Working in the financial services industry her entire career, Laurie Butz has come to realize that the work Capital Credit Union does can help make dreams come true every day. “The industry is based on the premise of people helping people and forming a cooperative where members/owners can be a part of something bigger,” she said. “We are committed to strengthening communities, not just through dollars but truly being partners, engaging with nonprofits, volunteering, and being a financial resource for literacy, financing, guidance, board participation, and more.”
According to Butz, this drives her to continue to get better as a leader and an individual as the president and chief executive officer of Capital Credit Union. “I believe my life is more fulfilling as a holistic leader who brings unique skills to the table and demonstrates vulnerability and humility while striving to dream big and get the most out of life,” said Butz.
Capital Credit Union has a vision to inspire financial well-being for all through access, care, and collaboration and a mission to do the right thing, one member, one employee, and one experience at a time to strengthen the communities it serves.
In the last three years, under Butz’s guidance, the credit union has been on a transformative journey to adopt a clear vision, mission, values, short- and long-term strategic plan, and annual and long-term balanced score. The firm has NPS from 60 to 68, employee engagement from 75% to 84%, and assets hit a milestone of $2.5 billion in July of 2024. During this period, Butz led the charge to introduce new digital banking functionality, new and expanded products for businesses, new credit cards and Greenlight for families and kids cards, and new partnerships to offer financial literacy and product access with local YMCA’s, high schools, UW-GB, and Goodwill NCW.
As a leader, Butz said her leadership style, approach and purpose have evolved. “I think the greatest lesson that I have learned is that we are stronger, smarter and better together than we are alone,” she said. “We also will go farther with love and kindness than we will ever go with anger, hate, divisiveness and complaining.”
Recognition as a two-time Titan 100 has led to connections but also inspiration for Butz. “As a titan, it provides me with recognition that instills confidence in others to seek me out to help in ways that I might not have otherwise been considered,” she said. “That is a gift that I will cherish and continue to act on in ways that will allow me to leave a legacy that lives on beyond me.”