June 2025 Member of the Month: Haley Libbey
Each month, the Austin Young Chamber will highlight a member who is doing extraordinary work to strengthen our community! Showcasing their achievements is just one way we can put a spotlight on the talented, collaborative, and community-focused workforce we have here in Central Texas.
This month we’re highlighting Haley Libbey from A+ Federal Credit Union.
Tell us about yourself (personally) and what inspired you to become a part of AYC?
I’m a proud Austin native who enjoys spending quality time with my family and exploring the city’s vibrant restaurant and bar scene. Before the pandemic, I worked as a preschool teacher. A role that sparked my passion for helping others grow and ultimately led me to my current position in training and development at A+ Federal Credit Union.
When I transitioned into the corporate world and landed my first “big girl” job in finance, I was eager to connect with other young professionals who were also navigating adulthood. I wanted to learn more about what others in Austin were doing in their careers, which made joining Austin Young Chamber (AYC) a natural fit.
Through AYC, I’ve had the opportunity to attend the LEAD Summit, serve on a committee, and challenge myself to grow, especially when it comes to networking. It’s been an incredible journey of personal and professional development.
How does Texas Mutual’s Company mission align with the mission of AYC?
How does your role at work align with being involved with AYC?
My role in training and development closely aligns with being involved in AYC because both focus on growth, connection, and continuous learning. In my day-to-day work, I help employees build their skills and confidence, which often involves networking, facilitating learning opportunities, and understanding different roles within our organization.
Being part of AYC complements that perfectly. It allows me to expand my professional network, stay informed about what other industries and professionals in Austin are doing, and bring fresh ideas and perspectives back to my team. It’s a great way to stay engaged with the broader professional community while continuing to grow in my own career.
Additionally, I serve as a co-leader for our young professional DEI employee resource group. In this role, I actively promote initiatives that foster inclusion, professional development, and community engagement. My involvement with AYC is a key part of that, as it provides valuable opportunities to connect with diverse professionals, share resources, and champion equity-focused conversations both within and outside our organization.
Could you share about your role on the FAVE Awards committee?
I currently serve as the Chair of the FAVE Awards Committee, where I lead a dedicated group of volunteers in partnership with our AYC Board Liaison to plan and execute one of AYC’s signature events: The FAVE Awards. This event celebrates and highlights local Austin businesses across a variety of industries.
Although this is my first year as Chair, I’ve been actively involved with the committee since 2022 and have helped plan two FAVE Award events. Stepping into the Chair role has given me the opportunity to develop my leadership skills, manage timelines and logistics, and collaborate with a diverse team to bring a large-scale event to life. It’s been incredibly rewarding to contribute to something that not only supports local businesses but also strengthens the Austin professional community.
What is one way your role as chair of the FAVE awards committee has helped you grow as a person?
Serving as Chair of the FAVE Awards Committee has been a tremendous growth experience for me. I’ve strengthened my professional communication skills, especially when reaching out to businesses and community partners via email. I’ve also become more confident in networking and socializing within AYC to find other members who want to join our committee, which has helped me build meaningful connections. When I first joined AYC, I would attend member mixers but mostly stuck to engaging with people from my own organization who came with me. Over the past few years, I’ve really come out of my shell. I now feel comfortable starting conversations and connecting with new people on my own.
One of the most impactful parts of this role has been helping to run the show behind the scenes: coordinating logistics, supporting the team, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. Being part of the planning process for such a large-scale event has given me a deeper appreciation for the effort and collaboration it takes to bring it all together. It’s been a rewarding experience that’s helped me grow both personally and professionally.
Can you share a fun fact about yourself?
A fun fact about me is that I was once bitten by a shark at the Austin Aquarium. My wife and I went close to closing time and had the chance to feed the stingrays. I knew there were baby sharks in the tank, but I didn’t expect one to get quite so bold! As I reached to feed a stingray, a shark suddenly jumped up and bit my pinky finger. Out of pure reflex, I flung my hand—and accidentally launched the little shark out of the tank. I then look around to see if anyone had seen this once in a lifetime experience, only to realize that no one had seen what just occurred. My wife and the aquarium worker who was feeding the stingrays next to me, looked up as the shark was flopping on the ground. The worker thankfully rushed in and was able to toss the shark back into the aquarium. It was a wild and unexpected moment that definitely made for a memorable visit!
