FOLSOM, Calif. – (May 19, 2023) – The Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber
of Commerce has elected SAFE Community Impact Manager Amanda Merz chair of the Board of Directors.
Merz is the first SAFE employee to be elected and has served on the board since 2018. Recently voted Credit
Union Hero of the Year by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA)’s Credit Union Magazine, Merz was honored Thursday, May 18
at the Asian Pacific Chamber’s 30th Anniversary
Reception for her new appointment.
Merz says she looks forward to further enriching the community as chair.
“My fellow Board members are amazing community leaders,” she says. “Having the chance to work and
collaborate with them to really drive this work forward is very exciting.”
The chamber strives to strengthen Sacramento’s diverse business community through initiatives like the Sacramento
Inclusive Economic Development Collaborative (IEDC) and Minority
Business Attraction and Retention Kickstart (MBARK) among others.
From left, Amanda Merz, SAFE Community Impact Manager and newly elected SACC Board Chair; Allison Yee-Garcia, SAFE Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications; Rebecca Delmundo, SAFE Assistant Vice President of Community Relations.
SAFE Credit Union has worked closely with the Asian Pacific Chamber for nearly 10 years, participating in affiliated
programs like the chamber’s Catalyst Leadership
program to develop emerging leaders within the local AAPI community.
“Ensuring people have the necessary tools and supplies to build up their community is the way we really see
change made in Sacramento,” Merz says. “Those changes help next generations thrive, they right wrongs of
the past, and that’s very important to me. That’s my core belief system right there.”
This year marks the chamber’s 30-year anniversary in the Sacramento area. The chamber celebrated its
anniversary with a reception on Thursday, May 18 to recognize local visionaries who make valuable contributions
within Sacramento’s Asian American and Pacific Islander-owned businesses.
The chamber is also hosting its annual AAPI Night Market Friday, May 19 in
Downtown Sacramento. Organizers say the event AAPI’s diverse cultures through a variety of dishes, apparel,
home goods, wellness, and art to reflect the uniqueness of Sacramento’s AAPI community.
To speak to SAFE Credit Union Community Impact Manager Amanda Merz about her recent election or chamber initiatives,
please contact Communications & Public Relations Specialist Adrianna Valencia at [email protected] or (916) 580-9474.
About SAFE
SAFE Credit Union has made members an integral part of its vision since 1940. Over the years the credit union has
kept the focus on what really matters, putting members first, a formula that has seen SAFE grow into a leading
financial institution in Northern California with $4.5 billion in assets and about 234,000 members. SAFE crafts
every cutting-edge product and sterling service with members’ needs foremost in mind. In addition to banking
services conveniently available through online, chat, mobile, or phone options, SAFE offers in-person care for
members and small businesses at service centers across the Greater Sacramento region. SAFE is a not-for-profit,
state-chartered credit union with membership open to businesses and individuals living or working in Sacramento,
Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Sutter, Butte, Nevada, Solano, San Joaquin, Contra Costa, Yuba, Amador, and Alameda
counties. Insured by NCUA. www.safecu.org