CU Strategic Planning Completes Search for Afena Federal Credit Union
Afena Federal Credit Union has named Misty Harrison as its next CEO following an executive search led by our Chief Experience Officer Mike Beall, CUDE.
Harrison will begin her new role November 9, succeeding longtime CEO Karen Madry, who is retiring after a distinguished career and was recently inducted into the Indiana Credit Union Hall of Fame.
The $97.6 million credit union, headquartered in Marion, Indiana, is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) serving a five-county community. As Afena prepared for its next chapter, the board sought a leader who could build on its community development mission while strengthening the institution's financial performance and positioning it for sustainable growth.
“We are excited to welcome Misty Harrison to Afena,” said Mark Souers, chair of Afena's Board of Directors. “We believe Harrison brings the leadership, experience, and vision necessary to guide the credit union into its next chapter.”
Harrison brings more than 25 years of credit union experience to the position. An Indiana native, she began her career as a teller at Community Link Federal Credit Union in Huntington in 1999, advancing to CEO in 2009. She has led the now-$36 million institution ever since.
Finding the right leader for a mission-driven credit union
Our Executive Search approach begins with understanding a credit union's particular circumstances and the board's vision for its future. Mike draws on decades of industry experience and deep knowledge of community development finance to identify candidates whose experience and leadership style align with those priorities.
“Credit unions and their leaders sometimes decide late in the year to begin a leadership transition and executive search. It's human nature,” Beall said. “But with my extensive credit union contacts and the combined resources of CUSP and Callahan, we can bring highly qualified candidates to the table efficiently and effectively. For Afena, the process took just over three months from start to finish.”
Harrison expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to build on Afena's strengths and work with its board, staff and members to advance its mission.
“I am honored to join Afena and look forward to working with the Board, staff, and members to build on the organization's strengths,” Harrison said.
Her appointment marks a new chapter for a credit union with deep roots in its Indiana community and a continuing commitment to expanding financial opportunity for its members.
