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Credit union employees are the heart of the industry. They are the ones who directly assist and improve the communities in which they serve every day—truly making a difference in the lives of many Mainers. One of the best parts of this is that employees with any amount of experience and any length of tenure have the ability to help members reach successful financial futures and achieve life goals.
Beginning at the 2024 Elevate conference, the League wanted to recognize up-and-coming credit union employees in our annual Awards Ceremony. The John G. Murphy Rising Star Award was created to honor an employee within the first eight years of their credit union career who is dedicated to advancing the movement and serving their community. At this year’s Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 16, League President Elise Baldacci announced Ruth Moubagou, Relationship Specialist at Community CU, as the 2025 John G. Murphy Rising Star!
Moubagou was nominated enthusiastically by Community CU’s President/CEO, Jennifer Hogan, for being “the very definition of a Rising Star—someone whose passion, perseverance, and kindness shine brightly, illuminating the path for others to follow.” She explained that Moubagou is an inspiration. She was born and raised in the Congo and excelled academically, going on to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Beijing, China. Eventually, she found herself in the United States, “where she faced the daunting challenge of starting over in a new country with a new language and an entirely different financial system.” Carving out a future for herself, she enrolled in a Teller Training Program at Portland Adult Education with a dream of working in financial services one day.
Hogan continued, stating that “her first days as a Teller were challenging. On her first day, she didn’t yet know the difference between a nickel and a dime—she relied on the penny and the quarter because those were easier to distinguish. While some might have been discouraged, Ruth embraced the challenge with grace, determination, and an eagerness to learn that was nothing short of remarkable.
“What truly sets Ruth apart is her heart. She didn’t just learn the job—she poured herself into it. She connected with members in ways that transcended words, making them feel welcomed, valued, and understood. She speaks four languages, and watching her seamlessly switch between them to serve our diverse membership is simply amazing. But beyond her ability to communicate, Ruth listens. She cares. She makes every person she interacts with feel like they matter.”
Moubagou was not deterred by obstacles in her path, like members who hesitated to go to her station, micro-aggressive comments made about her accent, and general unkindness. Instead, she remained patient, professional, and committed “to proving that great service has no barriers.” Hogan appreciates how she turned adversity into motivation to always be the best she could, not only for herself but for her team and the members who needed her.
Before advancing, Moubagou opted to remain in the Teller role for three years—not because she was not ready to move ahead but because she strived to master it, allowing her to “serve members with confidence and knowledge.” When she finally applied for and was promoted into her dream position, she continued to work on her skills, taking an English language class to enable her to have the deeper, more complex conversations typical for her new position. Moubagou always did what it took to serve members at the highest level.
“Ruth is a shining example of what it means to be a Rising Star,” shared Hogan. “She has overcome barriers with resilience, serves with kindness, and leads with humility. She has shown us all that dreams are achievable, that hard work pays off, and that the best leaders are those who lift others up along the way”
Congratulations on this well-deserved award, Ruth, and thank you for the hard work, dedication, and commitment you have to serving and uplifting those in your community. You are a true Rising Star!