At ICBB, we’ve dubbed March Women in Banking month. To celebrate, we’re sharing the stories of some of the women who lead at ICBB. This week, we’re profiling the women in our credit and lending departments: Credit Analyst Megan Chaney, and Loan Operations Specialist Sarahi Chavez Thomas.
Megan Chaney
Credit Analyst
How did you begin your banking career?
I developed an interest in banking early on while taking banking and finance classes in high school, which led me to pursue additional courses at Eastern Kentucky University. After earning my bachelor’s degree in finance with a minor in Banking and Financial Services, I began my career as a teller. Shortly thereafter, I joined ICBB as a Junior Credit Analyst and later advanced to the role of Credit Analyst.
What were some pivotal moments in your career that shaped your leadership path?
Any time my mentors entrusted me with leading a task or training others, it contributed significantly to my leadership development. Additionally, when several team members left ICBB due to unforeseen circumstances, it created an opportunity for me to step up, take on greater responsibility, and grow professionally.
Who were the mentors or influences that helped shape your career?
I have been fortunate to have many mentors throughout my career, and I am grateful for the guidance each has provided. Several EKU professors played a key role in pushing me academically and professionally by offering real‑world insights and valuable networking opportunities. Several ICBB team members have also been influential, offering support, additional educational opportunities, and ongoing encouragement.
What is something about your career journey that might surprise people?
Many people may be surprised to learn that I knew from an early stage that I wanted to pursue a career in banking, even though that’s not the case for most people entering the field.
What unique strengths do women bring to leadership in community banks?
Women in banking bring a unique ability to understand and connect with both female colleagues and women customers, strengthening relationships across the communities they serve.
What skills do you think are most important for emerging leaders in community banks?
Skills I feel are important for emerging leaders are building relationships, adapting to technology changes, mentoring staff, and communication.
What advice would you give to young women who want to have successful careers in community banking?
I highly recommend enrolling in EKU’s Evans Banking and Financial Services courses. As an alumna, I found these courses instrumental in preparing me for a successful start in community banking.
Sarahi Thomas
Loan Operations Specialist
How did you begin your banking career?
I began my banking career at a local credit union. At the time, I was working as a pharmacy technician, but I was looking for a career path that would allow me to build on my skills and grow professionally
What were some pivotal moments in your career that shaped your leadership path?
A pivotal moment in my career that taught me leadership is more than a title that came when I became the company’s only translator. What began as helping a single customer understand their loan process quickly evolved into supporting nearly every area of the financial institution. This experience allowed me to collaborate with multiple departments, broaden my knowledge, and recognize the value of stepping up to support both customers and colleagues and go beyond my job title.
Who were the mentors or influences that helped shape your career?
I immigrated from Mexico with my family when I was just two years old, and that journey has shaped who I am in the deepest way. Every opportunity I’ve had since then felt like a gift one I never took for granted. Throughout my career, nearly 90% of my leaders have been women, and I’ve learned something meaningful from each one of them. Their strength, compassion, and resilience have mirrored the very qualities I admire most in my own mother. My parents, especially my mother, sacrificed so much to give me a better life, and everything I do is rooted in the desire to honor their courage, their resilience, and the dreams they carried for our family. Making them proud will always be my greatest motivation.
What is something about your career journey that might surprise people?
Something that often surprises people is that I recently stepped away from banking and made a complete career shift into the beauty industry as a professional makeup artist and lash artist. I loved the creativity and connection it offered, but it also helped me realize that my true passion has always been banking. Now, I treat beauty work as a side business, allowing me to continue expressing my artistic side while pursuing the career that fulfills me most.
What unique strengths do women bring to leadership in community banks?
Women bring a powerful blend of empathy, resilience, and emotional intelligence to the banking industry. Their leadership transforms what was once a space defined by cold transactions into one grounded in meaningful connections. They help make banking feel less like a rigid machine and more like a supportive partnership
What skills do you think are most important for emerging leaders in community banks?
Adaptability, empathy, and initiative are essential skills in the banking industry. As technology continues to evolve rapidly, the ability to adapt while still preserving the human touch is critical, especially in community banking, where relationships are at the heart of everything we do. Creating an inclusive and positive workplace culture, while consistently delivering high quality results, is key to building a strong, successful team
What advice would you give to young women who want to have successful careers in community banking?
Stay true to yourself and focus on your own journey. Don’t get discouraged if your path looks different from the person next to you, every story unfolds at its own pace. Prioritize the quality and integrity of your work, and the right opportunities will follow. And above all, don’t be afraid to fail or to step outside your comfort zone; that’s where the most meaningful growth happens.