Becky Hynes explained that she is part of the central mortgage lending team at Marine Credit Union (MCU). “Basically,” she said, “I change people’s lives every single day. I help people get on the road to financial freedom.”
Becky said that depending on what the members’ financial goals are, she is able to structure what she can do for them. “Cancer, divorce, whatever things happen … I look for ways to help them. It’s very rewarding.”
Becky is certainly passionate about helping members and is also passionate about riding. “I was on a horse before I could even walk,” Becky shared. “It’s my passion. It’s my life to ride.”
Becky has served as the superintendent for the Trempealeau County 4-H horse project. From March until July, Becky shared she spends anywhere from 10 to 60 hours of volunteer time. “It’s very rewarding.”
“As a child,” Becky continued, “4-H was just as rewarding, and it was an escape for me. There was turmoil at home, so it was a place I could go.” She shared that her stepdad would get mean with her mom when he drank. “I’m not the only one who has been in those situations,” Becky said. “I could go to 4-H and relax and be myself.”
“Don’t say anything,” Becky said was common for that kind of turmoil. She said there was a “secretiveness” surrounding it. “People say, ‘Why don’t they leave.’” But she added that people don’t go into relationships planning for it to end. “They go into it for the ‘happily ever after.’
Her childhood experiences grew an empathetic nature in Becky. She said she has always wanted to help others. “We are all put on this earth for a reason. You have a reason to make a difference and you need to make a difference,” Becky shared.
Becky grew up on a farm and was always empathetic to animals, too. She served 10 years as the county humane office and everything from assistant shelter manager to shelter manager to executive director at the age of 28 – while working on a million-dollar capital campaign for a new shelter. She later worked in advertising and had been in sales (starting with selling newspapers in the sixth grade) prior to making her way to MCU. “I’ll be here until I retire,” she said.
“I always had an urge to help people,” Becky continued. “I love what I do. I love the people I work with, my team and my direct boss. Someone makes me laugh every single day. I never worked for an employer that treats their employees as good as MCU does.”
“It’s a feel-good thing,” Becky added. “I don’t think anyone can say we don’t like someone on our team. We really do like each other and care about each other.”
Becky shared personal stories of her own, of the kids in 4-H, and of MCU members. She said life isn’t always easy. “I’ve been there. It’s not easy. But I can help educate them to do better by sharing my own stories. You gotta put yourself out on that limb,” she added, “because we are all human.”
Becky also shared she was recently certified as a Credit Union Financial Counselor just before her Heart of MCU interview. “At MCU, there are always opportunities to grow and improve ourselves so that we can help members,” she shared with a beautiful smile.
