Jessica Vera: Fostering Growth for Members, Team, and Community

Jessica Vera, the assistant sales manager at Purdue Federal Credit Union’s Monroe St. Branch in La Porte, embodies the credit union’s “People helping People” philosophy every day. Having grown with the credit union through several member consultant roles, she now leads her team with a focus on mentorship and member success.

“I value our team and our members,” Vera says. “I would not be where I am without either one of them. I am very fortunate to be our branch’s assistant sales manager.”

A core part of her work is guiding members through their financial journeys. For Vera, this means looking beyond the immediate transaction to find solutions that support long-term goals. She enjoys being a helpful partner for members, striving to find the best options to help them achieve financial wellness.

Vera describes her leadership style as coaching-oriented. She believes every situation offers a chance to learn and encourages her team to view challenges as opportunities for growth.

“I coach our team, if anything goes wrong, to look for what we can do next time and how we can overcome this obstacle,” she explains. “I also look for any opportunity to create a learning experience for our teams, as well as coaching them through it so they all feel confident to solve things on their own.”

To sharpen her own leadership abilities, Vera recently participated in the Leadership LaPorte County program. The experience, which included meeting with Mayor Tom Dermody, reinforced her belief that strong leadership can positively impact every part of a community. It also allowed her to build valuable local relationships.

Vera ensures her team extends the credit union’s motto beyond its walls and into the community. She mentors them to treat everyone like friends and family, a principle they demonstrate through active volunteer work. The team has lent their support to organizations like Miller’s Merry Manor, the Center for Hospice Care, and the local fire station.

Outside the credit union, Vera enjoys spending quality time outdoors with her family. One of their favorite shared activities is gardening. “Currently, we’re growing different kinds of peppers and tomatoes,” she shares.

As she continues to grow in her leadership role at Purdue Federal Credit Union, Jessica Vera remains dedicated to nurturing the success of her team, her members, and her community.