Leading with Heart: How Dr. Brenda Elaine Austin Turns Service into a Legacy
In a world often defined by transactions, Dr. Brenda Elaine Austin leads with transformation. With over 37 years in the financial services industry, she has built a career rooted in excellence, compassion, and the firm belief that true leadership begins with service. From credit union boardrooms to community shelters, her commitment is clear: to empower, uplift, and leave every space better than she found it.
As Business Relationship Manager at CPM Federal Credit Union and a Certified Financial Counselor, Dr. Austin does far more than manage numbers. She manages trust. Her recruitment of member companies and outreach across the Field of Membership has not only grown the credit union’s impact but also solidified her role as a community pillar. She was the first recipient of CPM’s Gwen Miller Service Award—a recognition that speaks volumes about her embodiment of professionalism, unity, integrity, and compassion.
But it is Dr. Austin’s work beyond the walls of her organization that showcases the full spectrum of her leadership. A 2023 Top Ten Woman of ABWA, she has been instrumental in the growth of the EmpowerHer ABWA Chapter in Orangeburg, South Carolina. As a founding Formation Team Member, she helped install 105 new members and personally sponsored 20 women into the network—earning her numerous accolades, including the Hand of Friendship (Inner Circle) recognition, Protégé Award, and EmpowerHer Woman of the Year.
Balancing motherhood and grandmotherhood with a vibrant civic life, Dr. Austin has mastered the art of serving across sectors. She’s worn many hats: Co-Chair of Membership and Hospitality, former Chapter Treasurer, and now a member of Rotary District 7770’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Her service on advisory boards for The Technology Center, Relay for Life, United Way, Sickle Cell Foundation, and countless others underscores a simple truth: her leadership is not about credit—it’s about contribution.
Named Orangeburg County’s Citizen of the Month for Respect, and 2023 Juneteenth Parade Grand Marshal, Dr. Austin’s influence is visible not just in the awards she’s won—but in the lives she’s touched. Whether raising funds for Alzheimer’s research or mentoring emerging professionals through the African American Credit Union Coalition, she turns every role into a ripple effect of progress.
Her values are as enduring as her impact: integrity, servant leadership, continuous learning, and heartfelt connection. A Summa Cum Laude graduate of Claflin University, she pairs academic rigor with real-world results. In 2022, she completed ABWA’s Kansas University MBA Essentials program—a testament to her lifelong commitment to growth.
To aspiring leaders, Dr. Austin offers this advice: “Lead with authenticity, serve without expectation, and always believe that one person can change a community.”
Her long-term vision? To continue inspiring others—especially women—to rise, lead, and serve with intention. Her work is not done. Her impact is still unfolding. And her story is far from finished.
About Dr. Brenda Elaine Austin
Dr. Brenda Elaine Austin is a distinguished Business Relationship Manager with CPM Federal Credit Union, Certified Financial Counselor, community leader, and multi-award-winning advocate for women in leadership. With over 37 years in the financial industry, she has earned accolades such as the Gwen Miller Service Award, Rotary “Rotarian of the Year,” and ABWA’s Top Ten Woman of 2023. A leader in civic engagement, she serves on numerous boards, chairs outreach initiatives, and mentors rising professionals. Passionate about equity, service, and empowerment, Dr. Austin continues to redefine what it means to lead with purpose and heart.
