Rodney E. Hood has distinguished himself as a pivotal figure in the American financial services sector, with a career spanning over two decades dedicated to advancing the credit union movement and broader financial inclusivity. His expertise in banking, finance, and regulatory policy has positioned him as a leading authority on issues affecting credit unions and their members nationwide. Notably, Hood made history as the first African American to serve as a federal financial regulator, marking a significant milestone in the landscape of American financial regulatory leadership.

In April 2019, Hood was appointed as the Chairman of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), where his leadership was characterized by a commitment to modernizing credit union regulations, enhancing cybersecurity measures, and promoting financial inclusion for all Americans. Under his stewardship, the NCUA focused on creating a regulatory environment that supports the growth and sustainability of credit unions while ensuring the safety and soundness of the financial system.

Before his appointment as NCUA Chairman, Hood served on the NCUA Board from 2005 to 2009. During his first term, he was instrumental in developing policies and programs aimed at strengthening the credit union system during a period of significant economic challenges. His efforts laid the groundwork for many of the advancements in credit union regulation and supervision seen in subsequent years.

Outside of his roles at the NCUA, Rodney E. Hood's career includes significant experience in the private sector. He has held positions at JPMorgan Chase, where he was responsible for community reinvestment and fair lending practices, and at Bank of America, where he focused on corporate responsibility and community development initiatives. Hood's work in the private sector underscored his lifelong commitment to financial literacy, economic empowerment, and access to affordable financial services for underserved communities.

Rodney E. Hood's educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Business, Communication, and Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he graduated with honors. His academic and professional journeys reflect a deep-seated belief in the power of education, policy, and innovation to transform communities and drive economic growth.

A respected leader and advocate, Hood's contributions to the financial regulatory landscape and his efforts to promote inclusivity and resilience within the credit union movement have earned him recognition and accolades from industry peers, policymakers, and community leaders alike. His historic role as the first African American federal financial regulator underscores his trailblazing impact on the industry and his commitment to diversity and inclusion in the financial sector.

Blessed Dele-Michael is an Attorney & Compliance Executive in the New York City area whose most recent role was Head of Compliance at global media conglomerate, Warner Bros Discovery. Additionally, she has experience working at global law firms, WilmerHale and Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP handling securities litigation, FCPA internal investigations and regulatory enforcement matters. After leaving law firm practice, Blessed made the successful career pivot into regulatory compliance in the financial services sector with roles as Anti-Bribery & Corruption Compliance Officer at UBS and Compliance Testing Officer at Goldman Sachs. She is a graduate of New York University and Rutgers University Schoolof Law-Newark.