Susan Franklin may seem a mild-mannered credit union professional by day, but at night (particularly during October), this Credit Union Hero can turn herself, and others, into fearsome monsters brought back from the grave.

But we’ll get to that part later.

Like so many others in the credit union business, Franklin came into the job from a totally different background. At one point, she told Banker & Tradesman, she sold magnets for scrap yards.

“Transitioning over to banking was very different for me. I found it very challenging and I like a challenge,” she said. “I’ve really learned a lot more about the credit union industry by being in it. I knew nothing about banking or any of those things.”

Gordon Wetmore, senior vice president of marketing, said Franklin joined the credit union in 2009 as a graphic designer, but her lack of financial services background was no impediment.

“I think it’s almost an advantage when someone comes into a financial institution that they haven’t been working for another credit union or bank,” he said. “They come in with fresh ideas, they come in with a perspective from a member’s point of view versus somebody who’s been in the business for a long time.”

In the six years since she joined the credit union, Franklin has taken up the challenge of managing its online channels, from social media to a website redesign to community outreach efforts, like the credit union’s small business spotlights and its “Foodie Fridays.”

“I can honestly say there’s never been a challenge that she can’t meet,” Wetmore said. “She understands what goes on behind the scenes. If she doesn’t know something, she takes it upon herself to learn it. When she’s not managing Workers’ Credit Union’s online channels, Franklin has lent her time, energy and expertise to all manner of community initiatives. For years, she volunteered for “The Haunting of Barrett Park” in Leominster, as both a monster and a makeup artist, and she recently took on a similar job at the Factory of Terror in Worcester. (Banker & Tradesman can attest to her skill, as she sent along a photo of some of her work.)

Franklin must have an endless supply of energy, because she’s also going back to school, earning her bachelor’s degree in marketing, with an emphasis on social and digital media, from Southern New Hampshire University.

While Franklin wasn’t sure she would call herself a “hero,” she’s grateful to the credit union for helping her do what she does best.

“I couldn’t do what I do without the support of Workers’ Credit Union,” Franklin said. “They really give all their employees the opportunity to get out into the community and help other people.”

Susan Franklin

by Laura Alix time to read: 2 min
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