(Latham, N.Y.) Alissa Sykes, vice president of Lending for Sunmark Federal Credit Union was recognized as a Woman to Watch by Credit Union Times, a leading industry publication.

The Credit Union Times’ feature spotlights “influential, forward-thinking women reshaping the future of the credit union community…who are challenging the status quo and pushing creative solutions to address what ails their credit union or the industry as a whole.”

Sykes was cited for her “dedication and leadership in exploring the possibilities that have helped Sunmark FCU develop innovative solutions that deliver on local consumers’ lending needs.”

While crediting Sunmark’s lending success to “great teamwork among employees who are dedicated to thinking outside the box and taking calculated risks to deliver effective solutions,” Sykes and her team have been responsible for expanding Sunmark's product offerings, including the addition of  Federal Housing Administration, Veterans Affairs, State of New York Mortgage Agency, USDA and construction loans, in order to provide all members with options, including no-closing-cost mortgages and a variety of insurance options, while keeping delinquency levels at record lows.

“Like everything in life, it's about putting in the work and figuring out how we can grow with our current resources,” said Sykes. “Don't be afraid of failure or even success. I’m a firm believer that even if something perhaps didn't work in the past, taking those lessons, looking for ways to improve and maybe providing different options can make it work.”

Sykes has been with Sunmark for ten years and has been promoted to positions of increasing responsibility.  Sykes’ current responsibilities include oversight of all aspects of lending for Sunmark which includes mortgage, home equity, consumer and business lending, loan servicing, and collections.

In 2012, Sunmark Federal Credit Union was one of six credit unions from across the U.S. to be recognized for Excellence in Lending in the Mortgage category (more than $250 million in assets) by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) in large part due to the efforts of the mortgage team under Sykes’ leadership. 

Sykes founded the Albany-based Credit Union Real Estate Network (CUREN).  She serves on the advisory board to PHH Mortgage and Arch Mortgage Insurance and has been a member of the Rensselaer County Housing Resources (RCHR) board for more than ten years, serving in various leadership positions.

Sykes is an active member of ACUMA (American Credit Union Mortgage Association) and is a sought-after speaker at regional and national conferences on topics that range from helping credit union mortgage professionals achieve success in building purchase business to fostering realtor relationships.

Sykes has a degree from Hudson Valley Community College.  She and her husband live in Averill Park with their two sons.