CUNA News
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • Topics
    • Community Service
    • Compliance
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Credit Union System
    • Directors
    • Human Resources
    • Leadership
    • Lending
    • Marketing
    • Operations
    • Policy & Issues
    • Sales & Service
    • Technology
  • Credit Union Magazine
    • Buyers' Guide
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Edition
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Awards
    • Nominate Credit Union Hero
    • Nominate Credit Union Rock Star
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Jobs
  • Contact

News

Home » Rising to the challenge
Operations CU Rock Stars 2019

Rising to the challenge

Shelli McCoy believes financial education can break the cycle of poverty.

August 21, 2019
Olivia Barrow
No Comments
McCoy_Shelli_1200x630

Generational poverty is the kind of problem that feels way too big for one person to make a difference.

But that didn’t stop Shelli McCoy from leading a major effort to bring financial education to one of the most impoverished areas of Fort Worth, Texas, as the vice president of operations for $86 million asset Tarrant County’s Credit Union, based in Fort Worth.

Shelli McCoy

Click to enlarge. Marilynne Epstein, left, co-trustee, International Credit Union Leadership Development & Educational Foundation, congratulates Shelli McCoy for earning the 2018 Joe Biden Award for Development Educator of the Year for North America.

McCoy created a project to bring financial education courses to several community institutions, including a high school, an emergency youth shelter, and a children’s clinic.

“Our hope is that they’ll use some of the financial tools we’ve given them, which may help break the cycle of poverty that has plagued past generations of their family,” she says.

In recognition of her efforts, McCoy received the Joe Biden Award for Development Educator of the Year for North America in 2018.

McCoy said she was encouraged to hear that the K-12 charter school she had worked with during the project just graduated its first class of seniors with a 100% college acceptance rate.

“That’s change,” she says. “That will change a community.”

McCoy is more than 10 years away from retirement, but she already is preparing the next generation of leaders at her credit union. She believes that leadership development starts with a committed leader.

“Make an investment and make it more than just words,” she says. “Have a crucial conversation when you need to and hold them accountable. Invest in them big. It’s hard work, but the rewards are many.”

Meet the 2019 Credit Union Rock Stars

McCoy believes strongly in the credit union movement, and she strives to develop that same passion within the young professionals in the industry.


She encourages them to participate in education programs such as the Cornerstone Credit Union League’s Leveraging the Credit Union Difference, Cornerstone Leadership Academy, and Young Professionals Conference.

The Leveraging the Credit Union Difference course is especially important to McCoy.

“You learn about credit union pioneers, and how we got from there to here, and the why of what we do,” she explains. “The movement has always been about the people, service, social justice and equality.”

She has seen these courses make a big impact on her employees.

“We hear over and over after the training, ‘I forgot why what we do is so important and impactful,’” McCoy says. “Our hope is that employees realize that working at the credit union can be so much more than just a job.”

Back Rock Stars Next

 

KEYWORDS Credit Union Rock Stars

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment

Credit Union Magazine: Spring 2023

Spring 2023

Credit Union Magazine’s Spring 2023 issue features the 2023 Credit Union Heroes and examines CUNA-League advocacy priorities, board leadership, the impact of financial well-being efforts, fee-related compliance issues, predictions for the year ahead, and more.
Digital Edition •  Subscribe

Trending

  • NCUA, CUNA respond to bank failures: CU deposits remain safe, insured

  • CUNA Mascot Madness: Voting opens for East Region

  • CUNA launches page with bank collapse response resources

Tweets by CUNA_News

Polls

How do you feel about the economy in 2023?

View Results
More

Champion for the Credit Union Movement

Credit Union National Association is the most influential financial services trade association and the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America's credit unions. We work tirelessly to protect your best interests in Washington and all 50 states. We fuel your professional growth at every level and champion the credit union story at every turn.

More CUNA

  • Membership
  • Contact Us
  • Careers

Resources for

  • Credit Union Advocates
  • Leagues
  • Press
  • Providers

Our Affiliates

  • American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL)
  • Credit Union Awareness
  • Credit Union House
  • CUNA Strategic Services
  • National Credit Union Foundation
GET CUNA UPDATES
© 2023 Credit Union National Association | ADA Compliance Notice & Legal
Email Us