As Founder and CEO/Treasurer of the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union (TUFCU), in Toledo, OH, Suzette Cowell has been a staunch supporter of the 4,900-member community development institution. With an asset size of 14 million TUFCU is credited with revitalizing the central city neighborhoods around it.

The first Community Development Credit Union (CDCU) in Northwest Ohio, the birth of the credit union was the vision of Cowell's pastor, the Bishop Duane C. Tisdale of Friendship Baptist Church. Cowell, with the assistance of Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur of the 9th District, agreed that a CDCU would be best for the central city community. Partnerships were formed with several others who came together to research the concept for starting the pioneering venture, and their dreams were realized when in 1996, the institution was chartered. Known in her community as a woman of unshakeable spiritual faith, Cowell patiently has seen the credit union through good and bad times. To save the institution, through challenges of current economy, Cowell has enlisted the support of her church family, the community, and her A-list of powerful and growing friends to unite to keep the dream of Toledo's first-ever community development credit union afloat.

Under Cowell's fierce leadership, the collective wealth of the predominately African American central city was realized as vibrant and strong enough to support a credit union. As a result, Toledo Urban has spurred a plethora of economic development in Toledo. In 2002, Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union was the first credit union in the United States to partner with the Internal Revenue Service for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program known as VITA, and since inception, has helped bring over $2M in tax refunds into the community. In 2005, to help bring the African American community together, it was Cowell's vision to have an African American Festival which is now in its 19thYear. The festival has had over 20,000 attendees and collaborations have been formed with banks, insurance companies, hospitals, schools, universities, and various other organizations.

In 2007, through Cowell's vision the Dorr Street Coalition was born; the Coalition is made up of community leaders who have focused on revitalizing the Dorr Street Corridor. In 2015, through fundraising and community efforts, Cowell's vision for the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union opening the doors to its very own brick and mortar facility came to fruition. Prior to her position with Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union, Cowell worked as a loan officer for the Toledo Police Credit Union and served on the management team of First Federal Savings & Loan for more than 16 years. Cowell's past organizations include the board of directors of the National Federation of Community Development Credit Union, the Economic Opportunity Planning Association of Greater Toledo (EOPA), past chair of the Trustee Board of Friendship Baptist Church, and board member of Woodlawn Historical Cemetery. She is also a former foster parent and current Board member with the Lucas County Children Service Board. Cowell currently serves on the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union Board, Lucas County Children Services Board, Toledo Port Authority Board, Notre Dame Education Foundation Board, Toledo Urban Foundation, Inc. Board, Northwest Ohio Scholarship Fund Board and is the Chairwoman of the Dorr Street Coalition. She was a graduate of the first graduating class of the National Federation Community Development Credit Union Institute in New Hampshire.