McDermott + Bull has successfully placed Deena Otto as President and Chief Executive Officer at Southland Credit Union. In this role, Deena will lead the organization’s strategic plan, financial performance, and cultural evolution, while advancing Southland’s commitment to operational excellence, community impact, and member-centric innovation. She will serve as the institution’s chief strategist, cultural ambassador, and executive leader, guiding a high-performing team and partnering closely with the Board of Directors during a pivotal phase of growth and transformation.
Deena brings more than 20 years of leadership experience spanning financial services, marketing, business development, and operations. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President/Chief Operating Officer at Stanford Federal Credit Union where she oversaw retail banking, contact center operations, marketing, and business development. Prior to that, she spent 15 years with Wescom Credit Union in a range of senior leadership roles. Earlier in her career, she held positions at Nike and in the technology sector, building expertise in brand development and innovation. Deena holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Portland State University and an MBA from Washington State University.
Headquartered in Los Alamitos, Southland Credit Union is a $1.3 billion community-chartered institution serving more than 70,000 members across Los Angeles and Orange counties. The credit union offers a full range of financial products and services and is recognized for its high employee tenure, low turnover, and strong commitment to member service, innovation, and community partnership.
To learn more, read the official press release published by Southland Credit Union.
This executive search was completed by McDermott + Bull President Brandon Biegenzahn, Partner Courtney Dorrel, and Director Rachel Crisi.