YP Spotlights for July

The Leaguer regularly features Young Professional Spotlights to help you get to know these up-and-comers. This month, meet Amanda Carrell, Anna Hobbs, and Kristen Placette.

Amanda Carrell, Frontier Community Credit Union

Amanda Carrell began her credit union career by chance. Initially certified in phlebotomy, she took a teller position at Frontier Community Credit Union simply to facilitate a move to Leavenworth. Six years later, she’s flourishing as an account resolution specialist, assisting members during challenging financial times.

Reflecting on her start, Carrell shared, “Getting into the credit union world was the best thing that could happen, and I have loved moving up the ladder to where I am now.” She particularly appreciates the member-focused approach of credit unions, saying, “I feel like…we focus more on members and helping them than making profits.”

Proudly from a town of just 1,000 people—with only 15 in her graduating class—Carrell believes her small-town background offers her a unique advantage, noting, “I like to think that I am more understanding and open to ideas and perspectives.”

Outside work, she enjoys watching Cardinals baseball, calling Busch Stadium her “happy place.” Professionally, she takes pride in her journey, moving from teller to senior teller, lead teller, and now into collections, a role she’s held for more than two years. Overcoming personal anxiety has taught her resilience. “I learned that I am not my anxiety, I can do things that I never thought were possible,” Carrell explained.

Her advice to other young professionals is encouraging: “Your time will come. Things might seem bad, but you will get through it, and there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

Anna Hobbs, Frontier Community Credit Union

Anna Hobbs recognized early that becoming a teller could open doors to a promising career. When Frontier Community Credit Union began hiring tellers in 2020, she eagerly joined the credit union, excited “to start my adventures in the CU world.” Five years later, she is thriving as a card services specialist.

Among her proudest accomplishments is developing innovative operational resources, recalling “I created and compiled ‘how-to’ documents based on my knowledge of basic teller-line and branch operations to assist my team…”

Hobbs overcame the challenge of stepping into a completely unfamiliar role by embracing continuous learning. “It taught me to become more comfortable with not knowing and asking for help from my team,” she shared.

As both a member and an employee of the credit union, Hobbs strives to blend these dual perspectives, aiming for outcomes that please everyone involved. Her goals are straightforward: “Continuing to expand my knowledge of CU operations, sharpening the old information, and sponging up the new, putting myself in a more comfortable and trusted position within my organization.”

Outside work, she finds joy in playing piano, painting, listening to full albums, and reading captivating book series.

Kristen Placette, Sabine Federal Credit Union

Kristen Placette’s career path wasn’t conventional. Initially majoring in engineering, she quickly shifted to marketing, never envisioning herself as CFO at Sabine Federal Credit Union. Now, after 22 years in the credit union industry, she reflects warmly: “I love the movement. I love everything we stand for. ‘People Helping People’… I love being able to help people, and this industry is where I get to do that on a daily basis.”

Placette humorously notes her unusual background for her current role, saying, “Not many CFOs come from a marketing background.” She’s most proud of graduating with honors from SCMS, receiving the Award of Excellence—a significant personal victory. “I really studied hard and put 200% into graduating at the top of my class,” she explained.

Her early career was marked by challenges, including unrealistic expectations from college about job opportunities. Rejecting an initial entry-level marketing job was a tough lesson. Eventually, she chose an internship to gain needed experience, calling it “the best decision I ever made.” This step ultimately led her back to Sabine FCU, where she ascended to vice president of marketing and later CFO.

Active in numerous community initiatives like the Orange Rotary Club and United Way, Placette believes strongly in collaboration among local credit unions: “I hope that I can bring our local credit unions back to a community of collaboration. I believe we can be competitive while also sharing thoughts, ideas, and wins.”

Her guidance for young professionals is rooted in balance. “Say yes,” said Placette, “but also learn when to say no. Burnout is a real thing. Find a good work/life balance.”

These young professionals are making a difference in their credit unions and communities. Stay tuned for more YP Spotlights next month!