Faces of Women in Business

Mel Brenneke, AVP/Branch Manager, ProFed Credit Union
May 15, 2025
BFA Commercial Photography
Faces of Women in Business

Q1 What inspired you to enter your field?
My journey into this field started with what seemed like a random phone call from a friend. She connected me with someone looking to fill a teller position, and just a couple of weeks later I found myself starting a job that would ultimately change the course of my life. At the time, I was completing my degree in elementary education and went on to teach for several years. Even then, I continued working at the credit union during holidays and summer breaks — it always felt like home. Ultimately, I made the decision to return to the credit union world full-time, and I haven’t regretted it for a second.

Q2 How do you maintain balance between work and personal life?
Balancing work and personal life is something I constantly strive for, and I believe many women can relate. I love my job (most days!), but I also want to be fully present as I raise my children. I’m incredibly grateful for my supportive husband and family — without them, I’d feel like a sinking ship. Whether it’s helping shuttle the kids to activities until I can get there or simply listening as I share about my day, their support makes all the difference. Keeping perspective is also key in this balancing act. A little grace goes a long way.

Q3 What has been the most pivotal moment in your career so far?
One of the most pivotal moments in my career was beginning to work with ProFed. I don’t always seek out change on my own and, in this case, God had to nudge me. When the small credit union I worked for merged, it pushed me to take a new step. ProFed has truly helped me grow. While the core goal of serving our members remains the same, I now have the opportunity to do so on a larger scale, finding new ways to make an even greater impact.

Q4 What do you enjoy most about your employer?
One of the things I truly appreciate about ProFed is the strong sense of teamwork. There’s no “us vs. them” mentality between departments. Everyone collaborates with a shared goal of providing the best possible service to our members. 


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