Several Recognition Awards will be presented to New York credit union professionals and volunteers during the New York Credit Union Association’s virtual 2021 Annual Meeting & Awards Presentation, slated for 3 to 5 p.m. today.

Outstanding young professionals further the credit union “people helping people” philosophy every day. As the next generation of credit union leaders, they demonstrate their passion for credit unions through hard work, dedication, success and engagement in the credit union movement. Today’s featured award is the Outstanding Young Professional Award, which honors individuals 39 or younger whose commitment, hard work and achievements have enhanced their credit union or the entire New York credit union movement.

The Association’s Awards Committee has selected Torii Brawdy, marketing and community relations director at Western New York FCU, vice chair of the Young Professionals Commission and a New York Credit Union Foundation Trustee.

“Torii is a very energetic individual who works well alone, but is also a team player,” said Marie Betti, CEO of Western New York FCU. “She’ll drop everything to assist others with tasks at the credit union. She is a person I can count on to get the job done, which is a huge asset to a credit union of our size.”

Brawdy creates and manages all facets of the Western New York FCU’s marketing, from overall brand and strategy to implementation of tactics. She also coordinates activities and special events for membership and the community and monitors and records results of marketing campaigns as they relate to account opening and loan disbursement.

Brawdy has had a big impact on her credit union, its membership, the Erie- Niagara Chapter, the YPC and the credit union movement as a whole since her journey at Western NYFCU began, said Kaleb Wilson, AmeriCU financial center manager, who nominated her. “She is instrumental in her institution’s membership growth and the communication to them, ensuring that there is a consistent, clear and sometimes fun approach to dealing with them,” he said.

She is also involved in her community, and currently serves as president of the West Seneca Chamber of Commerce. She has been a part of multiple initiatives, activities and events at Western New York FCU to help the local community and the credit union’s membership.

Wilson said that he can “unequivocally” say that Brawdy is one of the future leaders of the credit union movement. “She has a deep care for her credit union, the movement, her membership, fellow employees and her community,” he said.