What would you tell your teenage self if you could go back in time?

Charge hard. Be all you. Continue listening to your heart and following it shamelessly, especially if it scares you. Explore everywhere. Feed your soul. Fuel your love for learning always. Love and connect with all people. Everything will be okay, Monica. You’ll make it at least another decade or two, so charge as hard as you want to.

Did you choose your profession or did it choose you?

This profession snuck in from left field and scooped me up like a tornado. She evidently wanted me; it took a hot minute for me to discover how deeply I wanted her too. We’re a match made in heaven. I love Financial Cooperatives all across the world and back. I feel humbled and honored to have landed, planted and sprouted here.

What chance encounter changed your life forever?

Due to vivacious globe-trotting, I’ve had a lot of ‘chance encounters’ that have impacted who I am today. I’ve learned among conversations across multiple cultures and languages to never bring up politics, but I once had the opportunity to share a message with Colin Powell. I told him how good of a job I thought he was doing and that we loved him—during one of the more challenging times of his career and life. It was authenticity at its finest. I didn’t intend to run into him; yet, that was the first thing that came out of my mouth, and it came directly from my heart. I have no idea if he recalls that encounter to this day, but I will never forget it. We all have the power to build other people up, regardless of their successes, failures, or stature—or lack thereof. The more we practice it, the more beautiful we all become.

What do you do for self-care?

I love adventuring in the great outdoors—be it strolling through foreign cities, backcountry snowboarding deep inside mountain ranges, or scaling rock walls with chalky hands. It’s my soul food, especially when I get to do it with my children.

What have you created that you are most proud of?

That’s easy; Loveday, Malakai, Josie. (My three beauties)

Second place: My kids and I are building a tree fort in our banyan tree. We’re crossing our fingers it surmounts all other creations thus far.

When was the last time you cried?

Last weekend on a rooftop with great company, I was laughing so hard my abdomen cramped up—tears were shed.

What are some professional goals you are working on now?

1. Being the best CEO I can be;

2. charging through this Stanford Graduate School of Business Leadership Program;

3. soaking up the ideas of my mentors and coaches while being a good mentor to others;

4. serving on state, national and global Board of Directors to help our industry thrive amidst a rapidly changing landscape;

5. hosting and attending global field engagements for the World Council of Credit Unions and Researching PhD Programs.