Can you start by telling us about what you do?
I'm a member of the Executive Management Team and oversee the Human Resource and Marketing Departments for our company, Horizon's North Credit Union.

I've always been curious about credit unions. Why should I choose a credit union over a bank for my financial needs?
Credit unions provide many of the same products and services as larger banks, but with a different sense of purpose, which is based upon you, the member. The credit union philosophy is People helping People, and that's exactly what we do with lower fees, better rates, and a deep sense of motivation in serving the communities in which we are based as a not-for-profit institution. Credit unions were originally formed by groups of people coming together in order to help everyone reach their goals, and that principle still holds true today. Horizons North Credit Union was originally formed in 1960 to serve the needs of the Adams 12 Five Star School District, and since then we have expanded our services to include anyone working or living in the Adams, Denver or Broomfield counties. We are owned by our members, and we take great pride in serving them. We do not answer to stockholders. Each member has an equal vote in selecting the Board of Directors, who work voluntarily on behalf of the credit union and its members. Where you bank does matter, and we work very hard to ensure that our members are aware of that, and take pride in it.

What advice would you give your younger self when she first started out in business?
I would advise myself to take more risk, put myself out there to realize my full potential, and make the hard choices sooner. However as with most women, I think this is something that eventually comes with age and wisdom, at a time in your life that you are better prepared to deal with any fallout. And perhaps this is the beauty of maturity.

What's your superpower?
I am a full-time working mother of four, so in some circles, I am considered to be a magical unicorn :)

How would you like people to remember you?
A confident, knowledgeable woman who is full of life.

What gets you up in the morning?
I know each day that I am getting up, showing up, and being productive I am setting an example to my children. I was once told that 99% of success can be attributed to showing up. I want them to experience success in their futures as well.

What advice would you give to yourself when you were a young working mother?
I would tell myself to take more time to enjoy the small moments that go by so quickly with your children. Hustle hard, but also cut yourself some slack. It was always my intention as a young woman to have it all, both as a successful professional, and a loving mother. There will be times that you have to steal time away from both in order to nurture yourself, and to do so without guilt is true happiness. It will make you both a better parent and leader.

What is your favorite trait about yourself?
I think my favorite trait about myself is my sense of humor. I don't like to take life too seriously, we won't get out alive anyway! I owe my sense of humor to my father. Being witty is an easy way to make quick friends with most people, and if not, then you most likely weren't interested in being friends with them anyway.

Do you have a favorite quote that inspires you?
"She was powerful not because she wasn't scared, but because she went on so strongly, despite the fear" - Atticus

Krista Burnell is the SVP of Organizational Development at Horizons North Credit Union in Westminster, Colorado.