When Credit Union Times first launched theWomen to Watch, we wantedto focus on those women working within credit unions. It's been anhonor to be able to recognize those who challenge the status quoand push creative solutions to address what ails their credit unionand oftentimes, the industry as a whole.

What we discovered is that it is just as important to shine thespotlight on those women who have been tirelessly dedicated toproviding support to credit unions. The list is far from complete,but we thought this Women to Watch focus report would be a goodstart to showcase those who choose to champion the credit unionmission every day. You'll find detailed profiles of each of theseamazing women online at www.cutimes.com/W2WCUSupporters.

The Innovator

Theresa Benavidez
President, Corelation

Benavidez has spent her entire career working directly withclients in the credit union industry. Her primary focus is inclient service and product delivery and installation. She hasworked tireless hours with many in the industry, from executives toIT staff to teller trainees, to ensure the success of conversions,system upgrades, and client support. Beyond her experience, whatsets Benavidez apart is her ability to do so with an ever-presentcheerfulness, flexibility, and determination to get the job doneright. Prior to starting Corelation, a San Diego-based coreprocessing vendor,she was with Symitar until the company wassold.

Philosophy She Lives By: Be trueto yourself and others. It's hard to lead others if you are nothonest with yourself and aware of your own limitations. The Communicator CarrieHunt
General Counsel and
Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, NAFCU

Hunt acts as staff liaison to the federal regulatory agencies,assists in handling the development and implementation of NAFCU'sregulatory policies, and conducts analysis, interpretation andexplanation of policy issues impacting NAFCU's members. She alsoanalyzes and manages litigation for NAFCU. Prior to her currentposition at NAFCU, Hunt was associate director of regulatoryaffairs.

Before joining NAFCU, she worked as the legal counsel to formerSen. Andrea Nuciforo, Jr., (D-Mass.) and Senate Chairman of theJoint Committee on Banks and Banking, where she delved deeply intocredit union and financial services issues. Hunt has also worked asa law clerk at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Agraduate of the University of Maryland at College Park and Williamand Mary School of Law, she is a member of the Virginia andMassachusetts Bars.

Philosophy She Lives By: There aretwo that come to mind. One is to stay positive and not get mireddown by the minutia. The second is to not have a philosophy – whatworked yesterday doesn't work today so you have to be flexible. The Listener

Fredda McDonald
Executive Vice President for CU Experience, PSCU

McDonald manages all the departments that impact the creditunion experience from sales to account management and productimplementation to risk operations, Contact Center support andAdvisorsPlus consulting.

She has over 25 years experience in strategy development andrevenue enhancement and spent some 10 years focused on the paymentsindustry prior to joining the St. Petersburg, Fla.-based PSCU andled the sales and account management group of MasterCard'sStrategic Partnership Team. Under her leadership, the team exceededvolume and revenue goals.

Before MasterCard, McDonald established and managed a consultingfirm that provided strategic development and marketing and brandingsolutions for companies in many industries, including financialinstitutions. Her previous experience also includes director ofmarket development for Meridian Management, the marketing arm forthe International Olympic Committee in Lausanne, Switzerland, andtransforming Cadmus Communications from a traditional publishingand fulfillment company into a marketing services provider forFortune 500 companies. 

Philosophy She Lives By: To whommuch is given, much is required. We have a responsibility to giveback. That has lot of energy to it. It's important for everyindividual regardless of where you are in an organization or lifethat you find way to give to others. That's how success is createdall the way around.  TheStudent of Life

Mary Dunn
Senior Vice President/Deputy General Counsel,CUNA

At CUNA, Dunn represents credit union interests before the NCUA,the Federal Reserve Board, and other federal agencies.Dunn is thechief staff liaison to CUNA's Examination and SupervisionSubcommittee and to the CUNA Federal Credit Union Subcommittee. Sheis also a liaison to the CUNA Governmental Affairs Committee andCommunity Credit Union Committee. She writes a bimonthly column forCUNA's Credit Union Magazine and oversees the production of CUNA'sRegWatch and regulatory analyses on all proposed and finalregulations affecting credit unions, as well as Operation Comment,CUNA's Web site to facilitate comments from the credit unioncommunity to regulators.

Prior to joining CUNA in 1987, she served on the staff of NAFCUand on the staff of the U.S. League of Savings Institutions. Dunnhas a bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas, a master'sdegree from George Washington University, and a law degree fromGeorge Mason University School of Law.

Philosophy She Lives By: Just bethe person you look up to. Be your own heroine. The Entrepreneur ShaziaManus CEO, 
The Members Group 
A former credit union CEO, Manus knows what it takes tomake community financial institutions thrive. Prior to joining TheMembers Group in Des Moines, Iowa, she served as the CEO of the$301 million Greater Iowa Credit Union in Ames, Iowa, where shesaid she engineered a significant turnaround of the institution,achieving substantial profitability and membership growth. Manussaid she also led a multi-million dollar business acquisition,adding to the credit union's overall value for members. A veteranof the credit union industry, she has been active on committees andvolunteering both with the industry and her local community.Philosophy She LivesBy: Always push to seekopportunities rather than waiting for something to happen. Look forthe possibilities rather than accepting or saying something can'tbe done or accomplished. TheOptimist Susan Mitchell
President/CEO Mitchell, Stankovic and Associates 
Mitchell has spent over 25 years providingconsulting services to corporate America, specializing in thefinancial services industry. She got her start as a system analystin the computer industry and progressed to hold positions rangingfrom vice president of sales to senior vice president of researchand development in Fortune 500 companies. She was instrumental inthe implementation of SB7, the Redlining Community Reinvestment Actlegislation and she facilitated the capitalization of de novo bankswith the Comptroller of Banks for the State of California. She hasconsulted with Bank of America, Citicorp, and Chase.

Philosophy She LivesBy: For me it's about continuing toengage, being relevant, making a difference, being positive,authentic and working hard. Let your light shine. Be grateful everymorning, live in the moment, be guided by and live true to yourcore values.

The Dynamic Duo

Caroline Willard
Executive Vice President, Markets andStrategy,
CO-OP Financial Services 
Willard is responsible for strategic planning, product development,marketing and market research, and CO-OP Financial Services' pushinto emerging technologies. 

With more than 25 years of marketing and strategic planningexperience, half of which has been in the credit union movement,she joined CO-OP Financial in July 2006 as vice president ofcorporate development. 

In 2008, she was promoted to senior vice president, businessdevelopment and marketing, a post that included responsibility forthe company's 22-member relationship management team and the clientservices department. 

Philosophy She LivesBy: An unexamined life is not worthliving.

Samantha Paxson
Vice President of Marketing, CO-OP FinancialServices

With more than a decade of integrated marketing experience,including 10 years working with the credit union industry, Paxsonwas hired in November 2005 as vice president of marketing, forCO-OP Financial Services in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Herresponsibilities include strategic marketing for all products andlines of business including the firm's CO-OP account and trade andconsumer advertising, brand building, public relations and nationalmedia buying.  Her previous marketing agency work includedtravel and tourism, automotive and consumer goods accounts. 

Philosophy She LivesBy: I believe in curiosity, imaginationand moxie. I'm passionate about uncovering the way to the bestpossible outcome even if it risks expediency. The easiest solutionoften isn't the best solution.   The Problem Solver

Denise Gabel
Chief Finance and Strategy Officer, FileneResearch Institute

Gabel is responsible for identifying trends and opportunitiesoutside the credit union system. Through her high energy style anda natural ability to coax people and ideas forward, she brings newbusiness models, people, and opportunities together.

Prior to joining Filene in Madison, Wis., Gabel served as vicepresident of strategic direction for the $1.6 billion SpokaneTeachers Credit Union in Liberty Lake, Wash.

In her first assignment at Filene, she served as the chiefinnovation officer where she led the prestigious i3 group. She is asumma cum laude graduate of Eastern Washington University, and amember of the Berkeley Innovation Forum at the University ofCalifornia Berkeley, Haas School of business. Gabel also graduatedfrom Harvard Business School's Women's Leadership Forum.

When she's speaking and traveling, Gabel is mentoring andconnecting, constantly looking at trends. 

Philosophy She LivesBy: Do what's right even whenno one is looking.