Generally speaking, while women are avid users of technology, they tend to be underrepresented in the field.

According to the National Center for Women & Information Technology, women leave tech industry careers at twice the rate of men. In addition, women hold only 5% of technology leadership jobs and just 19% of software developers are female.

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With technology as a traditionally male-dominated field, we thought what a great opportunity to showcase a Women to Watch in Technology feature section. It wasn't an easy task but the five women selected champion the role of technology as a strategic partner to help credit unions continue to be relevant.

It's been an honor to be able to recognize those women who challenge the status quo and push creative solutions to address what ails their credit union and oftentimes, the industry as a whole.

The Tinkerer

Belinda Caillouet
VP Information Technology, Spokane Teachers Credit Union

Caillouet has been championing innovative solutions at Spokane Teachers Credit Union for 26 years. Her leadership at the $1.7 billion credit union in Liberty Lake, Wash., includes building strong technical teams by leading, inspiring, fostering trust and challenging employees to reach their full potential, while mentoring potential leaders.

She earned master's and undergraduate degrees from Gonzaga University and Eastern Washington University, respectively. She serves on the CUNA Technology Council Executive Committee and the advisory board for IT Lifeline, a disaster recovery firm.

The Communicator

Heather Moshier
Executive VP, Information Technology, San Diego County Credit Union

Moshier got her start in credit unions as an accountant until she discovered the field of information technology was her true passion. She joined the $6.2 billion San Diego County Credit Union in 1995 and was promoted to her current position two years after being hired. Moshier's responsibilities during her more than 15 years at SDCCU have included information technology, IT security, eCommerce, disaster recovery, imaging, item processing, information center and training. She oversees SDCCU's member information security program, serves on Symitar's Advisory Board, Fiserv's Technical Advisory Board and is chair of the CUNA Technology Council.

The Explorer

Harmony Paulley
Electronic Records Manager, Co-op Credit Union

Paulley brings 18 enthusiastic years of experience to the $259 million Co-op Credit Union in Black River Falls, Wis. Fueled by curiosity, she said she's learned from a talented group of credit union professionals, giving her insight and experience in a wide range of specialties.

Paulley's credit union career was launched from an intensive finance apprenticeship. She's participated in the World Council of Credit Union's International Credit Union Leadership Program and as a member of The Cooperative Trust, which is a grassroots organization composed of credit union professionals, she enjoys exchanging ideas and expertise with other forward thinkers.

The Cheerleader

Terri Bentley
VP Technology, Redstone Federal Credit Union

An innovator with a proven record for results, Bentley's key accomplishments since joining Redstone Federal Credit Union in 1999 have included the creation of an area focused on continued process improvement and business analytics, upgrading the core software application to a completely new technology, launching a feature-rich mobile banking application and establishing a software development department, which won the Celent Model Bank award for innovation in 2012. During her 14-year tenure at the $3.5 billion credit union in Huntsville, Ala., the technology department has gone from as a cost center to a revenue-generating area.

The Mentor

Jen Shefner
Assistant VP E-Commerce/Interim Member Service Manager, Columbia Credit Union

As a creative thinker and credit union marketer focusing on online channels, Shefner has leveraged her strengths in communication, online marketing and vendor management to deliver results.

Since finding her niche at the over $917 million Vancouver, Wash.-based credit union some 11 years ago, work on a redesign of the website lead to successive promotions. Her responsibilities include executing online strategy, overseeing electronic banking products and services, evaluating vendor partnerships and overseeing the member call center. She is also a member of The Cooperative Trust and a board member of the Young Credit Union Professionals.

Instant Insights /

Cracking the Glass Ceiling in a Male-Dominated Field

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