Mollie Bell
Chief Development Officer, Ent Credit Union

Mollie Bell joined Ent Credit Union in December 2018 as Ent’s Chief Development Officer. She leads people and culture strategy for the credit union including human resources, Ent University, internal communications, and community impact.  

Mollie has worked on behalf of credit unions since 2007, having worked for Credit Union National Association, Filene Research Institute, and CUNA Mutual Group in executive positions ranging from strategic project portfolio management to industry engagement. She has traveled extensively working with credit unions and credit union service organizations serving as a thought-leader for transformation, leadership development, culture, and growth strategies. 

Mollie founded a 501(c)(3) animal sanctuary in 2020 to foster empathy by connecting humankind with horses considered unadoptable. Prior to her experience in the credit union industry, Mollie held roles as an attorney, consultant, teacher, and business owner. She earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas School of Law in 2001 and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with honors at Lamar University in 1992. 

 

Heather Browning
Founder, Colonial Benefit Group

Heather Browning, MBA, CRM, CIC has over 27 years of experience in the healthcare insurance industry advising clients and protecting businesses and employees.  In 2000, Heather founded Colonial Benefit Group, an insurance brokerage and business benefit consulting firm, in California.  Under her leadership and vision, Colonial Benefit Group expanded within a few years to Colorado and twelve other states consulting for companies across a variety of business sectors. Heather enjoys applying her education and work experience in human resources by supporting small businesses and employees.

With an ever-changing world of insurance affected by legislation and tax laws, Heather focuses her practice on advising employers and organizations on compliance with employee benefit and insurance laws, including ACA, ERISA, HIPAA, and COBRA. In addition, she is counseling businesses on the 2024 Colorado PFML law and guidelines. Heather serves on the boards of the Employee Benefit Planning Association of Southern California (EBPA), Professional Association of Insurance Agents (NAPIA) and was appointed the Co-Legislative chair for the California Association of Health Underwriters (CAHU). As a subject matter expert, she has consulted and presented to industry associations, including California Health Underwriters and SHRM.

In her spare time, Heather applies her MBA and passion for business and human resources by teaching young entrepreneurs and mentoring start-ups and small businesses across the western United States.

 

Jessica Brown
VP of People & Culture, Unitus Community Credit Union

Jessica Brown, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, MBA, is a senior professional in Human Resources (HR) with over 18 years’ experience in HR management. She is currently the Vice President of People & Culture at Unitus Community Credit Union.  

Jessica has spent half of her career in the credit union space where she has developed a service philosophy that centers relationship building and effective communication to solve problems with innovative solutions. Throughout her career, she has advocated for and advanced many employee-focused initiatives like student loan repayment, unlimited time off, and remote work.  

She received her bachelor’s in communication from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, and her MBA from Concordia University. She is married with two children and enjoys being involved in her community. 

 

Mel Hanes
Chief People Officer, Blue FCU

In August, Mel will celebrate 18 years with Blue Federal Credit Union. Holding an M.A. in Communication and Leadership, Mel leads the human resource, learning & development, and culture teams at Blue in coaching and developing staff, making genuine connections, and ensuring an amazing workplace culture. Her daily goal is to make a difference to at least one person a day. Outside of the workday Mel loves spending time with her family. She and her husband enjoy attending University of Wyoming football games, golfing and recently have taken up scuba diving.

 

Kim McGair
Shareholder & Firm President, FWW

Kim McGair‘s practice emphasizes a wide range of litigation matters including employment, commercial litigation, commercial collections, personal injury defense, and real estate litigation. She is an advocate for her clients and provides them with sensible advice and strong representation to protect their interests and help them achieve their objectives as efficiently as possible. Kim was selected by her peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America® 2018-2023 for Commercial Litigation and to the Oregon Super Lawyers list 2019-2022 for Commercial Litigation. 

 

Kelly Tilden
Shareholder & Employee Group Chair, FWW

Kelly Tilden  focuses her practice in the areas of employment law, business, and litigation. She advises clients regarding the hiring, discipline, and termination of employees, compliance with state and federal civil rights, wage and hour laws, and leave laws. Kelly offers practical guidance and experienced-based insight to help employers confidently apply state and federal regulations. Her peers have selected her for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America® 2018-2023 for Employment Law – Management.

 

Trish Walsh
Shareholder, FWW

Trish Walsh focuses her practice in the areas of litigation and employment law, protecting clients’ interests inside and outside the courtroom. In her employment practice, Trish drafts, audits, and updates policy handbooks and provides advice on employment issues under Oregon, Washington, and federal laws. Her peers have selected her for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America® 2023 for Commercial Litigation.