How a 35-Year Credit Union Veteran Defines "Financial Freedom" | Jill Sammons, BCU | Women of Banking Podcast

In this episode of the Women of Banking Podcast, host Anurag Mukherjee sits down with Jill Sammons, Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth and Engagement at BCU (Baxter Credit Union), who has spent more than 35 years in the credit union movement. Jill shares what kept her at one organization for three decades, how she navigated career barriers as a working mother, and why BCU deliberately chose the word "discover" in its purpose statement: empowering people to discover financial freedom. This conversation is for credit union professionals, bank marketers, women in financial services leadership, and anyone interested in member-owned, not-for-profit banking and community impact.What you'll learn in this episode:Why purpose and people keep leaders in the credit union industry for decadesHow to re-enter a career after stepping away to raise a familyWhy "work-life balance" is better understood as "life integration"How marketers should look outside banking to attract new membersWhy financial freedom is something you discover, not achieveHow BCU measures community impact across SEG partners, associations, and the broader communityWhy affordability and financial health affect every demographic — not just the underservedCareer advice on giving yourself grace and leaning on othersChapters / Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome and introduction to Jill Sammons01:18 – What keeps a leader in credit unions for 35 years02:48 – Navigating barriers as a woman and working mother05:10 – Work-life integration vs. work-life balance06:02 – Marketing lessons from outside the banking industry07:41 – BCU's purpose: "discover financial freedom" explained10:19 – Measuring community impact across multiple segments11:26 – Dispelling the myth that credit unions only serve the underserved12:14 – Rapid fire: coffee or tea, early bird or night owl13:34 – Book recommendations: Amp It Up and Hug Your Haters14:25 – What's next on Jill's bucket list15:07 – One piece of advice to her younger selfBooks mentioned: Amp It Up by Frank Slootman, Hug Your Haters by Jay BaerAbout BCU: BCU (Baxter Credit Union) is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative focused on partnerships with company partners and associations, with a growing community presence and the purpose of helping people discover financial freedom.🎧 Subscribe for more conversations with women leaders shaping community banking and credit unions.#CreditUnions #WomenInLeadership #CommunityBanking #FinancialFreedom #BCU #WomenOfCommunityBanking #FinancialServices #CreditUnionMovement