In this Women’s History Month spotlight, Kelli Krueger, ACA International’s director of education, remembers women who have paved the way before her and supported her career goals.
03/16/2022 1:45 P.M.
4 minute read
For ACA International’s Director of Education Kelli Krueger, it’s fitting that Women’s History Month is about learning as much as it is educating others.
Women make up a significant portion of the accounts receivable management (ARM) industry’s workforce, including as leaders, business owners and advocates. In recognition of Women’s History Month, ACA is featuring some of those members as well as staff in ACA Daily.
Women’s History Month originated from a weekly national celebration in 1981. In 1987, Congress designated March as Women’s History Month to recognize the achievements of women in various U.S. career fields, according to The Library of Congress Women’s History Month website.
In this week’s spotlight, Krueger remembers women who have paved the way before her and supported her career goals.
If you’re interested in learning more about networking, mentoring and events for women in the ARM industry, check out ACA’s Women in Collections Resource Council and its group on The Hub.
Q. What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
A. Women’s History Month, to me, is all about learning from the past and finding new ways to encourage and support continued growth and change. Like the other months dedicated to honoring diversity, it’s all about remembering to honor those who have paved the way while not forgetting that there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done here in the U.S and around the world.
Q. How do you celebrate and honor Women’s History Month on a personal level and/or at your company?
A. My goal in March is to write a handwritten thank-you note to the women that have guided and mentored me throughout my career.
Q. What ideas do you have for companies interested in embracing diversity and inclusion among your team and in the industry, both this month and year-round?
A. It needs to be embraced at the top because employees look to leadership as their compass. Diversity, inclusion, and equity can no longer be seen as an initiative. It’s now table stakes and a permission to play. If diversity, inclusion, and equity aren’t already palpable in your company culture, you are risking an even greater dwindling candidate pool, which could result in client and revenue loss.
Q. What current role do you see women playing in the ARM industry?
A. With more diversity comes more fresh ideas and innovation. Men and women have different experiences and backgrounds in this industry, which shapes our individual approaches to business. We need to continue to challenge the status quo and collaborate with people who think differently.
Q. Who inspires you among women in history or in your life? Why?
A. Earlier this year I took my daughters and mother to the musical “The Suffragist.” I didn’t really know what it was about before going—it was just something to do when both my girls were home on a college break, but after seeing it, our minds were blown and still are. It’s an historical account about Carrie Chapman Catt and Alice Paul and their struggles against the government, society, and each other. It is a hard-fought battle with both women moving toward a shared goal: winning the vote. It’s a part of history none of us remembered learning about in school. We all knew it happened but didn’t realize all they gave to the fight. Women would be arrested while picketing for the right to vote, were thrown in workhouses where they were clubbed, beaten, force-fed, and tortured by the guards. It’s a very interesting part of our history more people should be aware of.
Q. What would you like to see for the future of women in the ARM industry and what can we as an industry do to help accomplish that?
A. Collaboration is truly the only way we will all succeed. There is enough success to go around. We need to raise each other up and channel the power of the pack and continually build a network of amazing women in this industry. You can start by joining ACA’s Women in Collections Resource Council’s Water Cooler Chat.
Upcoming Events
The WICRC hosts its monthly Water Cooler Chat on the second Thursday of the month. The Water Cooler Chat is an uplifting, professional 30-minute networking event. Complete a one-time registration for the online event here, and make sure to attend the next chat, April 14 from 1-1:30 p.m. CDT.
Do you know a member you would like to see featured in ACA Daily’s Member Spotlight or Collector magazine’s Origin Story? Would you like to share your story? We are also looking to highlight our international members and new members of ACA. Simply reach out to our communications team at [email protected] with your ideas. We’d love to hear from you!
If you have executive leadership updates or other member news to share with ACA, contact our communications department at [email protected]. View our publications page for more information and our news submission guidelines here.