July 11, 2025

Advantage Credit Union names new COO

Advantage Credit Union in Newton hires Michelle Ouren as new Chief Operations Officer

Michelle Ouren has been in the financial services industry since 2004. Starting her career in the credit union industry as a teller, then moved into the banking industry as a head teller, sales and service coordinator, personal banker and most recently as a branch manager at another financial institution.

Ouren said, “I’m excited to get back to the credit union world. Creating relationships with the members is something I’m looking forward to. Advantage Credit Union makes all their loan decisions locally which allows us to take many things into consideration during the underwriting process.”

Leslie Nehring, CEO said, “We’re glad to have Michelle on our team. She brings many years of financial experience and leadership qualities and is well-known and respected in the community. As a growing financial institution in Jasper County, she can help us in new product implementation as well as staff development.”

Ouren is a Jasper County resident, graduating from Newton Senior High School in 2000. She graduated from The University of Iowa in 2004, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in business.  She is married to Richard and has two daughters in the Newton school district, Allison, a fourth grader at Thomas Jefferson and Katelyn, an eighth grader at Berg Middle School.

Advantage Credit Union is open to everyone who lives or works in Jasper County or 18 other counties in Central Iowa.