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Board of Directors Nominating Committee

Our Nominating Committee’s Final Slate of Candidates

As a Member of True North FCU, a Member-Owned Cooperative, you have the opportunity to elect your volunteer Board of Directors.

The True North Nominating Committee has named Valerie Mertz, Heidi Hansen, and Juliana Leggitt as their candidates for the three Board seats that expire in 2025. Below is information about the nominated candidates:

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Valerie Mertz (Incumbent)

Valerie has lived in Juneau for over 45 years, where she raised her two daughters with her husband, Max. She holds Bachelor’s degrees in Finance and Accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant in Alaska. For the past twelve years, Valerie has served as the Chief Financial Officer for the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation. Before this role, she spent ten years providing financial consulting services to non-profits and small businesses in Juneau.

Since 2019, Valerie has been a member of the True North Board of Directors, where she currently serves as Treasurer and Chair of the Personnel Committee. Additionally, she has held various roles, including Treasurer and Meet Director for the Glacier Swim Club and Membership Chair for Alaska Swimming. Valerie is also a member of the University of Alaska Southeast Business Advisory Council.

Heidi Hansen (Incumbent)

Heidi Hansen has spent fifteen years in Washington, DC, where she served as a federal civil servant for the US Army and later for the US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. After returning home, she worked as the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources and as Associate General Counsel at Doyon, Limited, before transitioning to financial services. Currently, Heidi is an Independent Advisor Representative at the country’s second-largest independent broker-dealer. She has a unique understanding of how Alaskans are positively impacted, both personally and professionally, by the decisions made by True North Federal Credit Union, which is why she is interested in serving on its board.

Heidi also serves on the board of Alaska Public Media and is an active member of the Rotary Club of Juneau. Additionally, she is a former board member and active participant in the Alaska Miners Association. In her free time, Heidi enjoys fat tire biking in the winter, traveling, and spending time outdoors with her husband and their goldendoodle.

Juliana Leggitt

Juliana is an accomplished and passionate professional with a strong focus on government relations, policy analysis, and community development. With nearly seven years of robust experience in Alaska’s Legislative and Executive branches, she has made a significant impact through her roles in the Alaska State Legislature, various state agencies, and the Governor’s office. Her expertise extends into the non-profit sector, where she effectively collaborated with federal agencies and local communities to develop and manage a multi-million dollar grant designed to foster the state’s nascent mariculture industry.

Joining the True North Federal Credit Union Board would not only deepen her understanding of the financial opportunities and challenges that communities face but also enable her to be a more effective advocate and resource for them. Juliana’s commitment to enhancing community welfare through informed financial decision-making makes her an ideal candidate for the board. Residing in Juneau, with her husband and two beloved dogs, she is eager to leverage her experience to drive positive change for her community.

According to our bylaws, you may still apply to serve on the Board of Directors by Petition. Below is information on that process.

  • To request an application to apply for the TNFCU Board of Directors by petition, please contact the administrative office by emailing admin@truenorthfcu.org or by calling Melinda Wheeler at 907-523-4726.
  • Applicants must be over the age of 18 and members in good standing.
  • To qualify by official petition, you must obtain at least 130 signatures of other True North FCU Members. Only Credit Union members who are 18 or older and members in good standing are eligible to sign the petition. These signatures should not be obtained while in a Credit Union branch.
  • Based upon your consent on the Director Application, True North will conduct a background check and verify that you are eligible to be covered by our bond.
  • Fully completed Official Petition forms and accompanying documents must be submitted in one packet to any True North branch or mailed to True North FCU, Attention Nominating Committee, 2777 Postal Way, Juneau, AK 99801 by March 31, 2025 by 5:00 PM.

In the event that no applications by petition are received, Ms. Hansen, Ms. Mertz, and Ms. Leggitt will be considered elected to the Board as of the annual meeting. If qualified applications are received, further communication about voting will follow.

Thank you for your membership and participation in the Board election process!