Meagan Barrett never planned on being a CEO.

Armed with a degree in community health, she heard the same line over and over in her post-graduation job search: “You were our second choice, but we went with someone who had more experience.”

Looking for financial stability, she took a full-time teller job at the bank inside the grocery store where she’d worked since college. It wasn’t part of the plan, but it turned into a kismet pivot.

Community as Her Compass

From teller to small business lender, Meagan rose quickly, discovering a passion for connecting with the community. “I loved being a small business lender because I got to be out in the community. Business owners are so passionate when sharing what they do and love.”

Her commitment went beyond the job. She showed up for many events and volunteer opportunities, earning the bank’s community involvement award. Passion, it turned out, was one of her strongest professional assets.

Her career accelerated when she joined the conversion team, helping integrate newly acquired banks into branches of a top 10 national financial institution. It sharpened her operational know-how, and opened a door of opportunity for the future.

A Chance Encounter

In 2014, she and her husband moved from Maine to Colorado. Expecting their first child, Meagan decided to try life as a stay-at-home mom. But staying home felt unfamiliar. “I had always been career-oriented,” she said. She dusted off her resume and started looking for what was next.

Then came a twist: during a visit to her credit union, baby in one arm and documents in the other, she struck up a conversation with a teller who noticed her old bank’s logo. “Did you work at a bank? Are you looking for a job?” the teller asked.

A swift walk to the back office later, Meagan found herself face-to-face with the credit union’s CEO. She hadn’t planned to pitch herself that day, but had a resume on hand. Six weeks later, she started as vice president of operations at Northern Colorado Credit Union.

Gaining Ops Chops

As VP of operations, Meagan dove into leading teams, refining processes, negotiating vendor contracts, and even expanding the credit union’s field of membership.
She also began a multi-year leadership development journey, including all three years of Western Credit Union Management School.

Still, she hadn’t aimed for the top job. The retiring CEO had a finance background; Meagan came up through operations. So when the board interviewed her, she didn’t pretend to be someone she wasn’t.

“If you’re looking for another CFO who is extremely strong in accounting, I am not that. I’m here for the membership, the credit union, and the team.” Her honesty, paired with her track record and mission-driven leadership, made her the right fit to fill the CEO role. And she gladly accepted.

Stepping Into CEO

Now three years in, Meagan leads with authenticity and inclusion. Everyone—from frontline staff to executives—has a voice in strategic planning. “Instead of thinking up the grand plan, I really involve them in that decision-making.”

She also leans heavily on her all-women executive team, including the CFO with 15 years at the credit union and the VP of Lending with a decade of tenure. Together, they operate as what Meagan calls a “three-legged stool”—balancing each other out, looping one another in across departments, and sharing wisdom regardless of whose “area” it might be.

Even if one executive isn’t the lead on a project, they recognize the value of each other’s perspectives. “We don’t like to silo things here,” Meagan says. “Even if the VP of Lending is not in charge of the card negotiations, she’s done that before and brings great experience. We all include each other.” Their collaborative dynamic has been instrumental in executing Meagan’s long-term vision.

2025 has been a defining year—the first where Meagan’s new vision is fully taking root. The credit union launched business accounts, started accepting ITINs, and embraced bold, community-centered strategies that reflect her inclusive leadership. One standout? A thriving, creative TikTok presence that showcases the team’s personality, humor, and commitment to connection. It’s not just social media; it’s a new avenue for storytelling and trust-building that reaches members where they are, in ways they actually engage.

Full-Circle Community Impact

Reflecting on her role, Meagan says credit unions allow her to “make a large impact in the community and still pay my bills.”

Meagan’s work today echoes the purpose that first drew her to community health. The credit union’s “90 Acts of Kindness” campaign—launched in celebration of its 90th anniversary—isn’t just feel-good PR; it’s a tangible extension of a member-first strategy rooted in visibility, generosity, and relevance. From chalk messages in local parks to pay-it-forward coffee runs and surprise giveaways, Meagan and her team are proving that kindness doesn’t require a big budget, just big-hearted intention and a community focus.

Finding Her People

Joining CUWLA gave Meagan something she didn’t know she needed: a circle of women who understood her journey. “It empowers female leaders. They want you to succeed just as much as they are succeeding.”

As someone whose path wasn’t traditional—community health, bank teller, mom, ops VP—she knows how vital it is to have a space where no question is too small and every voice matters.

Now, she gives that support back by offering advice, celebrating wins, and connecting with other members at industry events. It’s yet another thread in Meagan’s story that comes full circle: lifting others up and staying rooted in community.

Meagan’s story is proof that there’s no one way to become a CEO, and that every woman deserves a community that helps recognize her potential.

Join CUWLA and find your people.