Kohlman Receives Hall of Fame Honor

​Retiring CEO of Aspire CU in Minot was recognized at the Summit Awards Banquet with the Association’s highest achievement award.
 

Mindee Kohlman, retiring president/CEO of Aspire CU, was inducted into the Dakota Credit Union Association Hall of Fame during the elegant Summit Awards Banquet that was held on Wednesday, May 10 at the Delta Hotel in Fargo. The Hall of Fame honor is a lifetime achievement recognition, and the most prestigious of all DakCU awards. 

As a 16-year-old high school junior in 1983, a young Mindee Kohlman joined the DECA Program to learn more about how to run a business. When a teacher set up interviews for some of the students, Mindee was placed as a part-time teller at a credit union in Minot, filling in over lunch hours and after school. Once she was promoted to the accounting department, a credit union career was born.

For the past 40 years, Mindee’s vocation has been in the credit union world; 35 of those years at Aspire Credit Union, formerly known as Prairie Federal. Since 2016, she has been leading the credit union as CEO, earning the promotion for being a crucial part of the credit union’s growth and success.  

When she first started at Aspire, the credit union had just 6 full-time employees, about 2,600 members and $6 million in assets. Today, they have grown to over $165 million with more than 20 employees and nearly 6,500 members.

If you ask Mindee what she loves most about the industry, she will tell you it’s what credit unions represent: helping people. Whether it is a member, or another credit union in need, Mindee is ready to step in, step up, and provide assistance. Working in multiple areas of the credit union has allowed her to give back on a variety of levels, whether it is accounting assistance, small loans, or even physical space for another area credit union to set up shop during a natural disaster.

Mindee is modest and credits her parents with giving her a strong work ethic and emphasizing the importance of helping others. Her volunteer spirit has been evident in her numerous activities, including as a representative for the Family Involvement Team; serving on the NYIB; as chairman and representative for the Special Olympics Golf Committee; as a volunteer for the Moose Lodge; years on the board of Midwest Corporate FCU; board member for a local electric cooperative; and many other committees for community and youth activities, too numerous to list.

Mindee Kohlman is a true servant leader – a natural leader who supports her credit union team, the league, and the greater credit union industry. Leading by example, she not only talks the talk, she walks the walk – by picking up a broom if it’s needed, delivering Meals on Wheels, presenting Junior Achievement at local schools, or putting time in at the local animal shelter, all while managing a successful credit union.
Consistently going above and beyond, Mindee is not a “yes” person, but she tries to find ways to SAY yes. A rare combination of professionalism and care, she had led with grace and dignity, and demonstrates to her team (and anyone watching) how to succeed not just in the credit union industry – but in life.

Congratulations Mindee!