40 UNDER 40: Mianna Chernek

Like many people, Mianna Chernek was shaped by her childhood experiences.

“I grew up with very little and often went without,” she said. “My support system was limited, and many days felt heavy and uncertain."

She said that time in her life taught her respect, humility and gratitude and brought her to a decision point.

“Do you make a choice in spite of your odds or despite your odds?” she said.

Today, Chernek is the SVP Board of Director for the National Small Credit Union Association. But she didn’t set out to be in banking.

In fact, she was working in retail and was scouted by an HR professional to apply for a teller position at a local credit union because of how she treated that person as a customer.

“Credit unions became my home, and I just knew that is where I belonged, because the values were simple and resonated with me,” she said.

The two years Chernek spent in South Korea, where she volunteered her time to teach English and study ESL abroad.

“This gave me a new insight into people, business and life outside of what we call ‘normal,’” she said. “That experience really gave me the ability to look deeper into a person’s life that goes beyond a sale or a business connection. The question really is, ‘How can I help this person today? How can I make a difference?’”

In the coming years, Chernek said she sees herself growing professionally and personally.

On the professional side, she wants to continue to lead the credit union movement on the larger and smaller scale.

“Credit unions hold a special place for many people, be it their first loan or their first debit card or the employer that puts food on their table,” she said. “I would really love the world to experience more of the good that credit unions can provide, big or small.”

Chernek said she’d also like to prioritize her family.

“Success comes with sacrifice and I would like to not sacrifice as much time away from my family,” she said.

Looking back at her younger self, Chernek shared words of wisdom.

“You will be remembered for the things that you say and do, so always do good and be your honest self,” she said. “Everyone truly deserves to be their unique, honest self. And one more thing: You have more fight in you than the world has punches.”