SMITHFIELD, R.I. (August 24, 2022) – Following a months-long national search and a unanimous vote held on Monday, August 22, Navigant Credit Union’s Board of Directors has announced Kathleen C. Orovitz will serve as Navigant Credit Union’s next President / CEO.
Orovitz will succeed Gary E. Furtado, who – after serving in the role for 35 years – announced his plans to retire earlier in May. Furtado plans to remain in his current role and support the leadership transition through October.
“My fellow Board members and I are pleased to announce this selection,” said Ann M. Kashmanian, chair, Navigant Credit Union Board of Directors. “Kathy leads multiple business lines including Retail Banking, Marketing, Digital Delivery, Wealth Management and Community Development. Her 13 years of experience on our senior management team has prepared her with the knowledge and skills to lead Navigant Credit Union, and the Board of Directors has full confidence in her ability to move Navigant forward in fulfilling our vision of a great member experience supported by a culture that fosters teamwork and creativity.”
“I am truly honored to serve as Navigant Credit Union’s next President / CEO, and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work alongside and learn from Gary Furtado and the rest of our team over the last 13 years,” said Orovitz. “I am devoted to Navigant Credit Union’s mission of delivering the best experiences for our members across Rhode Island while continuing to sustain and build upon our best-in-class employer status. I am excited to get to work.”
Beginning her career as a teller, Orovitz has more than 30 years of diverse experience in the financial services industry, specializing in retail banking delivery, sales management, corporate marketing and strategic planning. She joined Navigant Credit Union in 2009 as the credit union’s Executive Vice President & Chief Retail Banking Officer and a crucial member of Navigant Credit Union’s senior leadership and strategic planning teams. Prior to Navigant Credit Union, Orovitz served as the Director of Retail Banking at Bank Rhode Island, and Vice President of Retail Sales & Compensation at Santander.
In her role as Chief Retail Banking Officer, Orovitz has led the credit union’s sales, marketing and business development efforts, and oversees all retail delivery channels including the branch network, contact center, digital banking, training and investment services. She led the organization’s expansion from nine physical branch locations in Rhode Island to its current number of 23. As the credit union rapidly grew, Orovitz spearheaded an organizational change to a more regional approach, leading the process of hiring and training a team of regional managers to oversee day-to-day retail operations across the credit union.
“Kathy’s wealth of experience and deep commitment to Navigant Credit Union’s mission and culture puts her in an ideal position to continue to build upon our growth and success as our next leader,” said Gary E. Furtado, President / CEO, Navigant Credit Union. “I offer my sincere congratulations to Kathy and look forward to Navigant Credit Union’s next chapter.”
Outside of her role at Navigant Credit Union, Orovitz serves as a Board Member and Chair of the Finance Committee for Connecting Children for Families (CCF), a Woonsocket-based nonprofit organization that helps provide families and individuals struggling with homelessness or domestic abuse with monetary donations, clothing, food, furniture, and other needs. Orovitz helped lead CCF’s capital campaign that allowed the organization to purchase the Hope Street school building, reduce overhead costs, and allow CCF to continue to operate and provide critical services to the community. Orovitz also serves as a Board Member for the New England Automated Clearing House, and was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for the Simon W. Wardwell Foundation.
Kathy earned her B.A. in Business Administration from Bryant University.
She lives in North Smithfield with her husband Dan and daughter Alexandra.
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