Credit: Manor College.
Anatoli Murha, CEO of the Ukrainian Selfreliance Federal Credit Union, has been named the Commencement Orator for Manor College’s 2025 Commencement Ceremonies, the institution announced.
“It’s an honor to me,” Murha said. “This is something that comes up organically that you don’t expect. When your peers think you have something to say and share based on your background, it’s special. I feel very humbled that someone would want me to share my experiences.”
Murha became the CEO of UKRFCU in 2024. He began his tenure at the institution in 2011 and rose through the ranks, serving as Business Development and Marketing Manager, Director of Retail Operations and Senior Vice President.
Murha graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications and Public Relations at the University of Michigan – Dearborn and a Master of Business Administration at Villanova University.
During his career, he’s received numerous awards. In September 2021, he was presented the Honored Worker of Culture for Ukraine award by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his first visit to Washington D.C. He’s additionally provided leadership in the Ukrainian arts community by serving as President and Treasurer of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of North America.
In addition to his speech, Murha will be awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.
“Anatoli’s leadership of the UKRFCU is not merely a corporate role,” Dr. Jonathan Peri, Manor College President, said. “He pours his heart into serving the Ukrainian community and the greater community. For those community members, it’s not easy to make a life in a new country or to boost one generation atop the prior’s shoulders. For them, Anatoli is making a life of making the American dream possible.
Murha calls his path unconventional. He thought about a job in public relations but then moved into real estate before coming to UKRFCU. For his speech, he hopes students understand that no matter what path you take, “it’s your path and you get to define what you do in life.”
“I wasn’t a good high school student and it took me a while to find myself,” Murha said. “No matter what, it’s your path to take. All those experiences led me to the credit union and to move to Philadelphia. They allowed me to find myself and find my purpose. What I want to convey to the group on May 15 is that if you feel that you’re not sure what you want to do, you’re not alone, and that’s OK.”
