Reflecting on Five Years as MCUL CEO
When I stepped into the role of CEO of MCUL in 2021, as the first woman to lead the association, I was thrilled and so grateful for the opportunity. While I had been with the League for a few years already as EVP/COO, taking the reigns as CEO was full of a lot of firsts. It was the first time I would be reporting the board. It was the first time I was ever a CEO! It was the first time I was fully responsible for an entire team. Now, as May marks five years as CEO, I find myself naturally reflecting on that moment and everything that’s happened since — what I’ve learned along the way and how much has changed in our movement and for me, personally.
I came to the League in 2018 after two decades as a litigation attorney, and while I understood the issues impacting credit unions, advocacy was the biggest shift for me. Outside of the courtroom, I hadn’t been a credit union advocate like I am now, where I’m Hiking the Hill, sitting down with lawmakers and regulators and serving as a vocal champion on a regular basis. And what's surprised me most about advocacy is the strong presence credit unions have in Lansing and D.C. We are a force to be reckoned with! Not only in Michigan but with our credit union family around the country. I’ve seen it firsthand with our members during Hike the Hill, at our GAC and at America’s Credit Unions’ GAC. The passion I see from those in our movement made me proud to be a more integral part of it.
Most of what’s changed in the last five years has centered around technology, naturally. We’ve seen fraud evolve rapidly in ways that take advantage of trust and create real harm for members, with smaller credit unions feeling that impact most. And artificial intelligence has very quickly become part of our everyday reality, alongside growing discussions around crypto, stablecoin and blockchain. We’ve also seen a shift in how credit unions want to receive information, with more emphasis on channels like social media, apps and podcasts. But outside technology, consolidation has continued across the industry, adding another layer of complexity for credit unions as they work to serve and grow.
But we shouldn’t confuse consolidation for a lack of enthusiasm or engagement within our movement. In fact, I’ve seen an impressive amount of momentum gained in our young professional network during the last half-decade. Watching that group continue to grow and step into new roles year after year has been incredibly encouraging, and it gives me a lot of confidence in where our movement is headed.
It’s nearly impossible to talk about the last five years without mentioning the COVID pandemic. It came relatively early in my tenure and demanded an immediate shift in how I thought about leadership — doubling down on supporting our team internally while also showing up in a stronger way for credit unions externally. That experience reshaped how I view my responsibilities and reinforced something I still believe today: being present and showing up for others often matters more than having all the right answers.
That moment also underscored for me that leadership isn’t something you do alone. Over the past few years, I’ve made a conscious effort to grow by leaning into national relationships, spending more time with league presidents across the country and serving alongside them through AACUL and America’s Credit Unions. That community, and the relationships I’ve built in those spaces, has been incredibly supportive, and it’s broadened my view of the issues credit unions are facing across the movement. I have also enjoyed connecting with our Michigan credit unions. When I am invited into talk to teams and boards about the League and advocacy, I get inspired to see what’s happening inside our credit unions and the impact credit unions have in their community.
And in connecting with others, I like to think I’ve learned a lot about people over these five years. That’s especially clear when I look at our MCUL and CUSG teams and see how powerful purpose really can be. Serving credit unions gives meaning to our team members’ work every single day. We genuinely feel that they’re making a difference, whether through advocacy, education, communications or the products and partnerships we bring forward. That passion runs deep, and it’s something that I’ve learned is important to recognize and reinforce internally.
Also during the five years as CEO, I took on the leadership role at our CUSO, CUSG. I have settled into that additional commitment over the last couple of years, and I am proud of the team that brings innovative and important solutions to credit unions and other industries helping our clients achieve more.
As I look ahead to the next five years, I hope I’m carrying the same incredible team with me. We’ve built something special together, and I’m excited about what’s still ahead as we continue to learn, grow and serve this movement. I’m also taking with me a deeper appreciation for listening — really listening. Whether it’s with our team or with the credit unions we serve, taking time to process, reflect and be clear before responding makes all the difference.
When I step back and process these first years of my time as CEO of MCUL, they’ve been the most rewarding of my career. I was proud of my years practicing law, but I truly feel like I’ve found my rhythm. The work can feel exhausting and exhilarating at the same time! I feel grounded in this work, grateful for the people I get to do it with and confident that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. Shout out to my team and amazing board members! Thank you for showing up with me every day.
Thanks for reading.
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