Empowering Teams to Excel

What does it take to become an exceptional leader? For Damita Robinson, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at $2.6 billion Andrews Federal Credit Union, it’s the ability to inspire others and create a collaborative environment where everyone can do their best work. This approach has not only defined her 31-year career at Andrews FCU, but it also has earned her the title of CUES 2024 Exceptional Leader, awarded to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to their credit union.

“I believe in the team approach to leadership,” Robinson said. “I look at what the organization needs. What will it take for us to win? As a leader, you don’t necessarily have to take the shot. If somebody else can make the three-pointer, please pass them the ball.”

While it’s important to espouse teamwork, Robinson also recognizes the importance of leading with accountability. “I believe that as a leader, you should lead from the front, meaning that you’re the one who takes the first impact,” she stressed. “It’s great when things go well, but when something doesn’t go well, it’s adversity that reveals your true character. For the people following you, what do they see in those moments of adversity? Are you the type of leader who blames others, or do you regroup and work with your team to learn from the experience?”

Headquartered in Suitland, Maryland, Andrews FCU serves nearly 140,000 members with branches in the United States and overseas. Robinson’s leadership approach has contributed greatly to the institution’s stature as one of the premier credit unions supporting the nation’s military. “We won the U.S. Department of the Army’s Distinguished Credit Union of the Year Award for three consecutive years,” she reported. “A major reason for this is because we have employees who are extremely passionate about serving the military.”

Board leaders at Andrews FCU are effusive in their praise of Robinson’s contributions to the organization. “Damita is a dynamic leader whose service to the credit union industry for over 30 years is unsurpassed,” said Board Chair Kenneth McKinney. “Her stellar performance is the epitome of a senior executive. She's an invaluable asset and role model for others to emulate. The entire AFCU community and its members are truly the beneficiaries of Damita’s superb dedication and loyalty.”

Vice Chair L. Dail Turner commended Robinson for her vast knowledge and vision for the future. “In my 30 years as a volunteer at Andrews FCU, I cannot remember once when Damita did not have an accurate response to any question,” he observed. “When there was a problem, she always had a reasonable solution. She’s an incredible team player but is not afraid to push the envelope to better serve our members.”

The board was particularly impressed with Robinson’s ability to rise to the occasion when Andrews FCU’s CEO went on extended leave in 2023. During his five-month absence, Robinson served as interim CEO and was instrumental in ensuring that the credit union ended the year in a strong financial position with a “Best in Class” Net Promoter Score and a successful external audit.

Leading a Diverse Team

In her role as EVP/COO, Robinson heads a diverse team of professionals. She is responsible for marketing, community engagement, information technology, overseas operations, administration advocacy, human resources, strategic planning, and training. Of the credit union’s 320 employees, she estimates that approximately one-third fall under her areas of responsibility.

“It’s important that all of these positions serve the needs of the organization,” Robinson noted. “I try to lead from the perspective that’s it’s not about any one individual or department, but it’s about the greater good.”

To serve the greater good, Robinson believes it’s important to hear from people at all levels of the organization. “I am not a fan of ideas coming exclusively from the executive level,” she said. “I want to hear ideas from everyone, regardless of their title.”

Robinson came to Andrews FCU in 1993 as a training manager. Six years later, she transitioned to the HR department where she eventually became senior vice president. She assumed responsibilities that typically don’t fall under the HR umbrella, such as fraud and security, marketing, community service, and putting together the organization’s strategic plan. In 2017, she advanced to EVP/Chief Human Resources Officer, and just four years later, she moved into her current role as EVP/COO. At every step of the way, she broke down barriers.

“I was the first African American female executive at Andrews Federal Credit Union,” she reported. “I held that position all the way through, as the first African American vice president, senior vice president, executive vice president, and now the first executive vice president/COO.”

Impact at the Branches

Throughout her career at Andrews FCU, Robinson has taken the lead on many important strategic initiatives, including expansion of the credit union’s community development activities, the startup of a project management program designed to increase organizational efficiency, implementation of a child-care subsidy program for employees, and launch of the organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion program. 

Together with SVP/Retail Marco Alvarez, Robinson has an important role in overseeing Andrew FCU’s branch locations. She has responsibility for the overseas branches, which are located in five military installations in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Meanwhile, Alvarez oversees the stateside branches, consisting of 10 total locations in Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and New Jersey.

For all of its locations, both overseas and stateside, Andrews FCU constantly strives to takes its level of member service to the next level. “We have a community engagement team that we formed two years ago because we wanted to intensify what we do in the community and to stay focused on making sure that we’re giving back to the community,” Robinson said. 

The credit union gives back in a number of ways, such as by hosting an annual turkey drive to support families in its U.S. and overseas communities, being a premier sponsor of military air shows, and helping its members during time of need. Robinson is on the forefront of many of these efforts. For instance, she oversaw an initiative to provide grants and service members and civilians overseas to help defray utility costs that skyrocketed at the time of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. She was also instrumental in supporting Andrews FCU’s premier sponsorship of the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Power in the Pines Air Show in New Jersey, which attracted over 10,000 attendees. 

At least twice a year, Robinson travels with the CEO and board chair to visit all the overseas installations to meet with their leaders and talk about their needs for the coming year. The credit union’s efforts are well appreciated. “One of the garrison leaders told us that every time there’s an event on their garrison, they can count on Andrews Federal Credit Union to be there,” Robinson recalled.

These twice-yearly trips include stops at every overseas branch. “While it can be a difficult journey sometimes, going from branch to branch by car and by train, it’s really a blessing to spend time with our employees and to thank them for a job well done,” Robinson said. 

Robinson also has an impact in the stateside branches. In 2023, Robinson was named an honorary commander by Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C. In this role, she actively sought out opportunities to enrich the lives of the local military community. As an example, she oversaw an effort to help the local school while it was housed in temporary buildings and lacking an adequate library. Andrews FCU helped launch a sidewalk library system that allowed students and teachers to check out books during this transitionary period. “The project required creative, thoughtful leadership from our community engagement team,” Robinson said.

Drawn to Credit Unions

Robinson started her career on the banking side of the financial services industry, spending six years at JP Morgan Chase Bank. However, she knew she wanted to make the transition to the credit union sector. “I was drawn to credit unions because of how they focus on the members’ financial wellbeing,” she reported. “While I learned a great deal in the banking industry, I wanted to be in an environment where decisions are more member-centric and less about profit.”

This devotion to credit unions is compatible with Robinson’s desire to have a positive impact in people’s lives. “Everybody has a dream of having a great life for themselves, for their families, and for their communities,” she said. “They want their children to go to great schools and live in a community that is a safe, enjoyable place to be. I’m very passionate about helping make those dreams come true for people.”

Prior to launching her career, Robinson gained insight into leading others during her undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where she majored in sociology and psychology. She later earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Concordia University Irvine. She also is a certified mediator, which has been helpful in both personal and professional situations. “Sometimes things will not go your way, but part of being a leader and an employee is knowing how to handle things with grace,” she said.

Beyond her duties at Andrews FCU, Robinson gives back to the community in many ways. She was elected to the Maryland Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors in 2023 and currently serves as treasurer, giving her the opportunity to advocate for consumer-friendly state legislation. She remains active in her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, giving presentations at high schools to teach young people how to present themselves in job interviews. She also works with young people through programs at local churches, teaching them business and marketing skills. 

A Life of Gratitude

Recently widowed after 35 years of marriage, Robinson is especially grateful for this award from CUES because of what it would have meant to her husband, David. “It is extra special because I know how much he would have appreciated it,” she said. The couple raised two accomplished daughters, Dionna Green, chief of staff at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), and Danae Robinson, an attorney. 

Reflecting on what she has accomplished, Robinson is also grateful for her parents who worked hard to give their children opportunities in life. Her father was one of the first African American engineers in Maryland, while her mother was an administrator in the Baltimore City school system. 

“I am thankful for all they sacrificed for their daughters to be successful,” she said. “In addition to myself, my older sister is a teacher, and my younger sister is a doctor. Our parents opened doors for us to accomplish our life’s goals. I want to follow their lead by opening doors for my children, the employees I oversee, and the people in the community.”

Another strong influence in Robinson’s life was her grandfather, who served as dean and later as president of a Bible college. He instilled in her family the importance of hard work and education and not to be discouraged by disappointments. “My grandfather understood that if you’re leading the trail, the terrain may be rough, and the journey may not be easy,” she said. “But if you’re passionate about it, if it’s where your heart is, you’ll keep going because the cause becomes greater than yourself.”

Following in her grandfather’s footsteps, Robinson hopes to encourage others to forge their own path to succeed. When speaking to a group of female high school students recently, she was asked what to do when you’re deserving of an opportunity, but someone won’t give it to you. 

“The feedback I gave was that if you know that door is supposed to open for you, remain steadfast,” she advised. “But you don’t want to take a seat at the table that is meant for someone else. There is a special seat for you; find and take that seat. It’s wisdom that will help you find the door that will open for you.”

As she proceeds in her career, Robinson will not pass up an opportunity to share what she has learned with those who could benefit from it. “I want to leave this earth empty, giving everything I have to others,” she said. “That’s what’s important to me. That’s what makes this journey worthwhile.”

Based in Missouri, Diane Franklin is a longtime contributor to CU Management magazine.