Kelli Ellsworth Etchison has over 35 years of experience in the credit union industry, including more than 30 years with LAFCU, where she advanced from a loan interviewer to her current dual role as chief marketing officer and chief diversity officer. Kelli is charged with leading an award-winning marketing team to develop and support strategic initiatives through results-oriented campaigns that provide consumer value; she’s also responsible for corporate objectives and outcomes as well as working to establish diversity, equity and inclusion as shared values within LAFCU and in the community.A strong advocate of education, Kelli has spearheaded LAFCU’s college scholarship programs, providing tens of thousands of dollars to high school seniors and non-traditional students, such as women entering and re-entering the workforce, first responders, and active and veteran members of the military and their families.
She has won numerous awards and honors, including the Community Service Award from the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce; the National Sojourner Truth Meritorious Service Award by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs Inc. Greater Lansing Area Club chapter; and the C. Colton Carr Exemplary Volunteer of the Year Service Award from the YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing; The Michigan Credit Union League named Kelli Credit Union Youth Advocate of the Year.
In the community helping people is where you’ll most often find Kelli. Throughout her career, she has served a variety of organizations with enthusiasm and commitment including Lansing Community College Foundation, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan, Lansing Promise Foundation, the Study Committee for the City of East Lansing Independent Police Oversight Commission and the YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing where she was the first Black female selected as board chair. Additionally, Kelli was recently appointed to serve on Governor Whitmer’s Black Leadership Advisory Council.
A native of Pontiac, Kelli earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northwood University and an associate degree from LCC. She also completed the CUES Strategic Growth Institute’s Mergers and Acquisitions program through The University of Chicago School of Business Booth Executive Education.
More fun facts about Kelli: she once made a hole-in-one and won a new car; and she and her dance partner won a Dancing with the Local Stars competition to benefit a local charity.
Kelli and her husband, Robin, have three adult children and four grandchildren. She loves to golf and spend time with family and friends. She has a sincere passion for life, and her enthusiasm is truly contagious.