Thank you for joining us for our November CTC Friday Conversation: "Life in the C-Suite for Women." 

The percentage of women in leadership in the credit union movement is extremely low, even though research proves that advancing women into leadership positions not only bridges the gap in gender equity but also improves overall company success. This was an eye-opening CTC conversation with extraordinary women leaders who shared their personal journeys, the obstacles they've faced, and the strategies they've employed to champion DEI within the credit union system. Together, we uncovered the untapped potential of women leaders and paved the way for a more inclusive and prosperous future in the world of credit unions.

Our esteemed panelists were:

• Deborah Fears, President/CEO, Chicago Post Office Employees Credit Union
• Dayatra Matthews, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel, Local Government Federal Credit Union/Civic Federal Credit Union
• Gloria Dixon, Director Philanthropy & Executive Director BECU Foundation, BECU
  
• Sharon Camper, Chief People Officer, Apple Federal Credit Union & Board Member, AACUC

Carlene Alexander, Global Diversity Officer for United Nations Federal Credit Union, moderated the conversation. 

Keep reading to learn more about our participants.

Deborah Fears

President/CEO

Chicago Post Office Employees Credit Union

Deborah Fears is the President/CEO of Chicago Post Office Employees Credit Union. She has worked in the credit union movement over 14 years and became CEO in 2020. Prior to joining the industry, she spent several years working in human resources. Deborah holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance with minor studies in Japanese from DePaul University. She is a Certified Credit Union Executive (CCUE) and is also a Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE). Deborah serves on various credit union committees and boards within the industry, including serving as Vice President of AACUC's Midwest Regional Chapter, and has a strong belief in the credit union mission of ‘People Helping People’.

Dayatra T. Matthews

Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel

Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU)/ Civic Federal Credit Union

Dayatra (“Day”) Matthews is CLO and General Counsel for the Local Government Federal Credit Union and its affiliated digital-first credit union, Civic Federal Credit Union. Day graduated Phi Beta Kappa from UNC-Chapel Hill and obtained her J.D. from Duke School of Law. A fierce industry advocate, Day was recently elected to the CUNA Board of Directors. In addition, Day just completed her tenure as President of North Carolina’s 10th Judicial District Bar, the bar governing all attorneys in Raleigh, North Carolina. Day holds the distinction of being the first woman of color elected president in that Bar’s 100-year history.

Gloria Dixon

Director Philanthropy & Executive Director BECU Foundation

BECU

Gloria Dixon leads BECU's financial health community giving and BECU Foundation scholarship and impact grantmaking. Born and raised in Milwaukee, WI, she is passionate about community and previously worked for a nonprofit in Wisconsin focused on anti-poverty work under the USDA. She holds a degree in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and leadership certifications from Marquette University, Cardinal Stritch University and Leadership Eastside (Washington). Personally, she is a mother and a grandmother and lives in Washington with her husband Troy. She is an avid scrapbooker and enjoys writing in her journals.

Sharon Camper

Chief People Officer

Apple Federal Credit Union

Sharon Camper is an accomplished human resources executive, with a passion for optimizing organizational performance through its most valuable asset – its people. As Chief People Officer (CPO) at Apple Federal Credit Union, she plays a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s culture, aligning its human capital with its strategic objectives, fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce, and implementing cutting-edge performance management and learning programs.

With over two decades of experience in HR management and talent development, Sharon has honed her expertise in creating an environment that attracts, develops, and retains top talent. Her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is evident in her efforts to create a workplace that celebrates differences and harnesses the power of varied perspectives to drive innovation.

Prior to assuming the role of CPO at Apple FCU, she joined the credit union industry as the Managing Director for State Department Federal Credit Union. Sharon has held several key HR leadership positions in various industries, including finance, media, and retail. Her diverse background has equipped her with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by organizations of all sizes and complexities.

Sharon holds a Master of Science in Organizational Development and Strategic Human Resources from Johns Hopkins University. In addition, Sharon earned a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Building a Diverse Workforce Certificate from Cornell University.  

With her strategic acumen, people-centric approach, and unwavering commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture, Sharon continues to be an influential force in shaping the future of human resources and leadership.

Carlene Alexander

Global Diversity Officer

United Nations Federal Credit Union

Carlene Alexander is a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) professional based in the New York metro area and serves as the Global Diversity Officer at the United Nations Federal Credit Union, where she oversees UNFCU’s Global DEIB.

Carlene holds a Master’s Degree in Human Resources and Labor Relations and a Bachelor’s in Human Resources from Baruch College, City University of New York and a Diversity and Inclusion Professional Certificate from Cornell University.

Carlene is an advisory member and volunteer for UNFCU Foundation. The Foundation supports women and children through healthcare and education.