Top executives: Banking leaders shaped at UNM’s Anderson School of Management

Alumni of The University of New Mexico's Anderson School of Management are serving in top leadership roles across banking and financial services, guiding institutions through change while remaining rooted in community impact. Their careers span decades, institutions, and regions, but share a common foundation shaped at Anderson.

"As CEOs and presidents, our alumni are shaping the financial foundations of the communities they serve," said Anderson Dean Alina Chircu.

The following alumni highlight how that foundation translates into leadership in practice: Michelle Coons, Michelle Dearholt, Ron Moorehead, Scott Page and Craig Reeves. UCAM will publish individual stories on the UNM Newsroom starting Friday, March 20.

Michelle Dearholt on leadership, strategy and saying yes to opportunity

Michelle Dearholt's path to president and CEO of Nusenda Credit Union reflects a leadership philosophy rooted in openness, adaptability, and a willingness to grow beyond defined roles. Appointed CEO in March 2024, Dearholt's journey spans nearly two decades of professional development shaped by education, experience, and trust in people.

Dearholt earned her bachelor's degree in business administration with a focus on human resource management from The University of New Mexico in 2002, followed by an MBA from the Anderson School of Management in 2007. Early in her career, she was certain she would remain in human resources, eventually becoming a vice president of HR. After achieving that goal, she was unexpectedly asked to take on project management-an unfamiliar area that challenged her comfort zone but revealed her broader leadership potential.

"That was step one of learning that leadership isn't about being an expert," Dearholt said. "It's about being open."

That pivotal decision led to expanded responsibilities across more than a dozen departments over the next decade, preparing her for executive leadership. Dearholt credits Anderson's collaborative learning environment, group projects, and strategic management coursework with helping her understand how diverse functions align to achieve organizational goals. Completing her MBA while working full time allowed her to immediately apply classroom lessons to real-world challenges, strengthening her critical thinking and decision-making skills.

As CEO, Dearholt leads with a people-centered, strategic perspective grounded in collaboration and curiosity. A former member of the Anderson Alumni Council, she values the enduring professional relationships built through UNM, emphasizing that leadership growth often comes not from rigid plans, but from being willing to say yes to what's next.

Read more about Dearlholt here.

From Anderson to the Executive Suite: Michelle Coons' leadership journey

Michelle Coons' leadership journey reflects a career built not on titles, but on adaptability, relationships, and a deep understanding of people. A 1983 graduate of The University of New Mexico with a dual major in finance and general management, Coons is now an Executive Director at WaFd Bank, overseeing operations across six states in her 42nd year in banking. She credits her education at the Anderson School of Management with shaping her approach to leadership, decision-making, and change.

One of the most influential experiences during her time at Anderson was a management course taught by Regents Professor Joe Champoux, where students examined Machiavelli's ideas as lessons in human behavior and leadership rather than power. From that coursework, Coons adopted three guiding principles: adapt quickly, protect reputation, and understand human nature.

"If you truly understand what matters to your staff - their challenges and their high points - then they will trust you," Coons said. "And they'll go the extra mile."

That people-centered philosophy was reinforced through Anderson's case-based learning, which emphasized holistic problem-solving and financial discipline. Coons also points to accounting as one of the most valuable tools in her career, drawing daily on the strong foundation she developed as a student.

Her entry into banking came unexpectedly through a part-time opportunity discovered on an Anderson bulletin board, leading to a management trainee role before graduation. Since then, Coons has led teams through mergers, acquisitions, and cultural integrations, delivering measurable results. Since joining WaFd Bank in 2017, New Mexico deposits have nearly doubled from $850 million to $1.6 billion.

Beyond her professional achievements, Coons remains deeply engaged in the UNM community through service, mentorship, and alumni leadership. For her, leadership is ultimately sustained through trust, experience, and connection - lessons first learned at Anderson and refined over a lifetime.

Ron Moorehead leads with purpose, people, and perspective

Ron Moorehead's career path reflects how curiosity, adaptability, and a people-centered education can shape long-term leadership. When he arrived at The University of New Mexico, Moorehead initially considered law school, but an engaging accounting professor who emphasized real-world application redirected his ambitions. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting in 1982 and soon became a CPA, entering the profession just as technology began transforming financial systems.

Recognizing early that accounting was shifting from paper ledgers to digital platforms, Moorehead returned to UNM Anderson to pursue an MBA, graduating in 1995 with a concentration in information systems. Beyond technical expertise, the program broadened his understanding of leadership, motivation, and decision-making. Courses in management theory, economics, and strategic planning helped him see how people respond to change-insight he continues to rely on today.

"Even though business school covers a lot of technical material, it also taught me a great deal about working with people and what motivates them," Moorehead said.

That strategic, human-centered perspective proved essential as Moorehead moved from traditional financial roles into executive leadership. As president and CEO of First Financial Credit Union, he has strengthened the institution's role as a Community Development Financial Institution, focusing on underserved communities and banking deserts across New Mexico. Under his leadership, the credit union expanded financial counseling, invested in high-school financial literacy programs, and prioritized long-term community impact over short-term profit.

Moorehead credits Anderson's well-rounded curriculum and alumni network for preparing him to think beyond numbers. Now in his mid-60s, he remains energized by collaboration and lifelong learning, guided by a belief that effective leadership begins with understanding people.

Scott Page credits Anderson for shaping his leadership journey in banking

Scott Page's leadership journey in banking is rooted in adaptability, strategic thinking, and a people-first mindset shaped early at Anderson School of Management at The University of New Mexico. Now serving as regional president of Busey Bank in Champaign, Illinois, Page did not initially plan on a banking career. Instead, his path evolved through education, leadership opportunities, and a willingness to learn.

A first-generation American and college student, Page earned his bachelor's degree in finance from Anderson in 1980 and returned to complete his MBA in marketing in 1983. He credits Anderson with challenging him academically and reshaping how he approached problem-solving, finance, and strategy. Graduate school pushed him further, as he balanced commuting, work, and family responsibilities while learning alongside more experienced professionals.

"I really didn't know how to think strategically - from a finance or accounting perspective," Page said. "It was hard. I had to completely readjust my thinking."

That adjustment proved pivotal. A capstone strategic planning project during his final semester became his first deep exposure to organizational strategy, influencing a leadership style centered on culture, collaboration, and long-term vision. At just 25, Page stepped into a management role leading employees significantly older than himself, an experience that taught him humility and the importance of earning trust.

Over the following decades, Page advanced into senior leadership roles overseeing multi-state banking operations. Despite rapid industry change, he believes flexible strategy, communication, and authenticity remain essential. Reflecting on his career, Page views Anderson as foundational, crediting the school with helping him compete nationally while staying grounded - a combination that continues to define his leadership approach today.

Craig Reeves built a banking career rooted in teamwork, trust, and Anderson pride

Craig Reeves' banking career is a testament to the power of teamwork, humility, and an education grounded in real-world leadership. Raised on a ranch in Clayton, N.M., Reeves never planned to attend college. A spontaneous decision to accompany a friend to register at The University of New Mexico changed everything. Reeves went on to graduate from the Anderson School of Management in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in business administration, concentrating in accounting and finance.

That unplanned step launched a 36-year banking career, culminating in his role as president and CEO of First National Bank of New Mexico, where he led branches across northeastern New Mexico. After retiring, Reeves and his wife founded FNBCash, continuing his work in financial services. The same friend who inspired him to enroll at UNM later became the bank's attorney, a professional relationship that lasted more than three decades.

At Anderson, Reeves encountered collaborative, team-based learning for the first time. Professors pushed him to speak up, work in groups, and think strategically-skills that became foundational to his leadership style. He was especially influenced by faculty who were full-time professionals and brought real business challenges into the classroom. Informal study groups and close mentorships, including a lasting bond with tax professor Dr. Elliott, further shaped his approach to decision-making and leadership.

"I focused on the team rather than just making money," Reeves said. "If you take care of your employees, success follows."

Although Reeves once envisioned a career in accounting, banking proved to be a better fit. Working alongside graduates from elite institutions, he said Anderson prepared him just as well-if not better. Looking back, Reeves credits Anderson with giving him confidence, pride, and a people-first philosophy that defined his success as a leader.