April Clobes, president and CEO of Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) and role model for aspiring professional women, was recognized with the 2017 Athena Leadership Award by the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Clobes, a member of the Broad College Alumni Advisory Board, inspires professional women around the world through her leadership and innovation.
The International Athena Leadership award is rewarded to an individual who is recognized for attaining professional excellence, community service and mentoring aspiring professional women.
A Broad College of Business alumnae, Clobes has overseen MSUFCU since 2015. Under her leadership, the federal bank has grown to become one of the largest university-based credit unions in the country with, 248,000 members worldwide and 810 employees.
“I was surprised and very humbled by the recognition from the community,” states Clobes.
Implementing innovative ideas to stay connected with her employees, Clobes personally meets with MSUFCU staff, sends hand-written letters, and interacts with staff on a Q&A blog.
“If I have an opportunity to work on any new project, I try to pull together the people who will be excited to work on it and assign the parts of the project to people who can do them best,” states Clobes.
Clobes will be serving as the 2018 Chair on the Board of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, as well as a member of the Executive Committee of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership and Chair of the Wharton Center Advisory Board.
“It is important to demonstrate leadership both in my organization and in the community,” states Clobes.
Speaking to classes and student groups, Clobes has served as a mentor for MSU students. Clobes also mentors young women who are excelling in senior management roles at MSUFCU.
“Women in general need more guidance at getting comfortable promoting themselves,” states Clobes.
