America’s First Federal Credit Union exec wins "Next Top Credit Union Exec" honor
Birmingham Business Journal | By Michael Seale
Jimese Harkley, philanthropy and community relations manager with Birmingham's America’s First Federal Credit Union was named the 2015 CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec in a recent contest and promotion sponsored by DDJ Myers Ltd. of Phoenix.
Jimese Harkley of America's First Federal Credit Union
Harkley’s winning project idea about a “Community First Campaign” was chosen from a group of international applicants, all age 35 or under, who had been selected by a team of judges as finalists in September. Her project idea combines fundraising with a financial literacy initiative that impacts the lives of not only credit union members, but non-members as well.
In her presentation, Harkley provided suggestions for how credit unions of any size could implement similar programs of their own. As one of five Finalists, Harkley’s blog and video updates over the past few months provided the industry with an insight into the project’s progress, and culminated with a final presentation Monday at CUES’ CEO/Executive Team Network.
Harkley emerged the winner after a four-part scoring process that included judging panel results, a measurement of her social media engagement, plus audience and online voting.
Harkley wins a $20,000 educational prize package that includes registration, accommodation and economy airfare to any two of CUES’ coveted CEO Institutes—one in 2016 and one in 2017—and two remote coaching sessions from CUES Supplier member, strategic partner and challenge sponsor DDJ Myers.