Women of Banking (formerly Women of Community Banking)

Women of Banking Podcast
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  • Updated Weekly

World’s #1 Podcast featuring journeys for Women leaders of Banking.

  1. 4d ago

    Navigating Large Credit Union Mergers & Culture Alignment | Susan Peyret, CFO, Keesler Federal

    In this episode of the Women of Banking Podcast, host Anurag Mukherjee sits down with Susan Peyret, Chief Financial Officer at Keesler Federal Credit Union. Susan shares her unique career trajectory—transitioning from wealth management and financial advisory roles at major wire houses like Merrill Lynch into credit union executive leadership. She offers an insider look at leading full-scale financial due diligence through one of the largest credit union mergers across Mississippi and Louisiana, managing culture integration, and navigating complex core system conversions. The discussion delves into how modern credit union CFOs balance rigorous financial discipline—such as managing liquidity, controlling operating expenses, and optimizing asset liability management (ALM)—with an unwavering member-first mission. Susan breaks down how generating strong top-line earnings enables credit unions to deliver higher member dividends, competitive loan discounts, and sustained community investment. Key Topics Covered: Susan Peyret’s non-traditional path from wealth management to Credit Union CFO Executing M&A financial due diligence and managing core banking conversions Aligning organizational culture and multi-institution teams during mergers Strategic balance sheet management: Capital adequacy, liquidity, and ALM Levers Balancing strict cost controls with long-term technology investments and fintech competition Translating financial performance into direct member value and community impact Navigating macroeconomic pressures, inflation, and changing consumer expectations Career wisdom on self-reflection, mindfulness, and professional growth in financial services About the Guest:Susan Peyret serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Keesler Federal Credit Union. With nearly two decades of financial services experience—including 15 years within the credit union movement across organizations like Amplify, Fortera, and Keesler Federal—Susan brings a forward-looking, strategic lens to balance sheet management, corporate finance, and community-focused banking. About the Show:The Women of Community Banking Podcast highlights female leaders, executives, and innovators shaping the future of credit unions, community banks, and financial institutions across North America.

  2. Aug 11

    How Tech is Changing the CFO Role - Youssi Farag, CFO, WEOKIE Federal Credit Union

    In this episode of the Women of Banking podcast, host Anurag Mukherjee sits down with Youssi Farag, Chief Financial Officer at WEOKIE Federal Credit Union, to explore her inspiring journey from starting as a bank teller after moving from Egypt to becoming an executive leader in financial services. Youssi breaks down the unique mission-driven model of credit unions, how modern technology and automation are shifting the modern CFO's role from historical accounting to forward-looking strategy, and what it truly takes to practice authentic leadership as a first-generation immigrant and executive mother. The Immigrant Mindset & Executive Growth: Moving from Egypt to the United States, earning an advanced business degree, starting at entry-level banking roles, and navigating the path to C-suite leadership through performance, discipline, and resilience. Credit Unions vs. Community Banks: Why credit union cooperative models prioritize member value and financial wellness over pure shareholder profitability. The Evolving CFO Role: How real-time data analytics, automation, and cybersecurity have transformed corporate finance from manual data gathering to strategic story-telling and risk management. Authentic Leadership over Fitting the Mold: Overcoming gender, age, and cultural barriers by leading with empathy, transparency, and trust rather than trying to be the loudest voice in the room. Work-Life Focus over Perfection: Practical advice for balancing family, career demands, and executive responsibility by prioritizing purpose rather than chasing everyday perfection. Community Banking Beyond Balance Sheets: How local events like "Heard on Heard" and "Credit Union in the Park" align financial strength with true community connection. 00:00 - Introduction & Welcome: Youssi Farag, CFO of WEOKIE Federal Credit Union 01:07 - Youssi’s Immigrant Story: From Egypt to Bank Teller to CFO 03:51 - Mission-Driven Banking: Community Banks vs. Credit Union Cooperatives 06:19 - Women in C-Suite Leadership: Overcoming Career Barriers with Credibility 08:34 - Leading with Discipline and Empathy: Why Authenticity Matters 10:11 - Executive Advice for Balancing Career, Family, and Growth 12:24 - How Technology and Automation Transformed the CFO Role 14:28 - Community Impact Beyond the Balance Sheet: "Heard on Heard" & Credit Unions 16:10 - Closing Remarks Youssi Farag is the Chief Financial Officer at WEOKIE Federal Credit Union, one of Oklahoma's premier financial cooperatives. Born and raised in Egypt, Youssi earned her undergraduate degree in Business Administration and a Master's degree from Poitiers University in France. With an extensive background spanning credit analysis, banking operations, and financial management, she is dedicated to balancing financial discipline with member-first service and community empowerment. The Women of Community Banking podcast, hosted by Anurag Mukherjee, spotlights top female executives, innovators, and leaders transforming credit unions, community banks, and financial technology. Guest Info: Youssi Farag, CFO, WEOKIE Federal Credit Union #WomenInBanking #CreditUnions #CommunityBanking #CFOInterview #FinancialLeadership #WomenInLeadership #WEOKIE #Fintech Key Takeaways & Discussion HighlightsEpisode TimestampsAbout the GuestAbout Women of Community Banking Podcast

  3. Aug 5

    How Credit Unions Scale: M&A, Growth & AI | Jamie Harrison, Chief Growth Officer, Meritrust Credit Union

    In this episode of the Women of Banking Podcast, host Anurag Mukherjee sits down with Jamie Harrison, Chief Growth Officer at Meritrust Credit Union. With over two decades of dedicated service at Meritrust, Jamie shares her inspiring career evolution from marketing and retail into leading end-to-end growth strategy across the organization. Jamie breaks down what it truly takes to drive scalable growth in modern financial institutions—from executing strategic M&A mergers and navigating complex cultural integrations to shifting from a traditional "member" mindset to an agile "customer-first" perspective. Discover how Meritrust is leveraging prescriptive banking, data-driven personalization, and high-impact community and NIL athletic partnerships (including the Denver Nuggets' Christian Braun and KU Jayhawks) to cut through market noise and win long-term loyalty. The Evolution of CGO in Credit Unions: Why unifying product development, marketing, channels, pricing, and member experience under one growth charter eliminates operational silos. M&A as a Growth Engine: Inside Meritrust’s merger with Premier Members Credit Union, expanding from Kansas into high-growth Denver, Colorado. Merging Cultures & Managing Risk: Balancing innovation with risk mitigation when unifying two distinct operational mindsets across core systems. Customer vs. Member Mindset: Why framing members as customers with choices drives superior digital experiences and retention. Prescriptive Banking & Data: How credit unions can utilize transactional data to anticipate financial needs rather than relying on lagging indicators. Strategic Co-Branding: How athletic and university partnerships build instant brand trust and market relevance in expansion markets. 00:00 – Introduction & Jamie Harrison's 20+ Year Journey 01:39 – Combining Business Strategy with Mission-Driven Purpose 03:25 – What Does a Chief Growth Officer Actually Do Day-to-Day? 06:48 – M&A in Credit Unions: Merging with Premier Members CU 09:40 – Cultural Integration, Core Conversions & Innovation Risk 12:03 – Member vs. Customer Mindset: Why Choice Matters 14:35 – Digital Transformation & Prescriptive Banking 18:45 – Cutting Through Noise: Brand Partnerships, NIL & Market Expansion Guest: Jamie Harrison, Chief Growth Officer at Meritrust Credit Union Host: Anurag Mukherjee Show: Women of Community Banking Podcast #CreditUnions #CommunityBanking #Fintech #CreditUnionGrowth #ChiefGrowthOfficer #PrescriptiveBanking #BankingInnovation #MeritrustCreditUnion #MergersAndAcquisitions #WomenInBanking 📌 Key Takeaways & Highlights⏱️ Chapter Timestamps👤 About the Guest & Host

  4. Jul 29

    Driving Member Loyalty & Digital Growth | Adrienne Cabal, SVP of Digital Delivery, Fairwinds

    How do credit unions scale modern digital banking while retaining the high-touch, human connection that members trust?In this episode of the Women of Community Banking podcast, host Anurag Mukherjee sits down with Adi, Senior Vice President of Digital Delivery at Fairwinds Credit Union in Orlando, Florida. With over 23 years of dedicated service at Fairwinds, Adi shares her inspiring career transition from classroom teacher to financial executive, revealing how educational principles drive impactful corporate leadership and team development.Discover how Fairwinds Credit Union is revolutionizing digital onboarding, elevating Net Promoter Scores (NPS) above 85+, and creating a mission-driven culture centered around true financial wellness and debt-free banking.----------------------------------------------------------------📌 KEY TOPICS COVERED----------------------------------------------------------------• Career Pivots in Banking: Transitioning from teaching to executive leadership in financial services.• Mission-Driven Culture: Inside Fairwinds Credit Union’s "20 Year Club" and employee retention strategies.• Financial Freedom Philosophy: Why Fairwinds actively discourages predatory debt products and partners with Dave Ramsey.• Humanizing Digital Delivery: Centralizing digital onboarding to eliminate member friction while keeping human touchpoints intact.• Gen Z & Financial Literacy: The shift from social media financial advice (TikTok/Instagram) back to trusted community banking relationships.• Women in Financial Leadership: Overcoming corporate workplace expectations, building confidence, and mentoring the next generation of female executives.----------------------------------------------------------------⏱️ CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS----------------------------------------------------------------00:00 - Introduction & Welcome01:38 - Clarifying Roles & Background01:59 - From Classroom Teacher to Banking Leader03:48 - Finding Passion in Corporate Training & Leadership Development06:29 - Why Culture & Longevity Matter: The Fairwinds 20-Year Club08:15 - Financial Freedom & Anti-Debt Banking Philosophy10:43 - Modernizing Digital Delivery in Credit Unions12:52 - Digital Experience vs. Human Touch: What Members Really Want14:41 - Centralizing Digital Onboarding & Boosting NPS to 85+18:48 - Navigating Gen Z, Social Media Advice, & Trusted Banking21:35 - Women Leadership in Banking & Overcoming Corporate Challenges25:09 - Career Advice for Aspiring Women Leaders in Financial Services----------------------------------------------------------------👤 ABOUT THE GUEST----------------------------------------------------------------Adi is the Senior Vice President of Digital Delivery at Fairwinds Credit Union, headquartered in Orlando, Florida. Over her 23-year career with Fairwinds, she has led initiatives across corporate training, retirement services, operations, product management, contact centers, and digital delivery. Beyond financial services, she is a certified personal trainer, fitness enthusiast, and home cook aspiring to author a cookbook.----------------------------------------------------------------🎙️ ABOUT WOMEN OF COMMUNITY BANKING----------------------------------------------------------------The Women of Community Banking podcast highlights top female executives, leaders, and innovators transforming community banks and credit unions across the United States. Hosted by Anurag Mukherjee, the show explores career journeys, operational excellence, fintech integration, and the future of community finance.----------------------------------------------------------------🔍 KEYWORDS & GEO TOPICS----------------------------------------------------------------Women of Community Banking, Fairwinds Credit Union, Digital Delivery, Credit Union Leadership, Digital Onboarding, Banking Digital Transformation, Female Financial Executives, Net Promoter Score in Banking,

  5. Jul 22

    Eleni Giakoumopoulos on GWLN, Global Cooperatives & Advancing Women in Banking.

    In this episode of the Women of Banking Podcast, host Anurag Mukherjee sits down with Eleni Giakoumopoulos, Director of the Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN), representing the World Council of Credit Unions and the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions. With a cross-cultural career spanning over 30 countries across Europe and North America, Eleni brings a global perspective on how financial cooperatives, credit unions, and community banks can drive gender equity and empower women in leadership. The Business Case for Women in Banking: Why investing in women leaders and designing loans for women entrepreneurs directly impacts business success and community strength. Global Insights for U.S. Credit Unions: What American financial institutions can learn by listening to their international peers in the global credit union movement. Overcoming Systemic Barriers: The interplay between self-advocacy, cultural norms, and structural changes needed in financial institutions to elevate female executives and board members. Developing the Leadership Pipeline: Practical advice on grooming, retaining, and elevating rising women in community banking. Global Women's Leadership Network (GWLN): Eleni’s work across global co-ops and her recognition receiving the inaugural Pink Gem Award in Stockholm. "Do not be afraid. Be bold, use your voice, make your voice heard, and ask for the next opportunity... Everything we are doing is not just for us today, but for future generations of women in leadership." — Eleni Giakoumopoulos 00:00 – Introduction: Anurag Mukherjee welcomes Eleni Giakoumopoulos 01:00 – Eleni’s Journey: From Greece to global marketing & cross-border finance 03:25 – Early career in the EU, Black Sea regional development, and joining the World Council 05:28 – Why investing in female leaders & women-led businesses is good for the bottom line 07:29 – Lessons from global credit unions: Why U.S. leaders must stay open to peer learning 09:12 – Systemic barriers vs. self-advocacy: What is actually holding women back? 12:43 – How to build and sustain a resilient pipeline of women executives 15:23 – Eleni’s Pink Gem Award recognition in Stockholm 16:57 – Key advice for aspiring women leaders in credit unions and finance 18:08 – Closing thoughts and wrapped-up takeaways Learn more about the Global Women's Leadership Network (GWLN): https://www.woccu.org/gwln World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU): https://www.woccu.org/ Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions: https://www.woccu.org/foundation Eleni Giakoumopoulos serves as the Director for the Global Women's Leadership Network (GWLN), dedicated to advancing women into leadership roles within the global financial cooperative movement. Anurag Mukherjee hosts the Women of Community Banking Podcast, a dedicated platform highlighting female executives, board members, and leaders shaping the future of community banking and credit unions. #WomenInBanking #CreditUnions #CommunityBanking #FemaleLeadership #GWLN #WOCCU #FinancialInclusion #GenderParity #WomenInFinance #GlobalLeadership 🔑 Key Topics Covered in This Episode:🎙️ Key Quotes & Advice for Aspiring Women Leaders:⏰ Timestamps:🌐 Connect & Resources:👥 About the Hosts & Guest:

  6. Jul 16

    Next-Gen Credit Union Leadership: Empathy, Clarity & Strategy | Women of Banking Podcast

    What does it truly take to step into the CEO seat and shape the next generation of leadership in credit unions? In this powerful episode of the Women of Banking podcast, host Anurag sits down with two phenomenal female executives making waves in the financial ecosystem: Deena Otto, CEO of Southland Credit Union, and Steph Sherrodd, CEO of Sunward. Whether you are an aspiring executive, a mid-level manager looking to level up, or a veteran leader building a sustainable organization, this candid conversation delivers raw, authentic wisdom, and actionable leadership blueprints straight from the top. In this episode, we break down: * The CEO Transition: What changes when you step into the top role (and why clarity is ultimate kindness). * The Art of Alignment: How a leader synchronizes boards, employees, members, regulators, and communities. * Emotional Intelligence in Banking: Embracing Victor Frankl’s philosophy on controlling your reactions to environmental chaos. * The "Not 100% Ready" Rule: Why taking leaps before you feel fully prepared is critical to career acceleration. * Functional Mobility: How both Deena and Steph broke the mold by transitioning from Marketers to financial CEOs. * Succession Planning & Deep Benches: Strategies for empowering EVPs, providing structured learning, and building cross-functional leadership pipelines. Leadership isn't a sprint; it's a marathon. Tune in to discover how to find your "Why," connect with the right Board of Directors, and make the critical hiring decisions that sustain long-term growth. --- ## 📌 Timestamps 0:00 - Introduction to Deena Otto (Southland CU) & Steph Sherrodd (Sunward) 0:45 - What Does Great Leadership Look Like? (Setting Expectations & Clarity) 1:35 - Creating Alignment Across Stakeholders, Boards & Regulators 2:45 - The Biggest Leadership Lesson: Controlling Reactions & Victor Frankl 3:48 - Seizing Opportunities Before You Feel 100% Ready 5:10 - The Journey to the CEO Seat: Mentorship & Intentional Decisions 6:10 - Breaking Out of Functional Silos (From Marketing to CEO) 8:00 - Career Advice for Aspiring Female Credit Union Executives 9:20 - Knowing Your "Why" & Finding the Right Board Fit 12:15 - The "Repetition" Mindset of Executive Interviewing 12:53 - The Power of Mentors: Shaping Brand Strategy & Balance Sheets 15:15 - Resolving the Succession Planning Crisis in Credit Unions 17:30 - Building a Deeper Bench: Mid-Level Leader Programs & Executive Exposure 20:05 - Advice to a Younger Self: The Leadership Marathon vs. Sprint 21:50 - The Weight of Hiring Decisions & Managing Underperformance 23:02 - Wrap-Up & Closing Remarks --- ## 💡 About The Guests: * Deena Otto is the Chief Executive Officer of Southland Credit Union. With a background rooted in marketing and brand strategy, she emphasizes operational transparency, member experience, and building cross-functional agile teams. * Steph Sherrodd is the Chief Executive Officer of Sunward. Formerly the longtime CEO of TDECU, Steph brings decades of executive experience focused on strategic alignment, structured leadership development, and empathetic workforce management. --- ## 🔔 Connect With Us: Subscribe to the Women of Banking channel for more candid conversations, expert panels, and strategic insights from the industry's top leaders. #WomenOfBanking #CreditUnion #CEO #BankingLeadership #WomenInFinance #ExecutiveCoaching #SuccessionPlanning #CreditUnionCEO #LeadershipDevelopment

  7. Jul 14

    How Credit Unions Win on Member Experience & Culture | Jennifer Kimmell, TruWest Credit Union

    Welcome to a brand new episode of the Women of Banking podcast. In this episode, host Anurag Mukherjee sits down with Jennifer Kimmell, the Chief Experience Officer (CXO) of TruWest Credit Union, to discuss how credit unions successfully differentiate themselves in an increasingly digital financial landscape. Jennifer shares her incredible professional journey—spanning three decades in financial services and over 20 years dedicated to credit unions—highlighting how she rose from an entry-level teller position to the C-suite. As a leader who manages marketing, operations, and experience, Jennifer provides a masterclass on balancing employee experience with exceptional member service. Discover how TruWest Credit Union, which originated as the Motorola Employees Credit Union, maintains an astonishing average employee tenure of over 10 years, and how that internal culture translates into members being recognized by first name when they walk through the door. The Journey from Teller to CXO: Why the credit union industry captivates financial professionals and how frontline experience shapes executive leadership. The Blueprint for Employee & Member Experience: Why investing in internal culture and empowering employees is the true foundation of customer delight. Competing Against Big Bank Tech Budgets: How community financial institutions leverage their "connective tissue" to win against multi-billion dollar IT budgets and fast-moving fintech competitors like Chime and Chase. The Evolution of Digital Banking: Embracing emerging fintech, mobile deposits, and personalized digital experiences while maintaining strict security and community trust. Financial Literacy as a Community Strategy: Transforming credit unions into safe harbors by educating the next generation on credit scores, home buying, and debt management. The Power of Authentic Mentorship: What it means to be a true champion for your team, embracing failure as a path to growth, and building the next generation of leadership. The Heart of Community Banking: A touching story about a retired Marine veteran that perfectly encapsulates why members are treated as people, not numbers or P&L entries. Jennifer Kimmell is the Chief Experience Officer at TruWest Credit Union, overseeing experience, marketing, and operations. In addition to her role at TruWest, she serves as the Second Vice Chair of America's Credit Union Council Executive Committee, helping oversee eight prominent councils. Outside of the financial world, Jennifer is a dedicated club volleyball mom and full-time shopper based in Phoenix, Arizona. Subscribe to the Podcast for more insightful interviews with female executives and industry leaders shaping the future of community banking and credit unions. Visit TruWest Credit Union: Learn more about their financial services and community initiatives. #CreditUnions #CommunityBanking #MemberExperience #Fintech #FinancialLiteracy #WomenInBanking #Leadership #BankingTechnology #CustomerExperience #TruWestCreditUnion

  8. Jul 8

    How Credit Union of America Grew Gen Z Members & Built a High-Volume Digital Branch | Nicole El-Chami, COO, Credit Union of America

    How do you fast-track your career from a part-time teller to Chief Operations Officer (COO) in just 16 years? In this episode of the Women of Community Banking podcast, we sit down with Nicole El-Chami, COO of Credit Union of America (CUA), to unpack her incredible journey of career velocity, operational excellence, and leadership in the credit union and fintech space. Nicole shares her exact framework for vertical growth, explaining how accountability, a reputation for turning around struggling departments (like slashing call center wait times from 40 minutes), and proactive mentorship paved her way to the C-suite. We also dive deep into the strategic side of modern community banking. While many financial institutions struggle to attract younger demographics—with the average community bank customer hovering around 53 years old—Credit Union of America has cracked the code. Nicole reveals how CUA dropped their average active new member age to just 35, making Gen Z their fastest-growing demographic. Discover the operational balance between expanding physical branches and scaling a high-volume digital branch that outperforms the bottom half of their physical footprint combined. Plus, get her take on why EQ (Emotional Intelligence) trumps IQ when managing people and navigating complex digital transformations like AI and RPA implementation. Key Takeaways from This Episode: The Accountability Mindset: How treating challenges as leadership opportunities accelerates executive promotions. The "And" Model of Banking: Why community financial institutions must provide robust digital banking channels and face-to-face complex advisory services, rather than choosing between them. Gen Z Acquisition Strategy: How Credit Union of America successfully acquires younger members using automated digital onboarding and local community impact. Operational Excellence Defined: Embracing "progress over perfection" to implement AI and digital transformation seamlessly without disrupting member trust. The Power of Sponsorship: The critical role internal mentors and public advocates play in opening doors to executive rooms. Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction & Nicole’s Non-Typical Journey1:00 - The 16-Year Path: From Part-Time Teller to COO2:00 - The Secret to Career Velocity: Extreme Accountability3:10 - Becoming a "Firefighter": Turning Around Call Center Operations5:00 - Defining Operational Excellence in Modern Banking6:10 - Digital Branch vs. Physical Branches: Finding the Right Balance7:50 - Cracking the Gen Z Code: How CUA Grew Younger Memberships10:00 - Mentorship, Executive Sponsorship, and Continuous Learning12:20 - Rapid Fire: Grit, AI vs. Personal Touch, and MBA vs. Real-World Experience14:00 - EQ vs. IQ: Why Relationships Dominate the Credit Union Industry About Our Guest:Nicole El-Chami is the Chief Operations Officer at Credit Union of America. Over a 16-year tenure, she has held roles across the complete operational spectrum—including frontline member service, payments processing, dispute management, deposit operations, contact center leadership, and digital branch strategy. She is a recognized leader in credit union innovation, driving operational efficiency while maintaining the cooperative movement's core focus on community impact. Connect with Us: Subscribe to the Women of Community Banking Podcast for more interviews with executive women and fintech innovators driving the financial services industry forward. Drop a comment below: What is the biggest operational challenge your financial institution is facing when integrating AI? #CreditUnion #CommunityBanking #Fintech #WomenInBanking #BankingLeadership #DigitalTransformation #GenZBanking #FinancialServices #CareerVelocity #WomenOfCommunityBanking

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