Solarity Credit Union Employees Appointed to Leadership Roles with Northwest Fraud Investigators Association

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on September 24, 2025

Newly appointed NWFIA President Vanessa Palmer with outgoing President David Bangart

Two team members of Wash.-based Solarity Credit Union have been appointed to leadership positions with the Northwest Fraud Investigators Association (NWFIA), a professional organization dedicated to stopping the multi-billion-dollar losses associated with fraud.

Vanessa Palmer, Solarity’s Account Operations and Fraud Department Manager, has been named President of the NWFIA Executive Board. In this role, Palmer will help lead the association’s mission to secure the cooperation of law enforcement, financial institutions, and businesses in the location, apprehension, prosecution, and conviction of those defrauding the public. She will also guide the organization’s commitment to providing high-quality training and resources for its members.

Aleena Fearr, Solarity’s Fraud and Card Operations Specialist, has been appointed Treasurer of the NWFIA. Fearr will oversee the association’s financial stewardship while supporting its objective to strengthen collaboration and resource-sharing among fraud prevention professionals across the Northwest.

“I am honored to serve as President of the Northwest Fraud Investigators Association,” said Palmer. “Fraud is constantly evolving, and it’s critical that we work together across industries to share information, identify threats, and protect the communities we serve. I look forward to supporting our members as we continue building strong partnerships to fight fraud.”

David Bangart, outgoing NWFIA President, added, “It was a privilege working with Vanessa over the past year in her role as 1st Vice President. We are all excited and looking forward to her leadership as the NWFIA moves into its 97th year of training fraud investigators. I would also like to welcome another member of the Solarity team to the NWFIA Executive Board. Aleena Fearr was nominated and graciously accepted the three-year term as association treasurer. The NWFIA Executive Board and membership recognize and thank Solarity Credit Union for their continuing support.”

The NWFIA membership includes experienced investigators from law enforcement, financial services, and business who work together to advance fraud prevention, detection, and prosecution. Through their new leadership roles, Palmer and Fearr will contribute to the association’s work of equipping fraud professionals with the resources and collaboration they need to protect the public.

Posted in Leadership, Regional Member News, Washington.