Women’s History Month with Charlotte Morrison: SVP – CIO at Amplify CU

March is Women’s History Month, and we are celebrating by showcasing some of our amazing team members! We asked women across our organization to reflect on their careers, accomplishments, and what Women’s History month means to them. Throughout the month, we’ll be highlighting their answers on our blog and social media channels.

Charlotte Morrison has been the Chief Information Officer for Amplify Credit Union since 2019. With a career that spans over thirty years, her in-depth understanding of Information Technology includes contemporary core systems, data center operations, in-house IT models, cyber security, audits, and financial services ancillary software. With her business acumen, strategic mindset, and technical skills, Charlotte plays an invaluable role in our organization.

We asked her some questions surrounding her career, experience at Amplify, and Women’s History Month. The following are her responses to these questions.

Why did you choose your profession?

I’m an accidental banker! I majored in Anthropology in college and took part time jobs in a bank to help me make it through financially. When it came time to work full time, I started as a Branch Manager. It was a small bank and they asked me to help coordinate the IT function. I found out I really liked it and was good at it.

What do you love most about what you do?

Mentoring my team is number one. Solving problems and implementing complex solutions would come next. I’m a mystery buff, so I think some of that translates into looking for solutions.

What made you choose Amplify Credit Union?

I fell in love with Credit Unions, once I knew more about them. They do everything a bank does, but for a good cause. That was really important to me. When it came time for a career move, I wanted to be sure that I could not only fill a need but find a good cultural fit.

Tell us about a professional success here at Amplify that you’re proud of.

The IT and Security departments at Amplify needed to be evaluated and brought up to a performance level commensurate of a billion-dollar financial institution. Promoting employees from within and giving them a chance to lead, as well as recruiting great talent from the outside, has combined to make a winning team. The team successfully migrated our computer processing from an unreliable in-house system to two secure and redundant data centers. This was a huge project which took place over two years.

“Be honest when you don’t know something. And always lift as you climb. “

What do you think is the key for success in a role like yours?

Being a woman, in a traditionally male-dominated field has presented challenges. If you don’t like them, step away! Don’t personalize business related issues. Be smarter than most and be confident. Be honest when you don’t know something. And always lift as you climb.

Tell us about a woman you look up to and why.

Madeleine Albright. The first female US Secretary of State. She came to this country as an immigrant and has achieved great success as a politician and diplomat. Her career spans working on the National Security Council, to the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and then the United States Secretary of State. Talk about someone succeeding in a man’s world!

Do you have a mentor?

I’ve had multiple mentors along the way. Some, who taught me lessons I still use today. Now, I love learning from those around me. Whether I report to them, collaborate with them, or if I’m a peer with them.

What do you wish you could tell your younger self?

Be more focused.

Any advice to young women who want to succeed in your field, industry, or just in general?

Yes, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something, because you can. And be tough. Stand up for yourself, and what you know is right.

What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?

Know when to fight and when to back down. Don’t go into a battle at work if you don’t already have 51%. Work on getting that first.

How are you breaking barriers faced by women in your field?

Hopefully, by being a role model. If there is a younger woman out there that wants to be a CIO, then seeing someone else in that role, who has gotten there, might help.

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?

That we’ve come a long way. But women still make less on the dollar than men, and there is still discrimination out there. Don’t let it stop you.

Supporting Our Team

We have something valuable to learn from every woman at Amplify. Join us over the next few weeks as we recognize more of our team members. We invite you to listen, share, and support these amazing women!