Amy Nelson’s introduction to credit unions was old school—she answered a newspaper ad. Her career, on the other hand, is characterized by innovation.

She started as an executive assistant and evolved through human resources and leadership roles to become president/CEO at $103 million asset Point West Credit Union in Portland, Ore., where she’s taking fresh approaches to serving the unbanked.

“Though I fell into the industry by accident, I stayed by design,” Nelson says.

She has seen her share of challenges along the way. During the Great Recession, Point West’s capital level plummeted to 3.68%, pushing the credit union to the brink of closure.

In one of the first orders of business for Nelson as a newer executive team member, she worked to create an NCUA-required net-worth restoration plan. While many thought the credit union would fail, Nelson and co-CEO Nick Hodson restored Point West’s financial health through frugality, innovation, and collaboration with business partners.

 

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