The Future of Credit Unions: Jimese Harkley on "Purposeful Growth

Welcome to an incredibly inspiring episode of the Women of Community Banking podcast! Host Anurag Mukherjee sits down with Jimese Harkley, Chief Community Engagement Officer at Harborstone Credit Union, for a deeply insightful conversation about her remarkable two-decade journey through the credit union movement and her vision for community impact.About This EpisodeIn this candid and passionate conversation, Jimese shares how she went from being a teller to occupying a C-suite position, all while maintaining an unwavering commitment to the cooperative principles that make credit unions special. Her story is one of ambition, emotional intelligence, and a deep-seated belief that financial services should serve everyone—regardless of credit score or background.Key Quote: "Purposeful growth through M&A is going to be the norm. It's all about keeping the membership in credit unions and not letting a credit union sunset without being able to serve those people."Why This Episode MattersThis conversation is essential listening for:Credit union professionals looking to understand community impact strategyWomen in financial services seeking inspiration and career guidanceCommunity development practitioners interested in the intersection of finance and social impactCredit union boards and executives considering their M&A and growth strategiesAnyone passionate about financial inclusion and cooperative principlesAbout Jimese HarkleyJimese Harkley brings over 20 years of dedicated service to the credit union movement. Her career trajectory—from teller to Chief Community Engagement Officer—exemplifies the opportunities within credit unions for those who are passionate, curious, and committed to serving their communities.Career Highlights:Chief Community Engagement Officer, Harborstone Credit Union (current)VP of Membership, CUES (6 years, achieving 3x membership growth)Leadership roles at Filene Research InstitutePhilanthropy and Community Relations Manager, America's First Federal Credit UnionVarious roles in teller operations, new accounts, lending, and marketingPhilosophy: Jimese sees herself as the members' internal advocate, ensuring no person is left behind based on credit score, and if the credit union can't help, she maintains resources to connect members with those who can.About Harborstone Credit UnionHarborstone Credit Union serves communities throughout Washington State with a strong commitment to community development and financial inclusion. As a CDFI-certified institution, Harborstone has access to grants that allow deeper lending and broader community impact. Under the leadership of President and CEO Jeff Bullock, Harborstone has prioritized community engagement and strategic growth, including recent bank acquisitions in underserved communities.Notable Statistics:Average member age: 44 (significantly younger than industry average of 50+)CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) certifiedRecent acquisitions in Bellingham and Oak Harbor, WashingtonStrong focus on small business lending and financial inclusionEpisode Highlights & Timestamps00:01 - Welcome and introduction00:37 - Jimese's journey from teller to C-suite06:23 - Defining community engagement vs. community development09:40 - The Community First program success story13:00 - Serving diverse and younger generations15:53 - The power of partnerships and "co-opetition"19:29 - Overcoming challenges as a woman leader22:17 - The future of credit unions and purposeful growth