As we continue to monitor the evolution of this pandemic, I want to assure you that Coast Capital will continue to make decisions fuelled by our commitment to the health and safety of our employees, members and our wider communities.”
About Coast Capital
Coast Capital is Canada’s largest credit union by membership and B.C.’s first credit union to become a federal credit union. Owned by its 593,000 members, Coast Capital offers banking and investment services digitally across Canada, and through its 52 branches in the Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Okanagan, and Vancouver Island regions of British Columbia. An Imagine Canada Caring Company and a Certified B Corporation in recognition of its social performance, Coast Capital invests 10 per cent of its bottom line into the community with a focus on youth-centric organizations, programs, partnerships and events. The credit union has been recognized as one of Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures™, and holds a Best Managed Companies Platinum Club designation. Coast Capital has a history of introducing innovative products to help their members achieve financial wellbeing including Canada’s first free chequing account from a full-service financial institution and Help Extras®, enabling members to invest in their future. To learn more, visit coastcapitalsavings.com.
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