What does it take to walk into a boardroom seven months pregnant, interview for the CEO position, and walk out with the job offer that same evening? That's exactly what Kim Sponem did — and 24 years later, she has grown Summit Credit Union from a 200 million dollar institution into an 8 billion dollar powerhouse, making her one of the most accomplished credit union leaders in the United States. In this episode of Women of Community Banking, host Anurag Mukherjee sits down with Kim Sponem, President and CEO of Summit Credit Union in Madison, Wisconsin, for one of the most candid and inspiring conversations in the show's history. Kim doesn't just talk about strategy. She talks about the real stuff — being told she'd never get the job because she was young and pregnant, writing 20 life goals at age 13 including running her own company, and learning early in her career that red ink on a paper is not a punishment but a gift. What You'll Hear in This Episode How Kim began her career at the Credit Union Executive Society right out of the University of Wisconsin and built her expertise from the ground up. Why she called out the elephant in the room during her very first CEO interview and how humor and honesty won over the search committee. The mentor who edited her college papers with so much red ink that it changed how she thought about feedback forever. How Blue Ocean Strategy shaped Summit Credit Union's decision to focus deeply on the women's market — a move that has defined the institution for decades. Why Kim believes branches are not dying and will actually become more important over the next ten years, not less. Her honest perspective on artificial intelligence and what it will mean for credit union members going forward. The one decision she is most proud of in her entire career as CEO. The single piece of advice she would give to her 25-year-old self. About Kim Sponem Kim Sponem is the President and CEO of Summit Credit Union, headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. Under her leadership spanning more than two decades, Summit has grown from a 200 million dollar credit union into one of Wisconsin's largest financial institutions with over 8 billion dollars in assets. Kim is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and a longtime advocate for financial literacy, women's financial empowerment, and member-centric banking. She began her career at the Credit Union Executive Society, where she developed a deep understanding of executive leadership before building her own path to the top. About Women of Community Banking Women of Community Banking is a podcast dedicated to celebrating the leaders, trailblazers, and innovators shaping the future of community banking and credit unions across North America. Each episode features honest, unscripted conversations with executives who are redefining what it means to serve members, communities, and the people who depend on local financial institutions. Host Anurag Mukherjee brings a global perspective to these conversations, drawing on his own journey from a small town in India to the forefront of financial services consulting. Key Topics Covered Credit union leadership, women in financial services, community banking, CEO journey, credit union growth strategy, member experience, artificial intelligence in banking, Blue Ocean Strategy, financial inclusion, servant leadership, women entrepreneurs, career advice, Summit Credit Union, Wisconsin credit unions, the future of bank branches, feedback and professional growth, mentorship, female leadership, and the credit union movement in 2026. Resources Mentioned Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne Summit Credit Union — summitcreditunion.com Credit Union Executive Society — cues.org
