In Celebration of International Women’s Day: Get to Know Anexis Sanchez

With so many incredible women contributing to the Jeanne D’Arc team, we’re keeping the International Women’s Day celebration rolling! Throughout the month we will highlight Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Robin Lorenzen, Vice President-Branch Administration, Kate Dame, Vice President-Commercial Lending, Kara Doyle, Vice President Member Contact Center, Anexis Sanchez, Branch Officer, Gaby Regan, Assistant Branch Manager, Runny Huoth, and Operational Risk Specialist, Katherine Rojo as they share with us their professional journey, advice they would give to their younger self, valuable lessons they’ve learn along the way, and more.

Today, we spotlight Anexis Sanchez, Vice President, Member Contact Center.

What was your journey that led you to join Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union?

I had always wanted to work at a bank, so I applied to a number of banks and credit unions in Lowell when my previous employer cut my hours due to a loss in clients. I got my first personal and car loans at Jeanne D’Arc in 2007, so applying at the Credit Union seemed like a no-brainer. Every time I went to the Lowell branch, the tellers were always nice and seemed to love their job.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

It is okay not to know what you want your future to look like. Don’t dive into a career or school just because that’s what is expected; dig deep into what you want to do without the pressure of family, others, or what society says should be your next steps.

What are the most valuable lessons you’ve learned throughout your career?

The most valuable lesson I have learned in my career is that being yourself and not comprising who you are and what your beliefs are will take you further than you think. There will always be times when you question if you belong or you give into that imposter syndrome, but most of the time, that is your internal battle that others are not seeing. You have earned that seat at the table and speaking your mind or opinions makes you valuable.

Have you drawn professional inspiration from other women? Tell us about someone personally or professionally who has inspired you.

Honestly, I would probably say my previous boss, who retired a little over 4 years ago. It wasn’t really how she inspired me professionally but how she helped build up my confidence and encouraged me to go back to school to earn my bachelor’s degree. I never saw myself taking the path within the Credit Union to AVP or a VP, the title I hold now, but she always saw the potential in me. She didn’t see me as a threat to her role, but she allowed me to flourish and grow professionally without pigeonholing me. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be where I am today, and I wouldn’t have the confidence to strive towards my continuous growth within the Credit Union.