Board of Directors
Meet the Board of Directors
Stephanie Mansfield
Chair
Regina Board Member since: 2013 |
Stephanie grew up in a small town in South West Saskatchewan, where early in life she became familiar with the benefits of the cooperative way. She has been a member of TCU Financial Group since 1996. She has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan and is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources. In December 2020, she retired from the Regina Police Service after 25 years of service – first as a 9-1-1 Operator/Police Dispatcher and finishing as a Human Resource Consultant. In her retirement, she worked part time as the HR/Business Manager at the Veterinary Mobility Center until becoming fully retired in April of 2024. She lives in Regina with her husband, Tom, and their two cats. She is the proud mother of three sons and grandmother to two grandsons. |
Angela Prokop
Vice Chair & Chair - Governance & Human Resources Committee
Regina Board Member since: 2020 |
Growing up in small town Saskatchewan, Angela is very familiar with the vision and values of credit unions and her first bank account was a Fat Cat account! Angela convocated from the University of Regina with a Bachelor of Administration in 2001. Following graduation, Angela enrolled in the CASB program while working at Virtus Group in Regina. In 2003, Angela accepted a position with Ashton Chartered accountants in Hay River, NWT and finished her CA designation. In 2005, Angela accepted a position with Deloitte in Bermuda. After her initial contract with Deloitte, Angela accepted a role with Lancashire Insurance Company also in Bermuda where she stayed until 2011. After moving back to Canada, Angela has worked for the Government of Saskatchewan as a Financial Analyst and served as the SVP/CFO for Harvard Media before joining Thyssen Mining in 2023 as the Controller. Angela married her husband Mitch in 2016 and together have grown a real estate investment business, which led them to TCU Financial. When not working, Angela spends much of her spare time travelling or at their cottage which was purchased with the help of TCU Financial. |
Jeff Brown
Regina
Board Member since: 2024
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Jeff Brown is committed to serving the people of Saskatchewan. He is currently a Director of Business Improvement with the Government of Saskatchewan, has received awards for his contributions to the public service, and holds a Masters of Business Administration (Executive Management) from the University of Regina. Jeff has been a TCU member for 19 years. He and his wife Melanie are proud to call Regina home. As a board member, Jeff hopes to make a difference by offering his skills and perspectives as TCU Financial Group supports people and businesses to achieve their goals where we live and work. |
Nicole Cox Chair - Audit & Conduct Review Committee
Saskatoon Board Member since: 2019 |
Nicole has been a member of TCU for as long as she has had a bank account. Her family has worked with TCU from both a personal and small business standpoint. Nicole is currently employed at the Saskatchewan Health Authority as Director of Quality, Safety, and Logistics for Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. Simply put, her job is about ensuring patients get the best service from the lab that they can possibly provide. It requires strategic thinking, regulatory compliance, and working with a team of fabulously talented individuals. Nicole believes that the work they do makes a positive impact to patient health care, which is important to her. Nicole loved school and earned a BSc in Microbiology, MSc in Anatomy and Cell Biology, and an MBA from the University of Saskatchewan. Reading, seminars, and extracurricular courses continue to feed her drive to learn new things. She would love the opportunity to learn more about TCU and the needs of other members. Nicole wants to contribute to our community as well as make a positive impact on overall financial health. |
David Froh Regina
Board Member since: 2022
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A TCU member for over 30 years, David is a community leader with 15 years of experience in international trade and economic development, having recently served as Vice President, Economic Development Regina. Currently, Vice President of the Regina Food Bank, David works to fight food insecurity. David‘s passion is working to make Saskatchewan a more caring, dynamic and prosperous community by identifying opportunity and then rallying the community around ways to make it happen. David is a Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) and holds a Master of Arts in Political Science. David offers governance experience having chaired the boards of the Regina YMCA, Regina District Industry & Education, and Regina Warehouse Board of Directors. David is a deep believer in the cooperative and credit union movement, and along with his wife Ashley and children Lydia & Oliver are proud to call Regina home. His family enjoys paddling, camping, and exploring our great outdoors. |
Brett Gerich
Saskatoon
Board Member since: 2022 |
Growing up in a bedroom community outside Saskatoon, Brett has been a credit union member since childhood and a TCU member since 2004. Brett currently resides in Saskatoon with his wife and two amazing children. After convocation from the University of Saskatchewan College of Commerce in 2007, Brett entered into the Economic Development sector with SaskMetis Economic Development Corporation (SMEDCO) in a business advisory role. He found a passion for economic development and provided advice and financing for the entrepreneurial ambitions of the Metis Nation - Saskatchewan citizens. During the Saskatchewan construction boom, Brett decided to leave the economic development field and pursue a trade as an electrician. After obtaining journeyman status, Brett found himself serving Metis people with an affordable housing provider in Saskatoon. While in this role, he managed a large residential revitalization project of a 400-plus unit portfolio. As this project was completed, a position was available back at SMEDCO, where he is now the Operations Manager. Brett is excited about the future of TCU Financial Group and its membership. He hopes to offer a different perspective and to support the executive management's role in caring for the well-being of the staff and the TCU members. |
Donald Hobday Chair - Risk Committee
Regina
Board Member since: 2021 |
For most of his career, Donald has held in-house roles because of the opportunities to provide meaningful legal advice with a view towards the strategic goals of the client organization. He believes advice should be able to anticipate the unexpected. Donald has been a member of TCU since the 1980s. As a teenager, he attended co-op summer camps. Courses on co-operative development, history and economics were part of his undergraduate education. Donald is a believer in putting in the effort to fully grasp any questions and challenges that may arise, analyzing and evaluating all recommendations that come forth, and providing the best direction that can put the interests of the organization and its members first. Donald is from Saskatoon and resides in Regina. |
Greg Lepp
Saskatoon
Board Member since: 2023 |
Greg was born and raised in Saskatoon and opened his first bank account at TCU Financial Group. He convocated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. His working career includes 26 years at Federated Co-operatives Limited, where he developed a sound understanding of the Co-op business model, 2 years with a small technology company, and he is now the Branch Manager for Xylem in Saskatoon. Greg believes it is important to give back to your community, and in addition to his being on the TCU Financial Group Board of Directors, he is a volunteer board member with the Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Foundation. |
Norm Peel
Regina
Board Member since: 2023 |
Norm grew up in Regina and has been a proud member of TCU Financial Group for over 35 years starting out with a children’s savings account. TCU has been a big part of the major events in Norm’s life including his education, homes, and retirement savings. Norm believes being a part of the Board is an opportunity to guide TCU’s future so it can have the same positive impacts on others’ lives. Norm holds a Bachelor of Administration from the University of Regina along with being a professional accountant (CPA, CMA) and holds a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation. Through Norm’s 20+ years of professional experience he has worked in many industries including hospitality, manufacturing, agriculture, and wholesale trade. Since 2012 He has worked for Warner Industries as their Chief Financial Officer. Outside of work, Norm enjoys spending time at the cabin with his wife, Jamie, and their daughter Erica. |
Sheldon Gerspacher
Saskatoon
Board Member since: 2024 |
Sheldon grew up in Saskatoon and has been a TCU member since he opened his first bank account 30 plus years ago. Sheldon graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1999 with a Bachelor of Commerce with a double major in Marketing and Human Resources and has spent his entire career in the agricultural industry. Throughout his career Sheldon has been involved in advancing and growing the agricultural presence of Saskatchewan manufactured and Saskatchewan owned agricultural equipment both domestically and internationally. After a 17 year career with Case New Holland managing a large group of sales and marketing professionals located throughout North America he has moved to Brandt Industries, a locally owned Saskatchewan Agricultural and Construction company, where he is Vice President of Global Sales for Agricultural products. When not traveling for work Sheldon and his wife Vanessa enjoy spending time at their cabin at Emma Lake and enjoying all the great outdoors has to offer. |
Board Structure
TCU Financial Group’s board of directors is responsible for overseeing and stewarding the credit union’s operations on behalf of members.
The credit union’s Bylaws allow for members to elect 10 directors. Directors are elected for three-year terms and may be re-elected, with no limit on the number of terms a director may serve. Each year, the directors elect a chair and vice-chair from among themselves.
To assist it with its work, the board has established a number of standing committees, including:
- Audit & Conduct Review
- CEO Compensation & Performance Review
- Executive
- Governance & Human Resources
- Risk
Director Responsibilities
Being a TCU Financial Group director is a big responsibility. While management oversees the day-to-day operation of the credit union, the board of directors provides guidance on long-range objectives, determines policy and monitors the credit union’s overall progress. It’s a job that demands a significant investment of time, energy and expertise.
Specific responsibilities include:
- Fulfilling a number of statutory duties specified in the Credit Union Act and Credit Union Regulations
- Acquiring and continually upgrading knowledge about the financial services industry, all aspects of TCU Financial Group’s business, regulatory issues and the business environment in general
- Attending all meetings, unless there are significant extenuating circumstances
- Preparing thoroughly for board and committee meetings and making a positive contribution to those meetings
- Keeping informed about activities occurring within the areas served by TCU Financial Group
- Serving on committees of the board
- Undertaking all required director training and keeping current on evolving corporate governance standards and practices
- Acting as an ambassador of TCU Financial Group
Board Committees
Directors are required to serve on committees of the board that carry out legislated and delegated duties. These committees include:
Audit & Conduct Review
The purpose of this committee, from an audit perspective, is to provide independent oversight of the credit union's operations and to ensure the accuracy, integrity, security, prudence and legality of its financial transactions and records. From a conduct review perspective, this committee is to ensure the integrity and objectivity of its Directors, Officers and Employees. This committee monitors and reviews related party transactions with the credit union to ensure they are fair and that best judgement is exercised in all matters or related party relationships as a result of real or perceived conflict of interest.
CEO Compensation & Performance Evaluation
The purpose of the CEO Compensation & Performance Evaluation Committee is to ensure that a fair, equitable and competitive compensation program is provided for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Additionally, this committee conducts the CEO performance evaluation and sets the performance plan for the following year.
Executive
The purpose of the Executive Committee is to act in the capacity of, and on behalf of, the Board of Directors between regular or special Board meetings on all Board matters except those which the Board may not, in compliance with legislative requirements, delegate. Additionally, this committee sets the Board of Director’s regular meeting and planning meeting agendas.
Governance & Human Resources
The purpose of the Governance & Human Resources committee is to ensure an appropriate governance structure is in place, to oversee the election process of the Board of Directors, the Board evaluation and development process, along with human resources. This includes the compensation philosophy and culture of the organization. Additionally, this committee works closely with the executive management to formulate policies and practices to meet the needs of our members, staff and the corporate entity.
Risk
The purpose of the Risk Committee is to ensure a strong enterprise risk management framework exists. This framework provides reasonable assurance that strategic, operational, financial and regulatory objectives are achieved. The committee oversees the identification, measurement and development of strategies to manage those risks. The committee also oversees the compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
Board Effectiveness
TCU Financial Group board’s focus on effectiveness, renewal and diversity ensures the board successfully upholds and fulfills its leadership and oversight responsibilities to members. It also ensures the board remains abreast of changes in the financial services industry, government relations and the credit union’s evolving strategic direction and that its members as a whole possess the qualities, attributes, experience and skills required to effectively steward the organization.
This process begins by identifying the key characteristics desired of directors. It continues with the board regularly monitoring its effectiveness and the effectiveness of individual directors through formal and informal evaluations. Where opportunities are identified to improve effectiveness, directors are supported through ongoing education and development.
The board also focuses on continually renewing itself, replacing directors who retire or unexpectedly resign or changing the board’s makeup to help it achieve long-term success and better cope with changes to the internal and external business environment.
Finally, the board recognizes that diversity is an essential element in attracting high-caliber directors, maintaining a high-functioning board and building a competitive advantage. The board considers diversity in determining the optimum composition of the board and its committees and takes steps to ensure its membership is balanced appropriately.
Board-approved Policies
Like all governing bodies, the TCU Financial Group board of directors is guided by a number of important rules. TCU Financial Group has a set of formal rules which are document in Board-approved policies.
Accountability
TCU Financial Group’s directors are required to attend a number of scheduled meetings each year. These meetings include quarterly board meetings, a budget meeting, planning sessions and a few of other planned and unplanned special meetings. In addition, each director is required to serve on at least one board committee, which meet at least quarterly.
The organization expects directors to attend as many meetings as possible. Simple attendance, however, does not constitute effective directorship. Rather, the credit union believes it is more important for directors to be thoroughly prepared, to be engaged in meetings and to make a sustained, positive contribution to the credit union’s success.
Director Compensation
Directors are expected to devote considerable time and energy to fulfilling their obligation to oversee the credit union on behalf of members. Each year, directors are required to attend quarterly board meetings, planning sessions and a number of other planned and unplanned special meetings. In addition, each director is required to serve on at least one board committee.
Compensation is set at a rate comparable with like-sized credit unions.