MelissaDomingues, CFO of the $576 million, Beaumont, Texas-based MobilOilCredit Union, was driving when she received an unexpected phonecall that would change the trajectory of her career. The callerwasn't a recruiter who would typically make a job offer, but ratheran elated credit union CEO who was intent on offering her the jobhimself.

“I was up against people who had way more experience than me,even a person who knew people within the credit union, includingthe CEO … I really thought it was a long shot,” the latestTrailblazers 40 Below honoree said. “I applied for it anywaybecause I thought it was a good fit. However, I didn't think Iwould get it.”

Domingues nervously accepted her first position in seniormanagement, but still wondered if she could really do the job.During her 90-day review, she asked the CEO if he felt like he madethe right choice.

“I absolutely made the right decision,” he responded.

She knew then that her fearlessness had paid off.

“I strongly believe that people back down from something becausethey're afraid of it,” she added.

One of her favorite quotes, by Virgin Group founder RichardBranson, reminds her that risks are often worth taking. It reads:“If someone gives you an amazing opportunity and you're not sureyou can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later.”

Her willingness to accept any challenge has been an ongoingtheme in her 19-year career. She says she will never stop learningand listening, and encourages others to do the same.

Domingues' career began early in life. She graduated from highschool a year early and was attending college when she found a jobas a teller at a credit union. Her mom saw the position advertisedwhile flipping through a newspaper (the real handheld kind, as shejokingly pointed out).

“I called and applied for it and got the job,” she said. “Once Isaw what credit unions stood for, I really had no looking back andI can't imagine doing anything else.”

She held a number of jobs in the credit union industry beforeeventually becoming a CFO. While working as a CFO for anothercredit union, she took the risky move of shrinking the balancesheet below the institution's $200 million goal. A long-standinginvestment on the books was causing the credit union's net worthratio to dip below 7% – a figure that can gather attention fromregulators.

“The higher the assets go, the lower the ratio goes. I[recommended] … we shrink a little bit, and that was unheard ofbecause everyone wants to grow, grow, grow,” she explained. “It washard because we had people who had been there for decades who knewmore than I did, and here I am this young, first-time CFO saying weshould shrink and that was unheard of.”

After a round of conversations, she was able to get everyone onboard with the change.

The credit union intentionally dipped below $200 million over aperiod of months. Then the net worth ratio increased to more than8%, and the credit union experienced the best three years in itshistory, she recalled.

Leading a team through a challenge is when Domingues said shefeels most empowered. She also empowers those around her bycollaboratively working with her employees on constant processimprovement. She challenges her fellow employees to do thingsbetter, even if it involves a dramatic departure from how thingshave always been done.

This keen eye for process improvement proved to be invaluable ina previous role, when she knew a change had to be made to CallReports after she opened a report and stretched its adding machinetape across her entire office. She challenged her employees tocreate a report with no tape, and that challenge was met. Heremployees worked with programmers to automate the process andeliminate the tape, cutting production time by more than 75%, andultimately saving money and countless man hours.

As CFO at MobilOil, she's been involved in several notableinitiatives, including a lending product called express loans,which cater to members who may not have good credit. No creditcheck is required and members only need to meet certain criteria toqualify, including having an account in good standing,participating in direct deposit for at least six months, being amember for one year and making the payment via auto transfer.

Dominuges says the loans offer a special service to thecommunity. “I know we live in a time where there does notseem to be loyalty among consumers, but I do believe my creditunion has very loyal members, because we help them when otherfinancial institutions will not,” she said.

Domingues pointed to additional improvements that she's involvedwith as CFO. For example, the credit union switched to a new coresystem in 2011.

“Many credit unions are limited in the ability to serve theirmembers because of their core system, and it is a big deal for acredit union to make the decision to convert systems,” shesaid.

The credit union is also bringing credit cards in-house andissuing EMV chip credit cards in about six weeks, which will makeit easier for members to manage their cards, she said. It's alsoplanning to improve its online account and loan applications, andis looking at new loan origination systems.

“I am proud that we are not afraid to take on major projects toimprove the service for members and efficiencies for employees,”Domingues noted.

All of these improvements and initiatives seem to be paying off,as MobilOil has been extremely successful financially, sheemphasized.

“As of December 2015, we were in the top 4% nationwide out ofall 6,000-plus credit unions on return on assets, and we continueto have positive loan and share growth,” she said. “All of this hashelped give us the ability to be innovative and offer competitiverates, products and services.”

For those looking to grow and improve, Domingues offered advicethat was given to her early on in her career: Don't be afraid towant my job.

“I want them to want my job,” she said. “I think it's actuallyhelped employees push themselves a little harder. And I keep incontact with quite a few that have moved on to bigger and betterthings. They tell me they wouldn't be where they are if it weren'tfor me. I understand that, because I feel like I wouldn't be whereI am if it weren't for the people who encouraged me.”