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Karen E. Duffy, a legend in the credit union movement and passionate advocate for financial inclusion, has recently been inducted into two of the most prestigious Halls of Fame within the credit union industry: the Cooperative Credit Union Association (CCUA) Hall of Fame and the Credit Union House Hall of Leaders. With a career spanning over three decades, Karen has made an indelible mark by leading with integrity, empowering women leaders, and working tirelessly to lift up communities.

Karen's career in the credit union sector began in a humble setting — as a teller at Rhode Island based Davisville Credit Union in the mid-80’s. By 1990, she was appointed Operations Manager at Davisville which coincided with a turbulent time for Rhode Island credit unions. When the NCUA stepped in, Karen was elevated to Acting EVP, tasked with helping commercial members and large depositors navigate the credit union's liquidation.

Her next role took her to Stanley Bostitch Employees Credit Union where, as manager, Karen championed access to fair lending and financial education. During this time, Karen furthered her education by attending night school at Bryant College and completing the CUNA Management School in Madison, Wisconsin. The skills and confidence she gained there would prove invaluable when she later took on the role of President & CEO at Worcester Credit Union.

Even though Worcester Credit Union remained classified as a small credit union, Karen always believed "we punch above our weight" in the context of providing community support. Under her guidance, Worcester Credit Union developed strong partnerships including creating a teller training program in conjunction with Quinsigamond Community College and offering financial literacy classes to military veterans, employee groups, and others.

Beyond her service to Worcester Credit Union, Karen's influence extended to a variety of other organizations in Worcester. She served on and often chaired numerous boards, including the Worcester Community Housing Resources Board, the Worcester Business Development Corporation, and the First Wednesday Group. She was named an Outstanding Woman in Business by the Worcester Business Journal in 2017 and was awarded the Key to the City of Worcester by Mayor Joseph M. Petty upon her retirement in 2019.

Karen’s leadership also transcended her local communities. As the first woman to chair the Massachusetts Credit Union League, she played a pivotal role in shaping the future of credit unions. She represented Massachusetts on the World Council of Credit Unions, mentoring credit union leaders across the globe. Her legacy of mentorship and advocacy has inspired countless employees, colleagues, and even her own daughter to follow in her footsteps. Current President & CEO Lucas J. Miller noted, “Karen is a role model not only to me but to so many others who seek to make a real difference in this world. She recognizes empathy as one of the most important traits a leader can have, and she was a true servant to those that worked with her and to those that bank with us. That is something that speaks to the heart of what the credit union difference is really all about.”

Karen Duffy’s recent induction into the CCUA Hall of Fame and the Credit Union House Hall of Leaders serves as a testament to her extraordinary lifelong contributions to the credit union sector and to the broader community. Her legacy of service, leadership, and mentorship continue to inspire the next generation of credit union professionals.