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Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union Announces New Board Chair

Press Release

LOWELL, MA – Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union is pleased to announce Ms. Naomi Prendergast, has been elected Chair of the Board of Directors effective January 2023.

The new election comes after John P. Chemaly completed his term and will now assume his role as Vice Chair of the Board. He has served on the Jeanne D’Arc Board of Directors in various roles since 2003, the previous five years as Chair. John is Senior VP of Corporate Strategies at PRIDEStar EMS.

“We are so appreciative of John’s generous time and service to the Credit Union,” said Mark S. Cochran, President and Chief Executive Officer at Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union. “For the past 20 years John has supported our mission in the community to help our members make smart financial choices and we’re happy that he has agreed to stay on and continue to support that mission.”

“I’m very proud and honored to have served as Jeanne D’Arc’s Chair for the past five years,” said John Chemaly. “I look forward to continuing my service to support the Credit Union’s path in helping their members and doing so alongside Naomi, who I know will be a tremendous asset in her role as Board Chair.”

Naomi joined the Jeanne D’Arc Board in 2010. She has served as the President and CEO of D’Youville Life & Wellness Community (Lowell, MA) since 2004 and as the Vice President of Business Development and Community Relations of the Carmelite System since 2021.  As President of the D’Youville Foundation, Naomi also guides a broad spectrum of fundraising initiatives.

“Naomi has been a dedicated member of our Board for 12 years serving on several committees,” said Mark S. Cochran, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Naomi’s work at D’Youville and the various local organizations she serves shows her true passion for helping others, and with Naomi’s heart to serve, she is a great advocate for what we stand for.”

“It is an honor to serve as Chair of an organization so committed to the mission of providing its members, from all economic backgrounds, with sound financial services,” said Ms. Prendergast. “Our Board could not be more focused on the evolving needs of our members. Together, we look forward to finding new ways to help our members reach their financial goals.”

Naomi holds a Master in Public Health degree from Boston University and is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator with over 30 years of health care experience. In addition to the role as Jeanne D’Arc’s Board Chair, she currently serves as a Board member of the Massachusetts Senior Care Association, Tufts Medicine, Lowell General Hospital, the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Nursing Home Administrators, the Massachusetts Health Information Technology Council, and the Eldercare and Public Policy Committees of the Catholic Healthcare Association. Since 2014, Naomi has been recognized as a “Top 100 Women Led Business Leader” by Boston Globe Magazine/The Women’s Edge. Naomi is an active member of the Lowell Rotary Club, and is a resident of North Andover, MA.

 

Naomi

Naomi Prendergast, MPH, President and CEO D’Youville Life & Wellness Community has been elected Chair of the Board of Directors of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union.

 

john

John P. Chemaly, Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategies at PRIDEStar EMS, outgoing Board Chair and current Vice Chair at Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union.