The Power to Use Collaboration to Fuel Change

Tansley Stearns is president and CEO of Community Financial Credit Union.

By Tansley Stearns

It has always been my dream to lead a credit union. As not-for-profit institutions, credit unions were created to improve lives and foster financial stability— especially in communities where traditional banks often fall short. When I returned to my home state of Michigan as president and CEO of Community Financial Credit Union, I was determined to address the economic pain I saw firsthand in my community.

At Community Financial, we walk with our members through every circumstance. That commitment goes beyond financial services. After listening to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, we created a specialized loan program to help individuals facing economic abuse regain control of their finances. When severe ice storms hit, we organized essential goods drives and created emergency response funds to support those affected.

And I knew we could do more. Credit unions have a deep-rooted culture of collaboration, and I saw an opportunity to harness that impact. I reached out to credit union leaders across the country with an idea: what if we came together to share the resources and strategies already driving incredible local impact? That idea became the Backbone Coalition—a national network committed to amplifying what’s working and scaling it for greater reach.

My vision is simple: if every credit union serves as a financial best friend— especially for those facing hardship— then together, we can create lasting, meaningful change in every community we touch.

Today, credit unions across the country are better equipped to support their local communities, whether by preventing banking deserts in rural areas or delivering aid to wildfire victims.

Credit unions are more than financial institutions— they are the backbone of our communities. By standing together, we ensure that no matter where someone lives, there’s a credit union ready to walk with them through every challenge and opportunity.

Tanslet Stearns is president and CEO of , Community Financial Credit Union. https://www.instagram.com/tstearns15/ ; https://www.linkedin.com/in/tansleys/ ; https://tansleystearns.com/professional