GIOVANNA SAVAGE
Gainesville
Summary
Senior operations and financial services executive with 25+ years of leadership experience driving operational excellence, strategic growth, lending performance, and organizational efficiency within financial institutions. Proven success leading cross-functional teams, optimizing operational processes, improving member/client experience, and managing large-scale daily operations in highly regulated environments. Experienced in executive leadership, operations management, lending, compliance oversight, branch administration, staff development, process improvement, and strategic planning. Recognized for building strong teams, increasing loan growth, strengthening operational performance, and leading organizations through growth and change. Currently pursuing executive leadership, consulting, operational advisory, or business operations opportunities where strong leadership, strategic thinking, and extensive financial operations expertise can deliver measurable impact.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President of Operations
MPS Credit Union
Miami, Florida
07.2006 - 06.2025
- Served as a senior executive leader overseeing daily operations, branch administration, member services, teller operations, and operational strategy for the organization. Worked closely with executive leadership to support strategic initiatives, operational efficiency, compliance, and organizational performance.
- Key Accomplishments
- Directed and supervised branch operations, teller services, and member service departments organization-wide.
- Developed and implemented operational procedures that improved workflow efficiency and service consistency.
- Partnered with executive leadership in strategic planning and operational decision-making.
- Oversaw ACH, ATM, direct deposit, share draft, and Visa debit card operational functions.
- Helped strengthen organization-wide sales and service culture through cross-department leadership.
- Served as liaison to the Credit Union Shared Service Centers of Florida.
- Managed staffing, scheduling, employee development, performance reviews, and compensation recommendations.
- Maintained operational compliance and supported BSA/AML program requirements.
- Built collaborative relationships across departments to improve organizational effectiveness and member satisfaction.
- Provided operational leadership and support across multiple functions as needed.
Vice President of Lending
South Florida Federal Credit Union
Miami, Florida
03.1999 - 07.2005
- Directed lending and collections operations while leading loan growth initiatives, underwriting operations, policy development, and staff management. Reported directly to executive leadership and Board of Directors regarding lending performance, portfolio growth, and strategic initiatives.
- Key Accomplishments
- Increased vehicle-secured loan volume by 52%.
- Grew total loan portfolio by approximately 20% annually.
- Exceeded annual new loan goals by 35%.
- Personally originated more than $25 million in consumer loans, including vehicle, boat, home equity, second mortgage, credit card, and unsecured lending products.
- Broke underwriting production records for both loan volume and dollar value during consecutive quarters.
- Implemented second mortgage and home equity lending programs.
- Developed and implemented lending policies, procedures, and marketing strategies.
- Led and supervised lending staff, underwriting operations, and collections functions.
- Served on the Asset Liability Management (ALM) Committee.
- Organized and managed large on-site vehicle sales events with more than 200 vehicles in inventory.
- Managed complex member lending relationships and operational problem-solving.
Education
Associate of Science - Business Administration
Broward Community College
Pembroke Pines, FloridaSkills
- Executive Leadership
- Operations Management
- Strategic Planning
- Lending & Credit Operations
- Process Improvement
- Team Leadership & Development
- Compliance & Risk Oversight
- Business Operations
- Member/Client Experience
- Branch Administration
- Portfolio Growth Strategies
- Vendor & System Management
- Policy & Procedure Development
- Staff Coaching & Performance Management
- Relationship Management
- Financial Services Operations
Affiliations
- Florida Credit Union League
- FISERV Spectrum Systems User Group
CONSULTING & ADVISORY EXPERTISE
- Credit Union Operations
- Lending Process Improvement
- Branch Workflow & Operational Efficiency
- Staff Training & Leadership Development
- Policy & Procedure Development
- Member Service Optimization
- Operational Audits & Process Reviews
- Compliance & Operational Support
- Small Financial Institution Advisory Services
Languages
Spanish
Timeline
Vice President of Operations
MPS Credit Union
07.2006 - 06.2025
Vice President of Lending
South Florida Federal Credit Union
03.1999 - 07.2005
Associate of Science - Business Administration
Broward Community College