Unitus Community Credit Union Launches International Community Award

August 3, 2023

Steven Stapp, Unitus CCU president and CEO, and Dr. Chavez Suarez

Every quarter, Unitus Community Credit Union, based in Portland, Oregon, awards one outstanding employee with the Community Heart Award, which honors employees for their community commitment and dedication.

This individual is recognized not just for their extraordinary service, but for the time and energy they have given to a great cause or causes in our community.

On July 25, Unitus introduced a new award to their series: the International Community Heart Award.

This award was introduced by Unitus’ delegation at the World Credit Union Conference (WCUC) and honored Dr. Jaime Chavez Suarez from Columbia.

Dr. Chavez Suarez is the former president of the largest credit union in Bucaramanga, Columbia, Financiera Comultrasan. It was in the organization’s mailroom that he first began his journey into this field, where he went on to serve his credit union for 55 years. His insight and leadership as a member of the Columbia Credit Union Association and the World Council of Credit Unions’ board of directors have been instrumental in their growth and connection to credit unions around the world.

In addition to Dr. Chavez Suarez’s incredible tenure, he has committed countless hours to his community, leading the way on multiple projects and initiatives. These include establishing a foundation for the arts, music, and sports; the Colegio Gimnasio Superior; a Día del Niño (Day of the Child) event; and reforestation programs that offset carbon emissions and have created jobs in a region of Colombia recovering from thirty years of conflict. His contributions to business development and job creation have made an invaluable impact for years to come.

“It’s an honor to recognize Jaime for his leadership and dedication to Columbia and its people, and to making the world better as a whole,” said Steve Stapp, President and CEO of Unitus Community Credit Union. “May we all strive to follow in his footsteps and contribute to our own communities in similarly meaningful and philanthropic ways.”

The World Council of Credit Unions works to advance financial inclusion through the credit union and cooperative model by engaging in international advocacy, development, education, and networking that empowers underserved populations, and promotes more equitable and resilient communities.

Posted in Oregon, Regional Member News.