SARA DeLance
Company: Heritage Family Credit Union
Title: SVP Retail
Age: 37
Favorite Part of Job: I love working at a credit union because it allows me the opportunity to help people meet their financial goals. I also really enjoy coaching and leadership development as well as project management. Both encourage me to empower others and use 
innovation towards building a strong workplace.
What three words best describe you: Ambitious. Dedicated. Supportive.
Favorite Vermont Escape: My favorite place in Vermont to relax and unwind is on Lake Bomoseen with my family. I love listening to my kids swim and play and I love taking slow cruises with my husband around the lake’s edge to check out the gorgeous properties while listening to our favorite tunes.
What is the best career advice you have received: One of the best pieces of advice I’ve been given is to learn as much as I can about the people I meet - to understand them for who they are, what interests them, and what’s important to them. I was told if I could do that, then I would open the door for endless opportunities.
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont: Besides Vermont being absolutely gorgeous, it is also a very safe and wholesome place to raise a family. The communities that I live and work in are always demonstrating how much they care about each other and about the success of our families through their comradery and collaboration.
Career Highlights: It was pivotal for my career to have met my mentors and to have developed such supportive relationships in my community and throughout the credit union industry. With the guidance of all these people, I continue to realize my potential and develop unrecognized strengths. I am proud to have been chosen as a Heritage Family Credit Union employee of the year, to have been chosen as a speaker at multiple national conferences, to have represented the March of Dimes as an executive leader in the Rutland region, to have created an award and a national conference for credit union young professionals, and to have founded a credit union young professional board in Vermont.
Community Involvement:
Rutland County Parent Child Center, Board of Director
Vermont Credit Unions, Financial Reality Fairs volunteer
Vermont Viper Football League, Parent volunteer
Vermont Girl Scouts, Parent volunteer
Credit Union Young Professionals of Vermont, Founder and President/Board Chairperson
Heritage Family Credit Union Young Professionals, Co-Founder and President
Credit Union National Association, Young Professional Board
National Credit Union Young Professional Conference, Co-creator
Credit Union National Association, Co-creator and judge Emerging Leader Award
Credit Union Executive Society, Emerging Leader Advisory Council
