Her Story
About Tamesha
Tamesha Fikes is a Fort Wayne, Indiana-based financial services leader with 21 years of experience spanning banking, auditing, foreclosure prevention, and credit union management. She currently serves as Community Development Manager at MidWest America Federal Credit Union, where she cultivates partnerships with nonprofits, civic leaders, and employer groups to expand access to financial opportunity throughout the region. Her path into the industry began unexpectedly: after earning her bachelor's degree in financial management from Indiana University Bloomington and later an MBA in accounting from Indiana Wesleyan University, she accepted a personal banker role at the urging of her grandmother while raising a one-year-old. That decision launched a swift rise through the ranks, from assistant branch manager to branch manager in her twenties, and eventually led her through roles at Lincoln Financial Group, the Fort Wayne Urban League, Wells Fargo, and Flagstar Bank before she found her calling in credit union community development. Along the way, she also spent several years as an adjunct professor at Trine University, teaching graduate-level finance courses.
At the core of Tamesha's work is a conviction that financial education can transform lives and entire communities. She has built outreach programs from the ground up, including a grant-funded matched savings initiative that helps survivors of homelessness and domestic violence turn modest savings into meaningful resources for housing and stability. Her leadership philosophy rests on integrity, empathy, and empowerment, values she credits to the unwavering encouragement of her parents, who taught her early on that she was capable of achieving anything she pursued. That belief has shaped how she approaches both her career and her mentorship of others, encouraging young professionals to learn broadly across every function of their organizations rather than narrowly focusing on a single role, so they can become trusted resources for the people they serve.
Beyond her professional achievements, Tamesha is deeply invested in civic and community life. She serves on the Board of Directors for Vincent Village, a family shelter preparing to open a newly built facility after decades in an inadequate space, and holds leadership roles within Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, including a term as president of her local chapter. She also serves as Vice Chair of her local Democratic Party, championing voter education and civic engagement, and has spent years volunteering with Junior Achievement USA to teach financial literacy to students. Her contributions have been recognized with honors including the Preston A. Lyons Sr. Freedom and Justice Award from the NAACP and a 40 Under 40 Business Professional Award from Fort Wayne Business Weekly, and she was recently featured in Influential Women magazine's 2026 edition as a leading voice representing Fort Wayne. Whether through her career, board service, or volunteer work, Tamesha remains guided by the belief that shared knowledge and genuine service create lasting, generational impact.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tamesha
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my family, especially my parents, who instilled in me from an early age the belief that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to. Their encouragement gave me the confidence to embrace new opportunities, take thoughtful risks, and approach every challenge with the understanding that growth comes from being willing to try. My family continues to support every new chapter of my journey, often joining me in the causes I care about and helping me expand our collective impact in the community. I'm also grateful for the encouragement of close friends who believe in me, reminding me that meaningful change is rarely accomplished alone.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've received is really a philosophy my parents gave me: that the sky is the limit, and I should never fear failure. I've learned that every experience offers valuable lessons and opens the door to new possibilities. I encourage myself, and others, to step outside our comfort zones, because even when something doesn't go as planned, the courage to try is an accomplishment in itself.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women entering this industry to embrace continuous learning and to look beyond their specific job function. True expertise comes from understanding every aspect of the organization you work for, not just your own role. I make it a point to ask questions, seek knowledge, and understand how different departments work together, because that has allowed me to provide more comprehensive guidance to the members and clients I serve. I've found that understanding products, services, lending practices, underwriting, and operations enables me to be a trusted resource who connects people with the right solutions and the right experts, rather than someone who simply answers questions. I believe professionals who stay curious and keep learning are better positioned to build trust, solve problems, and create lasting impact.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest opportunity I see right now is growing our community development work further. This includes expanding our outreach into underserved communities, developing a mini-foundation, securing and managing grant-funded programs, and carefully vetting the right partners so we can scale our impact responsibly. I'm energized by the chance to build sustainable programs that go beyond immediate assistance and create long-term, transformative change for the people and communities we serve.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, empathy, confidence, and empowerment are the values that guide me most. I believe lasting leadership begins with integrity — honoring my commitments, leading with honesty, and holding myself to the highest ethical standards. Empathy allows me to understand people's unique experiences and meet them where they are, which helps me build stronger relationships and create solutions that truly serve my community. Confidence, to me, isn't about having all the answers — it's the willingness to believe in myself even amid uncertainty. Above all, I'm driven by empowerment: whether through financial education, mentorship, or advocacy, I'm committed to equipping others with the knowledge, resources, and confidence they need to achieve their goals, because empowering one person creates a ripple effect that strengthens families, organizations, and entire communities.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.