In 1987, a student from Ball State University spent a summer working at a Hoosier credit union. Her assignment was on a brand-new product called the “Easy Loan,” and her tools consisted of typewriters, multi-part forms, and countless bottles of white-out. “I thought it would just be a summer job, but I fell in love with the financial industry,” she recalls. That student was Dawn Hardwick, and the credit union—formerly Eli Lilly Federal Credit Union—is now Elements Financial.

After leaving college, Dawn joined Elements full-time. Since her time at the credit union, she has held 17 different roles, including lending, sales, underwriting, processing, loan servicing, and credit card operations.

Her most recent and final role at the credit union, as Services and Sales Manager, combines her years of sales experience with her passion for enhancing the member experience through internal training. Dawn approaches each task with strong communication skills, positive thinking, and magnetic energy.

Her career is marked by countless projects, but here are some of her most memorable highlights:

Y2K Readiness (2000)

While the world was frightened by the year 2000 approaching, Elements stayed one step ahead with the Y2K Committee. This group tested the loan systems to ensure there were no disruptions. “Obviously, the world didn’t end in 2000, but the extra effort paid off with no major issues,” Dawn laughed.

We Care Program (2005)

Dawn’s career at Elements has been a rich blend of operational excellence and human touch. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, she helped create a program, in partnership with Eli Lilly, to support members in need. She even joined a group of volunteers to capture stories in New Orleans. She shared, “Phone lines were down for days. We created a program to help with housing, food—whatever was needed. We even visited the 9th Ward in New Orleans to capture stories of recovery, and the program still exists today.”

Eli Lilly Federal Credit Union to Elements (2015)

Before Elements Financial, the credit union was named Eli Lilly Federal Credit Union (ELFCU). In 2015, ELFCU rebranded as Elements Financial to distinguish itself from its founders. Dawn helped lead empathy training during the brand refresh. This included engaging employees in the change, creating excitement, and easing members by answering their questions during the transition.

Lifelong Relationships (1990-)

At Elements, the goal is simple – to help members achieve financial success. When you open an account at Elements, it marks the beginning of a lifelong partnership. Among all the roles Dawn has held at Elements, what kept her most excited was engaging with people—both members and her colleagues. “Relationships and trust matter the most to me, and I’m grateful to have built so many lasting friendships during my time with Elements,” she shared.

Dawn’s Next Chapter

Dawn has always practiced what she preached—staying financially informed and leveraging Elements’ resources herself. After decades of service and regular meetings with Elements Wealth Management advisor Liz Wertz, Dawn realized she had reached her goal earlier than expected.

Early retirement is achievable, and Dawn is the perfect example of that! If you’re planning to retire early or want to increase your savings, here’s some trusted financial advice that Dawn has followed and is eager to share:

Create an investment plan — Nobody wants to work forever. Contribute consistently to your 401(k), Roth IRA, or other retirement accounts and meet with a trusted financial advisor to stay on track for your goals. Keep in mind that everyone’s financial situation is different, so always do what feels right for you! Connect with an Elements Wealth Management Advisor.

Leverage your home’s equity — If you’re a homeowner, you have equity that you can use whenever you need it. In 2021, Dawn and her husband used Elements’ Home Equity Line of Credit to purchase a cargo van, which they renovated and use for frequent trips. Don’t be afraid to tap into your equity for big-ticket expenses.

Be cautious of “life creep” — Life creep occurs when you spend more as you earn more. Invest windfalls and start retirement contributions early to avoid high-interest rate debt during your financial journey.

During her 35 years at Elements, she has contributed to her 401(k) plan, saved responsibly, and leveraged her assets to achieve her long-term retirement goal. When asked how she plans to spend this next chapter, she stated,

On behalf of the entire Elements team, we are honored to celebrate Dawn as she embarks on this exciting new chapter. Her approach to service and member experience has shaped how we connect with both our members and our team. We wish Dawn a wonderful retirement!