Debbie Smith

Debbie Smith has been with Georgia United Credit Union for 20 years, serving in several roles before being appointed CEO in 2013. Debbie brings over 30 years of experience in organizational, people and cultural development, strategy and policy development, cost reduction and a storied history in civic and community work. Debbie has been an advocate of the credit union philosophy for many years, serving on the Credit Union Advisory Board since 1984.

Debbie served on the Cooperative Services, Inc. Board of Directors from 2013 to 2019 and in various capacities within the CU system, including the GCUA Advocacy Policy Committee, as a Southeastern Credit Union Foundation board member and as an active participant in CUNA GAC and state advocacy events. Debbie and Georgia United help mentor credit union leadership, host events with state legislators, and support the political action committee. Recently, Debbie was recognized as the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates (LSCU) Professional of the Year for her professional contributions to advancing the credit union movement.

Georgia United has been recognized globally for its role in the community, commitment to service and dedication to team member engagement and development. For its positive impact of putting people first, Georgia United was recognized with the 2021 national Top Workplace Woman-Led Culture Excellence Award, the Moxie Award in the Enlightened Employer category, "Top Work Places" by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for seven consecutive years, the international Communitas Award reflecting "people helping people" in service, and numerous local and national awards for Georgia United's School Crashers program. As a champion for financial literacy, Debbie has led a partnership with Junior Achievement® of Georgia, joining its Board of Directors in 2019 and its executive committee in 2021. Through Georgia United Foundation’s programs and partnerships, Georgia United has reached over 130,000 students.

Debbie is dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. Georgia United is a Corporate Partner of the African American Credit Union Coalition and stands with AACUC in the Commitment to Change: Credit Unions Unite Against Racism efforts. Her passion for community and workplace has been recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her work with the Georgia Department of Labor State Employer Committee, where she served terms as chair, vice chair and treasurer. Additionally, Debbie has served on the State Employer Committee Congressional Visitation Team, the Atlanta Regional Workforce Board, the Newton Rockdale Employer Committee, the Central Georgia Society for Human Resources Management, and the Conyers Cherry Blossom Foundation.