OSWEGO, Ill. — Janel Cabadas was recently promoted to Executive Vice President of Earthmover Credit Union (ECU), where she will take on a larger leadership role. With over 20 years of experience at the credit union and a proven track record of strong leadership, Janel has spent her career fostering meaningful partnerships within the community.

“I am excited to continue to explore new opportunities that better our credit union,” said Janel. “I want to see Earthmover remain relevant and a banking powerhouse in our community. Earthmover has an amazing, caring staff. I want to continue to foster that sense of community, because we are better together.”

An Oswego native, Janel worked as a teller at ECU’s student-run branch, Panther Credit Union, at Oswego High School. She earned a bachelor’s in communication with minors in Spanish, English and psychology from Aurora University before returning to ECU. A highly capable strategic planner, Janel has served as business development manager, marketing director and, most recently, Vice President of Marketing & Business Development. One of Janel’s many strengths is understanding how different departments work together to deliver on member experience.

“I am fortunate to be moving into this role at ECU, because we have a well-thought-out strategic plan,” Janel said. “In the next few years, we will be executing our growth plan, and this will include new Earthmover branches in our surrounding communities. This excites me, because I want to see our Earthmover reach throughout all our community.”

Janel has led many vital projects that have helped the credit union grow to $420 million in assets.  Recently, she played an instrumental role in ECU’s merger with Chicago-based Peoples Energy Credit Union. The merger brought 1,900 members to Earthmover in a mutually beneficial partnership. In 2022, she oversaw a full-scale rebrand that modernized ECU, including all new design elements, logo, tagline and colors. Janel also helped reimagine ECU’s credit card program, offering more choices to members. As Executive Vice President, Janel will play a greater role in the direction of the credit union, guiding more departments and managing major strategic projects.

“My parents inspire me; they are my best friends and mentors. I am a first generation Mexican American and have seen firsthand the sacrifices my parents made to make sure their children had what they only dreamed of having,” Janel reflected. “They instilled in me the importance of relationships, keep me grounded and motivate me to make sure I put my best me out there.”

A hands-on leader, Janel does not shy away from a job, no matter how big or small. She can be found hauling boxes of paper at community shred events or loading up backpacks with school supplies at a local food pantry. Janel firmly believes that challenges are opportunities for growth. A passionate advocate of the credit union movement, Janel enjoys being out in the community meeting members, local business owners and elected officials. Her strategic insight will help shape the future of Earthmover, ensuring that members have access to competitive financial products, services and resources.

ECU is a not-for-profit full-service banking institution that has been serving its members for over 60 years. Membership is available to anyone living or working in one of the following counties: Kendall, Kane, DuPage, Will, LaSalle, DeKalb and Grundy. As a not-for-profit organization, Earthmover returns its earnings to its members through lower loan rates, higher savings rates, lower fees and more. ECU currently provides banking services to over 30,000 members at its six branch offices, located in Yorkville, Montgomery, Oswego, Aurora and North Aurora, as well as a student-run branch in the Oswego High School. For more information, please contact ECU at 630-844-4950 or log onto www.earthmovercu.com.

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