With many 2016 resolutions being kicked off this month, CU Times thought the timing couldn't be better to share some of the best advice from our 2015 Women to Watch honorees.

Think you know someone who should be among the 10 women recognized in 2016? Send in your nominations!

top leadership tips women to watch “I'd advise everyone to create their own values-based mission statement. We've only got one life. If you don't love what you are doing now, then take a moment to think about what you might enjoy doing because you aren't doing anyone any favors by staying put. It's okay if something doesn't meet our expectations because that creates a fire for the next thing. Every career move I've made, I've revisited that statement and it's clear to me when it's time to do something new.”

Jamie Strayer

Founder/Instigator of Goodness

CU Strategic Planning

best leadership tips women to watch “One of the biggest challenges is how to get people motivated to fight to be exceptional. That's where their personal and professional development goals come in. What tools, support and mentoring can we provide each other to help everyone be their best and achieve their goals?”

Amy McGillan

Unit Manger Papillion Nebraska Service Center

Pentagon Federal Credit Union

best leadership tips women to watch “I think dedication to personal development makes anything possible. Don't settle for mediocrity.”

Stacy Filmore

Vice President National Sales and Service

United Federal Credit Union

top leadership tips women to watch “Innovation doesn't pay off in the short term. It takes perseverance and can be a painful process, but it will pay off. Our members' needs keep evolving, and we have to be flexible enough to look for ways to do what we can to meet those changing needs.”

Pam Fleuette

President/CEO

Sussex County Federal Credit Union

top leadership tips women to watch “Be a positive force in your organization. Never stop learning. Work hard, teach and motivate others, and the title and income will follow. Identify two to three people you admire and ask them to mentor you. Don't limit yourself to just female mentors. I've had many mentors over the course of my career. They each taught me something important.”

Sharon Cook

Senior Vice President, Marketing/Public Relations

Mountain America Credit Union

top leadership tips women to watch “Women in particular need to have confidence in their abilities. We need to know what we do well and not be afraid to ask or step out of our comfort zone to do it. It's important to lead with actions and not necessarily words. A true leader is not always the loudest. They could sit back, absorb all the information to summarize everything presented, and then act on those ideas regardless of their position.”

Rebecca Roberts

Principal, Strategic Initiatives

CFCU Community Credit Union

top leadership tips women to watch “Don't be afraid of failure or even success. I'm a firm believer that even if something perhaps didn't work in the past, taking those lessons, looking for ways to improve and maybe providing different options can make it work. If it can't be done in-house, you can always collaborate or find a third party who can help deliver.”

Alyssa Sykes

Vice President, Lending

Sunmark Federal Credit Union

top leadership tips women to watch “I often find that organizations explicitly plan for everything but the people. Take the time to do that, and essentially your strategy will take your succession plan to the next level.”

Maria Rolston

Assistant Vice President, Learning Development

Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union

top leadership tips women to watch “Without the support of my mentor Teresa Andrews and her giving me the opportunities I had, it would have been a longer climb to be where I am today. So, I find it only fitting to be a resource for others. We all need someone to guide us at some point in our careers. Someone once told me that I would someday realize my true potential when I believed I deserved it. They saw something in me that I didn't see in myself and it was in that moment that I felt that much more validated and inspired to increase my professional capacity.”

Tanita Richardson

Assistant Vice President, Real Estate Lending

Chevron Federal Credit Union

top leadership tips “I've never believed that it has been necessary for me to change who I am to 'fit in' a corporate environment. Don't feel defeated by challenges or setbacks. As a young person, it took me a while to learn that when it came to questions of values and fairness, I was ready to contribute even though my technical skills were still developing. Step up to explore doing different things. Mentors can be there to help push you out of your comfort zone, but you have to be self-motivated. You drive your success.”

Marvel Ford

Senior Vice President, Risk Management Officer

California Credit Union

top leadership tips “Credit unions should be committed to examining whether and how they are making a real difference for their members and in their communities. We need to do more than position ourselves as nicer, more affordable alternatives to banks.”

Deyanira Del Rio

Board Chairman

National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions

top leadership tips “The ability to listen is as important as the ability to speak. Are we paying attention to what's going on in the world outside the credit union movement?”

Rose Rangel

Board Chairman

National Association of Credit Union Chairmen

top leadership tips “If you are truly interested in board diversity, then you have to be willing to stretch your reach beyond your usual zones, look for innovators and build a structure so that you have a staggered turnover.”

Juli Lewis

Board Chairman

National Youth Involvement Board

Member Relations Consultant League of Southeastern Credit Unions

top leadership tips “Those of us who are serving or have served must reach back to our sisters and offer our support, guidance and leadership. Always be prepared to step into a leadership role when the opportunity presents itself.”

Susan Streifel

President/CEO

Woodstone Credit Union

CUNA Board Chairman

Instant Insights /

Women to Watch Share Their Top Tips for 2016

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