MEET MORE OF OUR 2026 WOMEN OF DISTINCTION
To see the impact Kim Sponem has had on Summit Credit Union, just look at the numbers. When she became CEO and President of the Wisconsin institution in 2002, Summit had $200 million in assets and 100 employees across four locations. Today, Summit has about $9 billion in assets, nearly 1,000 employees and almost 60 locations.
But the impact of her leadership extends far beyond impressive statistics. “Whether someone is buying a first home, starting or growing a business, or planning for retirement, I want Summit to accelerate their ambition,” she says. “If we can help more families get into homes, more entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life, more young people build financial confidence and more women and families create lasting stability, then we are fulfilling our purpose and strengthening the communities we serve.”
“For me, this work has always been about helping people see what is possible, then walking beside them as they build it.”
Q&A
What advice do you have for women who want to pursue a career like yours?
Women often put enormous pressure on themselves to be the perfect partner, parent, employee and friend. A career like mine requires a grounded mindset: be honest about your own expectations and recognize which pressures are coming from others, from society or from the stories we tell ourselves. Strong support matters, especially from a significant other. Every career involves tradeoffs, and those tradeoffs can feel especially visible at this level of commitment. Instead of feeling guilty about not being everywhere, focus on being fully present for what matters most. Protect the moments that are most important to your family and remember that you do not have to attend everything. You are providing for your family, modeling possibility for your children and influencing many others. When comparison or self-doubt creeps in, pause, reframe it and give yourself credit for what you are building.
What are some of your goals for the future?
My goal is for Summit to make it easier for people to start – and help them finish stronger – whatever their financial need may be. Whether someone is buying a first home, starting or growing a business, building credit, saving for the future or planning for retirement, I want Summit to be the place that helps accelerate their ambition. That means expanding access, removing barriers and helping more people build confidence, security and wealth. I am especially focused on deepening our impact in closing the gender wealth gap so more women can retire financially secure. If we can help more families get into homes, more entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life, more young people build financial confidence and more women and families create lasting stability, then we are fulfilling our purpose as a credit union and strengthening the communities we serve. Ultimately, I want Summit to be known not just for the products we offer, but for the momentum, confidence and opportunity we help create in people’s lives. For me, that is what this work has always been about – helping people see what is possible, then walking beside them as they build it.
