Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union Announces Officer Promotions

LOWELL, MA (January 8, 2026) – Larissa C. Thurston, President and Chief Executive Officer at Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, is pleased to announce the promotions of six employees: Katie Allard, Vice President – System Applications; Karen Manuelian, Vice President – Marketing; Rachel DaSilva, AVP – Cybersecurity; Michele Desmarais, Officer – Senior Marketing Analyst; Sheryl (Sherry) Hamilton, Officer – Accounting Supervisor; Brandy Siegler, Vice President – Facilities.

Katie Allard has been promoted to Vice President – System Applications. Allard has been a member of the Jeanne D’Arc team for the past 27 years and has made significant contributions to the organization’s strategic goals. She has driven operational efficiency and fostered innovation, streamlining processes and managing vendor relationships to achieve scalable, cost-effective technology solutions. Her strategic vision and cross-functional influence have positioned her as an essential leader. Allard lives in Pelham, NH, with her husband and three children.

Karen Manuelian has been promoted to Vice President – Marketing. Manuelian has been working in the credit union industry since 2009 and joined Jeanne D’Arc in January of 2024. During her time at the Credit Union, she has been a key contributor in many organization-wide projects. Her strategic vision and collaborative spirit have helped to advance the Credit Union’s mission and strengthen its brand presence. Manuelian will continue to lead the marketing department with creativity and purpose, overseeing a talented team and shaping impactful campaigns that resonate with members and the community. She is a proud Lowell native, Lowell High School graduate, and Bentley University alumna.  She currently resides in Lowell.

Rachel DaSilva has been promoted to the role of AVP – Cybersecurity. DaSilva has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise in cybersecurity at Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union. She has efficiently managed incident response efforts, ensuring rapid containment of phishing and spoofing attacks while minimizing impact by coordinating with external authorities. Her operational improvements include implementing advanced email security measures, resolving infrastructure challenges, and maintaining regulatory standards. Her new role will leverage her proven strategic and leadership capabilities for continued success.

DaSilva received her BS in Computer Science with a concentration in Information Systems and MBA from Framingham State College. She is CompTIA – Security+ and CompTIA – Project+ certified. She lives in Haverhill with her husband and two children and enjoys volunteering with Team Haverhill.

Michele Desmarais has been promoted to the role of Officer – Senior Marketing Analyst. Desmaris is Jeanne D’Arc’s second-longest tenured employee, with 35 years of dedicated service. She has played a crucial role in significant Credit Union initiatives and serves as the subject matter expert on several essential platforms. As the Credit Union continues growing as a data-driven institution with an emphasis on personalized member service, Desmarais continues to be an invaluable contributor. Michele is a Lowell native and holds both a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting and an MBA from UMass Lowell. She currently resides in Pelham, NH, with her husband and four children.

Sheryl (Sherry) Hamilton has been promoted to Officer – Accounting Supervisor. Hamilton has been an essential member of Jeanne D’Arc for nearly 30 years, consistently growing strategic value to the organization. Her extensive institutional knowledge makes her an indispensable resource, and her ongoing support and collaboration have established her as a key strategic partner within the organization, playing critical roles in major projects that support the Credit Union’s strategic priorities.

In addition to her technical and strategic achievements, Hamilton leads a team of four and is recognized as a trusted and valued colleague across the organization. She lives in Lowell with her husband and son.

Brandy Siegler has been promoted to Vice President – Facilities. Siegler has been an instrumental leader in numerous significant initiatives at Jeanne D’Arc, including major building openings , branch renovations, and improvements. Throughout her tenure of over 23 years at Jeanne D’Arc, Siegler has demonstrated a commitment to organizational excellence. She excels in managing daily supply chain operations and vendor relationships, ensuring that facilities run smoothly across the Credit Union. Her hands-on leadership style, strong work ethic, and ability to skillfully guide her dedicated team of four have earned her the respect of colleagues and stakeholders alike. She resides in Dracut with her husband and twin boys.

 

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About Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union:

Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union was established in 1912 and is a full-service, community-based financial cooperative. Locally owned by more than 100,000 members with $2.2 billion in assets, Jeanne D’Arc operates eight full-service branches in Lowell, Dracut (2), Tyngsboro, Chelmsford, Methuen, and Westford, Massachusetts, and Nashua, New Hampshire; high-school branches at Lowell High, Dracut High, and Nashua High School South; a loan center in Lowell; and a mortgage center in Chelmsford. Follow Jeanne D’Arc on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

 

Katie Allard, Vice President – System Applications

Karen Manuelian, Vice President – Marketing

Rachel DaSilva, AVP – Cybersecurity

Michele Desmarais, Officer – Senior Marketing Analyst

Sheryl (Sherry) Hamilton, Officer – Accounting Supervisor

Brandy Siegler, Vice President – Facilities