Ariel M Woodard-Stephens

Ariel Woodard-Stephens is a dedicated legal professional serving within the National Credit Union Administration’s Office of General Counsel. In this role, she provides strategic legal counsel on merger transactions, capital instruments, and executive order compliance and oversight. Her additional responsibilities include drafting regulations—publishing four in the past year—delivering training sessions to internal stakeholders, and presenting high-level strategic briefings to senior leadership.

Beyond her professional duties, Ariel is an active member of the Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, where she is proudly known as “Justice Ablaze,” #76 of NoVAC’s Spring 26, 99 Degrees of Crimson Fire. Her commitment to community impact is evident through her work with the GWAC and the GWAC Foundation, where she launched the Retreat wellness initiative as well as a LinkedIn series on career pivots and pathways, and collaborated with Citibank in response to the alarming rise in unemployment among Black women in 2025.

Ariel also makes a difference through charitable leadership. She serves as National Ambassador to the NAAF Walk for Alopecia. For the second year in a row, she serves as Walk Site Leader for the Arlington National Alopecia Areata Foundation’s Walk for Alopecia, raising an impressive $50,000 in her first year. Her efforts reflect a deep dedication to advocacy, mentorship, and meaningful community engagement.

Through her professional expertise and unwavering commitment to service, Ariel Woodard-Stephens continues to inspire those around her, advancing equity and wellness initiatives while supporting the missions of the organizations she serves.