I grew up in a multigenerational household in a low-income neighborhood in Albuquerque, New Mexico. My grandmother immigrated from Mexico at age 16, became a U.S. citizen at 31, and never advanced beyond an eighth-grade education. Yet she possessed a remarkable wisdom about perseverance, gratitude, and making the most of every opportunity. Sustainability wasn’t a trend in our household; it was a necessity. We conserved water, turned off lights, repaired what we could, and passed clothes down through the family. Those lessons taught me that resources should be valued, communities should support one another, and the right opportunities can change lives.
As the granddaughter of an immigrant who became a citizen through determination and sacrifice, I have always believed that financial institutions should expand opportunity, not create barriers to it. Those experiences shaped my leadership style and how I view traditional banking practices. Too often, financial institutions prioritize fee income and short-term profits over long-term relationships and community impact. I have always believed finance can be both ethical and financially successful.
My career in New Mexico credit unions reinforced that belief. As a Latina CEO in an industry where Hispanic women remain significantly underrepresented in executive leadership, I recognize how much our lived experiences shape how we lead. Throughout my career, I saw firsthand how deeply personal finances can be, particularly in Hispanic communities where people often carry a strong sense of responsibility to their families and may hesitate to seek assistance.
What attracted me to the credit union movement was the chance to build something different. At Clean Energy Credit Union, a Certified B Corporation, we believe financial institutions should help people build stability rather than profit from financial hardship. As a B Corp, we are committed to balancing financial performance with accountability to our members, employees, communities, and the environment.
That philosophy is reflected not only in what we finance but in how we operate. We have successfully built our business without relying on NSF and overdraft fees that often fall hardest on people who can least afford them. Instead of generating revenue from financial mistakes, we focus on helping members build healthy financial habits and long-term financial stability. We apply that same people-first approach internally by providing fully employer-paid health, dental, and vision coverage. We believe treating both members and employees with dignity creates stronger relationships, better service, and a more sustainable institution.
That same mission-driven approach extends to the products we offer and the impact we seek to create through clean energy finance.
Clean Energy CU offers specialized financing for solar installations, geothermal systems, EVs, and green home upgrades. Unlike traditional banks, our lending products are specifically designed around the economics of clean energy adoption. We understand incentives, energy savings, contractor relationships, and the long-term financial benefits these projects create. Our goal is to make clean energy affordable, accessible, and financially beneficial for more families.
