James Hunter directs the cultural diversity and community inclusion efforts for New Orleans Firemen’s Federal Credit Union.  As a certified credit union manager, financial counselor, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mastermind, he actively partners with management and leadership to embed DEI and the credit union difference into every strategic initiative. As the executive director of The Faith Fund, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, Hunter is committed to serving the underserved by providing unique products and services designed to help people break the financial wealth divide.  In previous roles Hunter has served as the Chief Lending Officer for Alternatives Federal Credit Union. Furthermore, he was Senior Vice President for Mortgage Lending at HOPE, where he provided leadership and direct oversight to HOPE’s mortgage division and strategic initiatives. During his tenure, mortgage lending increased by 117 percent, generating more than $50 million in loans across the Deep South, one of the most impoverished regions of the nation. Hunter holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Communication and Human Relations from Western Illinois University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Webster University. He is a member of Habitat for Humanity and Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program.