NORTH SMITHFIELD – Navigant Credit Union has announced that Kathleen Orovitz of North Smithfield will serve as the bank’s new president/CEO following a unanimous vote by the Board of Directors on Monday, August 22.
Orovitz will succeed 35-year President/CEO Gary Furtado, who announced his plans to retire earlier in May, but will reportedly remain in his current role and support the leadership transition through October.
Orovitz began her career in banking as a teller and has since amassed 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 with the 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,” noted a release on the appointment. “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.”
The appointment reportedly follows a months-long national search for Furtado’s replacement.
“Kathy leads multiple business lines including retail banking, marketing, digital delivery, wealth management and community development,” noted Navigant Board of Director Chairperson Ann Kashmanian. “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.”
Outside of her role at Navigant, Orovitz serves as a board member and chair of the finance committee for Connecting Children for Families, 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’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 Furtado.
Orovitz, who lives in North Smithfield with her husband Dan and daughter Alexandra, earned her bachelor’s in Business Administration from Bryant University.
“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.”
