Kim Sponem

Kim Sponem is CEO/President of one of Wisconsin’s largest credit unions, Summit Credit Union. Under her leadership since 2002 (then CUNA Credit Union) it has grown from $200 million to $3.6 billion in assets; its branch network has expanded from four locations to 40 across South Central and South Eastern Wisconsin, including four in Madison high schools. At the time of becoming CEO seventeen years ago, Kim Sponem was named one of the youngest in the country to run a large credit union.

Kim is a 2018 recipient of the Wisconsin Idea Alumni Award from University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Human Ecology studies. The Wisconsin Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (WAFCS) recently awarded Sponem with the Friend of the Family Award for demonstrating outstanding service in advancing public policy and advocacy to support families in Wisconsin. Madison Magazine awarded Kim the Brian Howell Excellence in Innovation Award at their Best in Business annual event in honor of her leadership in innovative financial education. In Business Magazine named her one of Madison’s 25 Most Influential People. Other leadership awards include the Edgewood College Alumni Award for Ethical Leadership and Outstanding Community Service and the Cooperative Builder Award from the Cooperative Network.

Under Sponem’s leadership, Summit has become a leader in financial education, the number one mortgage lender in Dane and Columbia Counties and the number one Small Business Administration loan provider by number of loans amongst credit unions in Wisconsin. Also under her leadership, Summit has won dozens of awards recognizing its work in the Community including, more recently: Three Governor’s Financial Literacy Awards, the Philanthropy Award for Outstanding Business, the Continuous Support and Commitment Award from the Latino Chamber of Commerce, a certificate of engagement for Sustainability as an MPower Business Champion, and multiple United Way awards.