Amy Downs: From Survivor to Leader - An Inspiring "Hope" in Action

Amy Downs, the President & CEO of Allegiance Credit Union is fortunate to be granted a precious gift of a second lease on life, a chance to embrace each moment with gratitude and purpose, cherishing the beauty of existence. She is one of the last survivors of the bomb blast that destroyed the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on 19th April 1995 where 18 of the 33 employees of Allegiance Credit Union lost their lives.

From a college dropout and overweight teller to an Ironman finisher with an MBA from Southern Nazarene University, she is now proud to be the CEO of Allegiance Credit Union. Her passion lies in empowering others, urging them to never settle but instead to constantly strive for personal and professional growth.

Allegiance Credit Union operates as a not-for-profit financial institution, functioning as a member-owned cooperative where each member holds a stake and reaps the rewards of the credit union’s success. With a primary emphasis on member service and the advancement of their financial health, the credit union diligently serves its members’ needs.

Amy mentions that her company aims to advance its members’ financial well-being through growth and innovation, adapting to market shifts and evolving needs. According to her, a constant assessment is needed to address the growing needs of the members. The company’s commitment extends to fostering a quality work environment for employees, promoting their involvement, recognition, professional growth, teamwork, and inclusivity. By prioritizing the employees’ welfare, the company ensures to provide exceptional care to its members.

Following a devastating bombing that devastated the sole location of the company in Oklahoma City and claimed the lives of over half the staff, the company faced unprecedented challenges. Overnight, the company had to rebuild everything from scratch with a new business model, with nearly all new employees. Despite the immense adversity, they remained resolute in their vision and forged ahead with a clear sense of purpose. Their resilience and determination led them to implement a magic wand framework for execution, described in a book written by Amy Downs – “Hope is a Verb; My Story of Impossible Transformation.” This approach was really useful in dealing with the tough times after the bombing, helping them find a new way forward full of positive changes and fresh starts.

In her book, Amy briefs on how she found herself engulfed by the implosion of her building, falling three stories and enduring over six hours buried alive. Yet, amidst the trauma and grief, Amy harnessed the power of hope to rise above the circumstances, evolving from a victim to a champion across various aspects of her life—work, education, health, spirit, and love. Amy’s journey, filled with openness, vulnerability, and seemingly impossible challenges, showcases the incredible strength of genuine hope. Regardless of the weight of our struggles, whether they stem from our jobs, health, habits, doubts, trauma, or grief, Amy teaches us that hope is something we can actively put into action right now. Through her story, she encourages us to believe that we can shape our futures into the dreams we envision.

Amy leads with an Open Book Management approach fostering an environment of transparency, engagement, and ownership among team members. She believes in keeping everyone informed and involved in decision-making processes. By continuously evaluating other financial institutions in the market, she and her team actively search for ways to improve by studying competitors’ strategies—a practice she calls “shopping the competition.” This helps them stay ahead by adopting best practices and refining their own operations.

Allegiance Credit Union initiated a collaboration with Scissortail Community Development Corporation in 2021, aiming to gain insight into the financial needs of Oklahoma City’s Hispanic/Latino community. Alianza is a concept developed through extensive community engagement. Alianza will be the sole credit union in Oklahoma conceived by and for the Hispanic/Latino community, offering financial services and products specifically designed for their cultural context. Alianza’s mission is to empower and uplift the Hispanic/Latino community by providing opportunities for business growth, building family wealth, and nurturing a generation of financially savvy leaders for the future.

With over two decades of public speaking experience, Amy has addressed more than 35,000 individuals her expertise shines through her extensive engagement with diverse audiences.  Amy Downs’ incredible achievements speak volumes about her dedication and leadership. Throughout her illustrious career, she has been recognized for her outstanding contributions and impact in various domains. From being named the Journal Record’s Most Admired CEO in 2020 to receiving the prestigious SNU Outstanding Alumni Award in November 2022, Amy’s accolades reflect her commitment to excellence. Her success extends beyond corporate recognition, with honours such as the Journal Record Woman of the Year in 2015 and the CUNA Rock Star Designation in 2016. In 2022, she was also awarded Journal Record’s Best Keynote Speaker 2022, further amplifying her position as a powerhouse in both business and public speaking.