Board Member Spotlight: Melanie Kennedy
Melanie Kennedy serves as a Director on the Foundation Board and serves as President/CEO of Southwest Financial FCU in Farmers Branch, TX.
Learn more about Melanie and her passion for the Foundation and credit unions below:
What piqued your interest in joining the Foundation Board?
I have always been a fan of the National Credit Union Foundation. As an America’s Credit Union Board Member, I was honored when I was asked to serve on this board as an appointee.
What are you most proud of during your time on the Foundation Board?
I am pretty new to the National Credit Union Foundation board. But, I am most excited about creating awareness of and telling the benefits of the National Credit Union Foundation.
What is the Foundation’s most important role within the credit union system?
The National Credit Union Foundation is crucial in so many ways, from financial education to financial support. When credit unions think about financial education, we think about it from a member perspective. The NCUF offers the training and guidance that credit unions need (and want) in order to be able to have the financial education expertise on staff. Additionally, the NCUF supports credit unions and our members in so many ways, like grants and scholarships to get those cool programs off the ground and keep them going.
So many of us know the National Credit Union Foundation through one or more of our brands, Development Education, CUAid, Herb Wegner Memorial Awards, etc. However, so many credit unions don’t realize the support that the National Credit Union Foundation provides to our state and local foundations. Without the support of the NCUF, some state foundations would really struggle to have the same impact and reach.
Why do you think it’s important for the credit union system to support the Foundation and its work?
The National Credit Union Foundation is truly an essential part of the credit union system. Every Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) will tell you that the passion they have for the credit union movement was re-energized through this program. Honestly, the passion and purpose gained through DE has truly made a difference not only in my professional life but in my credit union’s mission as well. But, the NCUF is so much more than DE. It goes beyond DE and grants, it looks for real-world problems and solves them!
Recently, the NCUF launched a program to help teens transitioning out of the foster care system. I can’t imagine what these young adults have gone through and seen in their lifetimes. But I do know that most of them haven’t had the opportunity to create a banking relationship, know the best way to create one, or why they need one. The transition from foster care to the real world is already scary enough. Introducing these teens to a financial partner that can guide them and grow with them is invaluable. This program really speaks to my heart.
A great way to describe the National Credit Union Foundation is they are the heart of the credit union system.
What inspires you to continue your work within the credit union system?
I know it’s cheesy…I love people helping people. If you know me, you know that I have never met a stranger. Networking and collaboration are my jam!
What’s one thing – either industry-related or not – you learned in the last 6-12 months?
Over the past year, I have had the opportunity to see the credit union industry from a different lens. I have really come to realize the value in the credit union system as a whole and how it all connects. From my credit union, my league and my state foundation to America’s Credit Unions, the National Credit Union Foundation, and the World Council of Credit Unions. Having the opportunity to see the entire industry as a whole has been eye opening and so rewarding. We all need to support the entire system so that we can remain strong and thriving.
What is your favorite hobby?
While I pretty much live, eat, and breathe credit unions, I am a proud mom! My daughter shoots competitive archery and is currently ranked in the Texas Top 10 in Young Adult Freestyle. When we aren’t shooting archery, we Jeepin’ and off-roadin’.
What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?
My daughter and I recently moved to the country and raise chickens. There is nothing more exciting than watching tiny dinosaurs run for treats!