Rooted in Values, Driven by Vision: Meghann’s Ellafi Story
At Ellafi, we believe your financial journey should reflect who you are. That’s why we’ve built a banking experience shaped around your needs—not the other way around. Whether you’re seeking simplicity, flexibility, financial growth, entrepreneurial support, or long-term security, our five unique personas are designed to guide and support every step of your financial path:
- Fortifi – Focused on long-term stability and financial protection.
- Simplifi – Banking made easy and stress-free.
- Flexifi – Financial solutions that adapt to life’s changes.
- Amplifi – Helping you grow your financial future.
- Gigifi – Supporting freelancers, side hustlers, and entrepreneurs.
Meghann LaFountain’s journey is a powerful reflection of both Fortifi and Gigifi—grounded in strong values and fueled by entrepreneurial drive. From being introduced to credit unions by her mother to becoming a member, then launching her own law firm, and ultimately joining the credit union’s board, Meghann’s story represents a full-circle moment. As an immigration attorney and small business owner, she brings a fresh and vital perspective to the board—helping shape Ellafi’s bold new vision of financial empowerment for women and everyone who supports them.
A Full-Circle Journey: From Credit Union Member to the Board
Meghann LaFountain's relationship with credit unions began before she opened an account at Seasons Federal Credit Union (now Ellafi). Her mother, a longtime state employee and member of its credit union, believed it was better than a typical bank.
She instilled this belief in me at a young age," says Meghann, who became a member in March 2011. "My mom always said that credit unions had better rates and better attention to the individual than a big conglomerate.
Rooted in Family Values
So when Meghann began managing her finances as a young adult living and working in Middletown, Connecticut, it felt natural to turn to a credit union. That's when she found Seasons Federal Credit Union (FCU) and became a member in March 2011.
Years after becoming a member, Meghann worked at a law firm where one of the partners, Bill Howard, who also served on the board at Seasons FCU, approached her with an idea. Seasons FCU wanted to expand its board and bring in fresh perspectives, and he believed Meghan would be a great fit.
"I had found Seasons on my own," she says. "Then, years later, someone at my job just happened to be on the board and thought I'd be a good addition. It all just pointed in the same direction."
The timing felt serendipitous. Meghann had just launched her law firm, LaFountain Immigration Law, LLC, in 2017, and by August 2018, she was part of the board.
A Different Kind of Expertise
As an immigration attorney, Meghann doesn't come from a traditional banking or finance background. But that's precisely the kind of outside perspective that was valuable.
"I'm not your typical board member with a background in banking," she explains. "But the board is great about explaining its goals and welcoming those coming in with a somewhat unconventional background."
Her fresh perspective was especially impactful when the board began exploring a bold rebrand and name change. With guidance from a research firm, the board identified a powerful opportunity: focus on empowering women financially.
Reimagining What a Credit Union Can Be
There was a sense that we wanted to do something bold to stand out even more from your average bank and credit union," she says. "Focusing on women would differentiate us well and fill a need of what is missing in this area.
Even in 2025, women still face financial inequities, Meghann notes. The board recognized real, ongoing issues: women retiring with less savings, losing income during childbearing years, or struggling as single mothers or after divorce.
"Even though progress has been made, there's still this gap," Meghann says. "We wanted to create a space where women feel empowered to ask financial questions and receive expert advice."
Ellafi offers that, whether through programs, planning tools, or just being a place where people feel heard, the company wants to equip women with the resources they need to thrive financially.
“But at the same time the goal is to be a place where everyone feels welcome and seen. And that hasn't changed," she notes.
From learning about credit unions through her mother to first joining Seasons to helping guide Ellafi as a board member, Meghann's journey is a full-circle moment rooted in values and vision.
Meghann L.
Ellafi Member
