The CUInsight Experience

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“You get this feeling that your job as a leader is to sink the long putt. But your job is to caddy.” – Kelly Botti

Welcome to episode 238 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jilly Nowacki, co-founder, president and CEO of Zealyst.

This episode is sponsored by Trellance. Trellance is a leading technology partner for credit unions, delivering innovative technology solutions to help credit unions achieve more. With a comprehensive suite of analytics, cloud and talent solutions, the Trellance team ensures credit unions increase efficiency, manage risk, and improve member experience. Learn more here!

In this 2026 season, Jilly and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too.

For this episode, we are so thrilled to welcome Kelly Botti - President and CEO of Trumark Credit Union! She joins us to talk about how leadership transitions rarely happen as cleanly as a new title or promotion suggests. We discuss the personal side of change—the uncomfortable stretch of time and growth between who we were and who we're becoming, and we unpack why the biggest leadership shifts often happen internally long before anyone else even notices them!

Listen in as Kelly reflects on stepping into executive leadership at a young age, the pressure to prove herself, and how chasing credibility sometimes pulled her away from authenticity. We talk about why experience and not just intelligence often shapes stronger leaders, how mentorship can fill the gaps that life hasn't yet provided, and why trying to have all the answers often acts as an obstacle to actual influence. The three of us share our own stories of early-career missteps, the lessons that we wish we had learned sooner, and how our perspectives have changed over time.

Our discussion also examines what leadership looks like once success is no longer measured by personal output, and we talk about creating the conditions for others to succeed, resisting the urge to solve every problem yourself, and continually bringing teams back to a shared mission instead of micromanaging. Kelly offers practical insights into creating a sense of alignment, leading experienced teams, and communicating a vision without controlling every decision.

We also spend some time on something leaders don't discuss nearly enough: the emotional work behind major transitions. From burnout and self-awareness to having trusted people in our life who are candid and honest, we explore what it really takes to stay grounded while carrying a lot of responsibility on our shoulders. We close by discussing why the best leaders aren't driven by ego but rather by purpose. If you're working through a major career change, growing into a new leadership role, or simply trying to become a more authentic leader, we think you'll find plenty to reflect on in this conversation with Kelly Botti!

Connect with Kelly:
Kelly Botti, President and CEO of TruMark Credit Union
trumark.com
Kelly: LinkedIn
TruMark Credit Union: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

Show notes from this episode:
Sponsor: Trellance
Place mentioned: Europe
Shout-out: Montana Credit Union
Place mentioned: Montana
Shout-out: Kelly’s sister
Shout-out: Kelly’s team
Place mentioned: Philadelphia, PA
Shout-out: Orange Theory Fitness
Shout-out: Kelly’s son
Shout-out: Kelly’s coach
Shout-out: Lokai
Place mentioned: Dead Sea
Place mentioned: Mount Everest
Shout-out: Harrison Assessments
Podcast episode mentioned: Despite Impossible - “Season 4 Episode 26: Jill Nowacki”
Shout-out: Peloton

Previous guests mentioned in this episode: Faye Nabhani (#233); Tansley Stearns (#228)

In This Episode:
[2:27] - How would Kelly define transition?
[4:13] - Authentic leadership requires inner peace rather than adapting to please others.
[7:29] - Kelly reflects on how building credibility as C.E.O. required patience, relationships, and less focus on proving herself.
[10:24] Hear how experienced mentors compensated for Kelly's limited life experience as a new C.E.O.

[12:05] - Jill illustrates how experience teaches leaders to prioritize meaningful issues over perfection.
[15:01] - Authentic leaders create conditions for others to solve problems instead of solving them personally.
[18:23] - Kelly reflects on her leadership which centers on aligning executives around mission, resources, and collaboration.
[21:28] - We joke about the nuances between being “real life” funny and “business” funny.
[22:42] - Role transitions often prioritize work over well-being until the personal cost is later realized.
[24:09] - Hear how burnout taught Kelly that emotional growth requires vulnerability, support, and self-reflection.
[27:35] - Others tend to notice burnout via changed behavior, even when leaders believe they conceal it.
[30:30] - It's very important for leaders to manage their energy because it shapes everyone around them.
[33:49] - Kelly's coach uses Lokai bracelets to illustrate balancing humility during success with hope during hardship.
[35:48] - Releasing past pain as motivation helped create steadier leadership and calmer team dynamics for Kelly.
[37:18] - Consistently being transparent and having a shared purpose build trust through major transitions.
[41:06] - Kelly and Jill talk about how leadership is a lifelong journey, not a destination requiring constant urgency or achievement.
[43:31] - Kelly believes that the best leaders are not egotistical.

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“My biggest goal is that the industry wins, thrives, and survives. You don't do that alone. That's a whole movement.” – April Clobes

Welcome to episode 237 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jilly Nowacki, co-founder, president and CEO of Zealyst.

In this new 2026 season, Jilly and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too.

For this episode, we welcome back April Clobes who was a previous guest in episode #73. April is the President and CEO of MSU Federal Credit Union, and she joins us today to talk about the importance of collaboration in the credit union space. Listen in as we discuss how she has grown the credit union from 100 to over 1,200 employees while keeping a strong focus on inclusion, shared ownership, and creating space for every team member to contribute. April shares how curiosity and “what if” thinking have affected everything from new member experiences to experimental concepts such as her organization’s kid-focused Money Lab.

We also explore what it takes to build trust across a fast-moving organization (and across an entire industry). April explains why showing up consistently, listening intently, and co-creating solutions can help speed up innovation far beyond what any single organization can achieve alone.

April also opens up about the reality of leadership being imperfect—including missed blind spots, the importance of feedback, and learning to slow down and bring others in earlier. We discuss shifting workplace expectations, where employees are increasingly comfortable asking “why” and challenging decisions and how that shift is reshaping leadership styles.

Finally, we talk about a more personal side of leadership and how networks of peers, mentors, and board relationships help counteract the loneliness that can sometimes come with executive roles. April leaves us with a clear invitation: collaboration isn’t just a strategy for growth, it’s a commitment to showing up for each other so the whole industry can do better together. We hope that you enjoy this insightful conversation with April Clobes!

Connect with April:
April Clobes, President and CEO of Michigan State University Federal Credit Union
msufcu.org
April: LinkedIn | april.clobes@msufcu.org
MSU Federal Credit Union: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

Show notes from this episode:
Sponsor: Trellance
Shout-out: CUES Directors Conference
Shout-out: Jack Henry
Shout-out: Scimitar
Shout-out: the lab at MSUFCU
Place mentioned: Lansing, Michigan
Shout-out: CUDX
Shout-out: Chase
Shout-out: Scott Simpson
Shout-out: Bank of America
Shout-out: Jilly's friend Brent
Book mentioned: Theory U: Leading from the Future as It Emerges by Otto Scharmer
Shout-out: Jilly's son Crosby

Previous guests mentioned in this episode: April Clobes (#73); Mark Zook (#230); Patty Corkery (#112 & #213); Tracie Kenyon (#12, CUInsight Network episode #64, & #209); Steph Sherrodd (#46); Linda Armyn (#178)

In This Episode:
[2:24] - April argues that collaboration strengthens outcomes by combining different perspectives and skills.
[3:32] - Hear how, as April's organization grew, intentional communication kept employees engaged and up to date.
[6:03] - A culture focused on mission helps inspire employees to improve members' lives while supporting one another's success.
[8:54] - Great leaders embrace feedback, admit imperfections, and continually course-correct alongside their teams.
[10:43] - Jilly asserts that employee resistance often reveals overlooked opportunities that strengthen ideas via collaboration.
[12:08] - Resetting with fresh perspectives can help uncover blind spots and turn setbacks into good outcomes.
[14:25] - Hear how industry trust grew via consistent contributions and a strong commitment to collective success.
[17:31] - April explains how strong vendor partnerships can lead to faster innovation as well as better collaboration and outcomes for members.
[20:20] - Curiosity sparks ideas, but collaborative teams then transform them into impactful innovations.
[21:48] - April asserts that greater industry collaboration and shared data could strengthen AI and better serve members collectively.
[24:49] - April believes that anonymous data sharing could strengthen industry success.
[27:31] - Hear how meaningful relationships and peer networks make collaboration, learning, and leadership more effective.
[30:17] - April believes that it's important for today's leaders to embrace inclusion, transparency, and employees who confidently ask "why."
[33:56] - Hear how AI reduces routine work, freeing employees to focus on higher-value thinking and innovation.
[36:06] - In closing, April adds that collaboration thrives when leaders openly share knowledge, resources, and support across the industry!

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Theory U: Leading from the Future as It Emerges

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“Moving forward, moving ahead, it doesn't diminish what came before. It honors it.” - Jilly NowackiWelcome to episode 236 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jilly Nowacki, co-founder, president and CEO of Zealyst.

For this episode, we talk about how, at some point, every leader faces a question that can be surprisingly difficult to answer: Is it time to move forward? This episode comes at such a perfect time, too, due to Jilly's recent launch of Zealyst, and we explore what happens when success, stability, and familiarity no longer feel fully aligned with who we've become. We also talk candidly about the signals that often appear long before a major change takes place such as loss of energy, impatience, growing friction, and the quiet realization that something new is calling us forward.

During our conversation, we are challenging the idea that moving on means that something failed; sometimes, a chapter ends because it accomplished exactly what it was meant to accomplish. We discuss why leaders often stay longer than they should, how fear of disappointing others can cloud decision-making, and why timing never seems quite right when you're standing on the edge of a meaningful change.

We also reflect on some stories from years of working with leaders who wrestled with questions about succession, retirement, career moves, and personal growth, and, together, we unpack the difference between pushing through a temporary rough patch and recognizing when you've outgrown a role or a version of yourself.

Perhaps most importantly, though, we talk about what becomes possible when you finally make the decision to move forward. From renewed energy and creativity to a deeper sense of purpose, some of the most meaningful opportunities only appear once you're willing to take the first step! Enjoy our conversation!

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

Show notes from this episode:
Sponsor: Trellance
Shout-out: Humanidei
Shout-out: Zealyst
Film mentioned: Jerry Maguire
Shout-out: Jill’s son Crosby
Book mentioned: The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick) by Seth Godin
Article mentioned: “Leaning into liminality” by Tracie Kenyon

Previous guests mentioned in this episode: Tracie Kenyon (#12, CUInsight Network episode #64, & #209) & Tansley Stearns (#36, #146, & #228)

In This Episode:
[1:44] - Jill announces her recent transition to Zealyst!
[4:19] - Hear how misalignment drains energy and makes even minor frustrations feel even more overwhelming.
[6:11] - Success sometimes makes it harder to recognize a need for change.
[9:13] - Growth sometimes requires difficult changes despite fears or past commitments.
[11:23] - Jill points out how leaders often move on after recognizing growth points beyond current roles.
[13:58] - Purpose remains constant, but ever changing circumstances may require a new path.
[17:31] - It's important for leaders to discern temporary challenges from dead ends to keep evolving.
[20:40] - Meaningful decisions often happen before clarity arrives, so trust yourself and move forward step by step.
[21:25] - Leaving liminal space enables presence, creativity, and momentum after uncertainty resolves.
[24:10] - When work no longer energizes you, change restores energy, enthusiasm, and contagious engagement!
[25:21] - Jill touches upon curiosity and how it can shift from what will happen to you toward what you will create.
[26:40] - We play a quick round of rapidfire questions.
[28:29] - We discuss how leadership honors the past by embracing growth and moving into new seasons.

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The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)

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“Remember to give your team time to shine.” – Samantha Beeler

Welcome to episode 235 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jilly Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

This week on the podcast, we welcome back Samantha Beeler, President of The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates. She returns to the podcast to discuss what it looks like to live and lead well at the same time. We talk about how success on paper can still feel hollow when it comes at the expense of presence, health, or the people we care about and how many leaders learn that achievement alone doesn’t hold up as a definition of a good life.

Listen in as we share how those lessons rarely arrive in one dramatic moment but instead build through seasons, habits, missteps, and small course corrections. From missed boundaries to rules about disconnecting, we reflect on what it means to step back from making efforts to be constantly available and challenge the idea that being always-on is a requirement for being effective. Listen as Samantha opens up about the real tradeoffs behind leadership decisions—including times when she pushed too hard, learned from it, and began relying more intentionally on boundaries and the people around her to keep her grounded.

Throughout our conversation, we return to the idea that leadership is shaped just as much by who surrounds us as by anything we accomplish on our own. Mentors, peers, teams, and even family members all play big roles in helping us see ourselves more clearly and adjust when we drift off course. We also discuss the pressure leaders often feel to be everywhere, know everything, and never miss an opportunity and how that mindset can quietly pull life out of alignment. We hope that you enjoy our insightful conversation with Samantha Beeler!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Connect with Samantha:

Samantha Beeler, President of The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates
the-league.coop
Samantha: LinkedIn

The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

Show notes from this episode:Sponsor: Trellance
Shout-out: Jilly's son Crosby
Shout-out: Paul Mercer
Shout-out: Troy Stang
Shout-out: Samantha’s father
Shout-out: Montana Credit Union
Shout-out: Samantha’s husband
Shout-out: Samantha’s kids
Shout-out: Samantha’s board member Chris
Shout-out: GAC
Place mentioned: Alabama
Place mentioned: Georgia
Place mentioned: Hartford, CT
Place mentioned: Las Vegas, NV
Shout-out: Alyssa Horwitz
Shout-out: Humanidei
Shout-out: Adam Grant
Previous guests mentioned in this episode: Samantha Beeler (#196); Caroline Willard (#20, #147, & #221); Patty Corkery (#112 & #213); Tracie Kenyon (#12, CUInsight Network episode #64, & #209); Robbie Young (#193 & CUInsight Network episode); & Greg Michlig (#156)

In This Episode:[2:32] - Samantha touches upon what living well means to her at this stage of her life.
[5:48] - Jilly points out that meaningful change develops gradually via habits that improve presence and reduce work attachment.
[7:29] - Samantha argues that mentors and lived experiences help shape leadership growth more than titles or roles do.
[10:12] - Hear how past imbalance taught Samantha that success requires boundaries, rest, and sustainable work habits.
[13:00] - Samantha points out how modern work culture normalizes unsustainable pace, prompting her to question its necessity.
[16:07] - External accountability helps Samantha recognize when she is overworking and maintain healthier boundaries.
[19:38] - Samantha believes that leadership requires creating space for others.
[22:01] - Jilly and Randy talk about how frequent conferences shape credit union culture, sometimes limiting time for meaningful local collaboration.
[23:38] - Jilly points out how reframing leadership as creating opportunities for others helps transform FOMO into more purposeful delegation.
[25:26] - Hear how life is seasonal integration rather than a fragile balance, and stepping back rarely causes disaster.
[28:36] - Samantha agrees that viewing life in seasons can reveal shifting priorities where being present is more important than constant work urgency.
[31:01] - Jilly and Samantha agree upon the importance of radical transparency.
[33:53] - Team support helps Samantha protect boundaries and reminds her that leadership is a long-term commitment.
[36:05] - Samantha asserts that authentic leadership requires vulnerability, shared leadership, and leaders who help develop other leaders.
[37:26] - Jilly and Samantha discuss how emerging leaders show strong potent

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“Our values are also meant to be adjectives.” – Brent Rempe

Welcome to episode 234 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

In this new 2026 season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too.

This week on the podcast, we are happy to welcome back Brent W. Rempe, President and CEO of First Alliance Credit Union. He joins us to discuss the importance of having and modeling values as a leader. Together, we talk about how values are often easy to name but much harder to put into operation, especially when leaders are faced with difficult decisions such as having to have accountability conversations, enact organizational change, and/or balance mission with financial realities.

Listen in as Brent shares how his own values were shaped through early life experiences, Catholic social teaching, and years in the credit union movement, and how those influences continue to guide his leadership today as something that must be actively put into practice rather than just documented and/or stated. We also reflect on how values show up in real organizational work—how they are tested in moments of conflict, how they can be clarified via simple grounding questions, and how important it is to separate technical mistakes from deeper values misalignment.

Throughout our conversation, we also challenge the idea that values belong solely on a wall or in a strategic plan and instead explore how they become real via consistent behavior, honest reflection, and accountability at every level of leadership—with Brent also walking us through how First Alliance redefined its mission, vision, and values via a collaborative, employee-driven process.

Later, we talk about the very real tension between mission and margin, the importance of keeping things simple enough to remember, and why service must be more than a slogan if it’s going to be at all meaningful. By the end of our conversation, we land on a shared truth: values are not what an organization claims but are what it does when no one is watching and when decisions get hard. Enjoy our conversation with Brent Rempe!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Connect with Brent:Brent W. Rempe, C.E.O. & President of First Alliance Credit Union
firstalliancecu.com
Brent: LinkedIn
First Alliance Credit Union: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

Show notes from this episode:
Sponsor: Trellance
TV series mentioned: The Lion Guard
Article mentioned: Harvard Business Review - “Building Your Company’s Vision”
Book mentioned: Good to Great by Jim Collins
Shout-out: Jerry I. Porras
Shout-out: Sam Plester
Shout-out: Mission Brands Consulting
Shout-out: Kristina Kovacevic
Shout-out: Callahan & Associates
Book mentioned: CEO Excellence by Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller, & Vikram Malhotra
Shout-out: McKinsey & Company
Shout-out: WEOKIE Federal Credit Union
Book mentioned: Callahan’s Strategic Growth Framework by Jon Jeffreys

Previous guests mentioned in this episode: Brent Rempe (#182); Oscar Porras (#23 & CUInsight Network episode)

In This Episode:
[2:30] - Brent reflects on how his values have been shaped by his mother’s servant leadership, resilience, and community commitment.
[4:32] - Formative experiences in Catholic social teaching and cooperative principles also guide how Brent applies his values as C.E.O.
[6:46] - Brent believes that difficult offboarding decisions require balancing values and accountability despite personal emotional strain.
[8:07] - Hear how, when challenges arise, Brent focuses on collective outcomes and addressing problems directly.
[9:32] - Jill argues that alignment creates clarity, peace, and better self-awareness.
[12:57] - Brent asserts that leadership is action demonstrated via accountability, humility, and choosing others’ interests over your own.
[16:28] - Jill argues that values only count when actually put into action and not just on paper.
[18:16] - Collaborative, staff-driven renewal of values strengthens alignment with purpose and direction.
[21:16] - Simple, employee-created values can build ownership, alignment, and stronger organizational performance.
[23:25] - Hear how having too many values can actually do more harm than good.
[25:07] - Brent agrees and adds that values must be few, memorable, and clearly structured so that employees can consistently recall and apply them.
[27:04] - Brent treats people with grace and multiple chances but also has to make hard decisions when growth stops.
[31:04] - It's important for community service to prioritize underserved members and not just meet basic expectations or performance metrics.
[34:52] - Hear how Brent has aligned leadership evaluation with mission-driven excellence.
[37:56] - Discover how Jill models consistency.
[40:01] - Brent regards C.E.O. leadership as constantly reinforcing values while encouraging progress and connection and avoiding complacency.
[41:47] - Brent and Jill believe that authenticity, consistency, and passion are components of great leadership.
[42:19] - Brent reveals that routinely spending time with his son helps him stay grounded.

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Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't

CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets That Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest

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“Investment in people is literally a business strategy. We win when our people win.” – Faye Nabhani

Welcome to episode 233 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jilly Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

This week on the podcast, we return to a simple but far too often overlooked truth: leadership is not about staying in the spotlight but is rather about building space so that other people can step forward and shine. We explore how legacy isn’t really what we accomplish alone, but who we help develop along the way, and joining us to help us tackle this discussion is Faye Nabhani, CEO of SAFE Credit Union, whose work is often defined by a culture rooted in trust, growth, and people-first leadership!

We talk with Faye about what it actually feels like to develop people in practice, and she shares the joy of watching someone realize that they are capable of more than they believed—those moments when confidence finally clicks because someone took a chance on them! We also discuss the distinction between mentorship and sponsorship, and how powerful it is when someone opens doors for you before you even know you’re ready to walk through them.

Faye reflects on opportunities that place leaders into unfamiliar, high-responsibility roles and how those experiences can truly help reshape confidence and capability. We also talk about how to recognize emerging leaders without trying to force development.

Listen in as we also explore what it means when the people in whom you invest eventually move on and how strong leadership cultures create alumni who carry that experience forward and reflect it back into the world! We open up about the shift into senior leadership: learning to let go of control, focus on fewer priorities, and accept that authority doesn’t translate into day-to-day execution, and Faye shares how unlearning the urge to do everything has been just as important as learning how to lead.

We finally close on what it feels like to see someone you’ve supported succeed and offer up the reminder that helping others shine often means stepping back just enough to let them. Enjoy our conversation with Faye Nabhani!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
Connect with Faye:Faye Nabhani, CEO & President of SAFE Credit Union
safecu.org
Faye: LinkedIn
SAFE Credit Union: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

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“You have to lead through your people.” – Ken Cahoon

Welcome to episode 232 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jilly Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

Listen in as we talk all about having a daily rhythm with Kenyahda Cahoon, CEO of Signal Financial Federal Credit Union. We reflect on how our own days are structured around intention rather than reaction, from early morning routines and workouts to time specifically set aside for coaching, strategy, and reflection, and we talk about how those choices shape the way we show up for our teams. Ken walks us through how his week at Signal Financial is carefully crafted, with Mondays centered on one-on-ones with his team (which is non-negotiable for him), midweek focused on execution and external relationships, and Fridays reserved for stepping back into visionary thinking and reviewing the week with a “watch the tape” mindset.

We also openly discuss what tends to pull leaders out of rhythm in the first place—getting buried in emails, mistaking busyness for impact, or slipping into the comfort of doing work that feels more immediately gratifying. All three of us challenge that instinct and explore what it looks like to consistently operate at your highest value instead of defaulting to what feels urgent or familiar. Ken shares how he had to reset his approach when moving into a new organization, learning to protect time for strategy and leadership rather than letting the calendar run the show.

Throughout our conversation, we ultimately land on the fact that leadership rhythm is not something that you perfect once and keep forever. It’s something you constantly notice, adjust, and recommit to by getting clear on your role, protecting the work only you can do, and staying honest about what’s moving the organization forward. We hope that you enjoy our conversation with Ken Cahoon!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
Connect with Ken:
Kenyahda Cahoon, CEO of Signal Financial Federal Credit Union
signalfinancialfcu.org
Ken: LinkedIn
Signal Financial Federal Credit Union: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

Sponsor: Trellance

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“Our primary avenue of communication is creating moments.” – Liz Ponder Welcome to episode 231 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

This episode is sponsored by Trellance Cooperative Holdings, Inc. Trellance is the parent company behind some of the most trusted credit union tech providers, such as Rise Analytics, ProBridge and Optiri. By providing tech to credit unions and investing in new solutions, Trellance aims to create growth opportunities for the entire industry and to empower credit unions to embrace innovative new technology. Learn more at Trellance.com

This week on the show, we welcome Liz Ponder, CEO of SRP Federal Credit Union. Liz is here to help us explore a concept which we firmly believe that every leader needs: a personal leadership compass. Listen in as Liz walks us through how she’s defined her own guiding principles and how those values shape the way she leads. She highlights why things like clarity, purpose, and empathy are not just meaningless buzzwords but tools to help her team understand their roles, see the impact of their work, and feel truly connected to the credit union’s mission.

We dig into how leadership isn’t about moving fast or accumulating accolades but is about bringing people along, with Liz reflecting on how her listening skills, shaped early by her mother’s hearing impairment, helped her evolve into a leader who communicates intentionality and empathetically. We also get into how Liz works to intentionally build psychological safety, encouraging her team to speak up and share ideas without consequence. She also fosters a culture where transparency and collaboration drive real impact, not just numbers on a report.

We also talk about the powerful role of language, mentorship, and modeling values in leadership, with Liz reflecting on lessons learned from her early career and how she has empowered others to find their voice. She also advises on how to guide people toward roles that align with their strengths and purpose and stresses the fact that leadership is ultimately not about a title. Liz firmly believes that anyone can lead from the position that they are in, even if it's a more junior position.

Toward the end of the episode, we get a little more personal as we hear more about how Liz’s childhood shaped her leadership style, and she shares her next steps for the future, including an ambitious program to build up the next generation of female leaders!

Liz truly blends humility with vision, staying grounded while building an organization that thrives because people feel valued, heard, and empowered. This episode is packed with practical insights and stories from the front lines of leadership and it's truly one you are going to love!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Connect with Liz:
Liz Ponder, CEO of SRP Federal Credit Union
srpfcu.org
SRP Federal Credit Union: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram |

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“Getting it right means getting the right people, balance, structure, and authority—and everyone loving what they’re doing.” – Mark Zook

Welcome to episode 230 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jilly Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

This episode is sponsored by Alacriti, a leading payments fintech helping credit unions modernize money movement. Alacriti enables real-time money movement experiences for loan payments, A2A transfers, digital disbursements, and bill pay. Through a single cloud-native platform that connects to RTP, FedNow, Fedwire, ACH, Visa Direct, and Zelle, credit unions can progressively modernize without overhauling legacy systems. Learn more at alacriti.com!

Join us for this episode as we welcome Mark Zook, President and CEO of Maps Credit Union. He joins us to discuss something that many leaders experience but rarely say out loud: the fact that real growth often begins after you become the CEO. Mark stepped into the CEO role internally and has continued to evolve as a leader via years of work both inside his organization and across the credit union movement!

Listen in as Mark shares what it was like moving into the CEO seat after seventeen years at Maps, believing himself to be prepared only to quickly realize how wrong that he had been. His first months in the role happened during the chaos of the Great Recession, which forced him and his newly assembled executive team to come together quickly, make difficult decisions, and build resilience in real time—all early challenges which shaped how he approaches leadership today!

We also spend some time talking about one of the biggest transitions leaders face: shifting from being the person who gets things done to the person who empowers others to do the work. Mark reflects on how his “builder” mindset had to evolve once he became CEO. Instead of being the one executing, he instead had to learn how to listen, support, and guide the people around him.

Throughout our conversation, we also touch upon the role that mentors play in leadership growth, with Mark reflecting on the major influence that former Maps CEO Dan Penn had on him, having pushed him into opportunities long before he felt ready. That spirit of curiosity and experimentation has shaped a lot of Maps' culture—from launching organizations that benefit the industry and even to entering newly emerging areas such as cannabis banking. We also talk about the value of iteration in leadership and how ideas rarely start fully formed. Hear how many of the initiatives that began as small experiments at Maps have grown into major organizations serving credit unions nationwide.

Along the way, Mark shares lessons about risk, resilience, and the importance of building strong teams. If you have ever wondered what leadership growth looks like after the promotion, our conversation with Mark Zook offers an honest and thoughtful perspective!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Connect with Mark:Mark Zook, President/CEO of Maps Credit Union

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“Creating space isn't accidental, but an actual decision that must be made every day.” - Jilly Nowacki

Welcome to episode 229 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jilly Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

Join us for this episode as we discuss something that is seemingly simple but surprisingly difficult for leaders to do: creating space—space for the work that actually matters, space for the people who matter most, and space to think without your calendar screaming at you! Between emails, notifications, and endless meetings, it’s so easy to let the urgent take control over what's truly important, and we’re sharing how we intentionally carve out the time, energy, and focus to prevent that from happening.

Tune in as we discuss why leadership isn’t just about doing more but is also about choosing what to give your attention to. Jilly shares why protecting your energy matters just as much as protecting your time, and we explore how easy it is to let the squeaky wheel hijack your focus. We talk about strategies like the urgent-important matrix and service level agreements, but also the subtler art of saying “no” without feeling guilty. Learning to resist comparison and focusing on your organization’s mission instead of someone else’s success can make a bigger difference than people realize.

We also talk about the seasons of life and work, and how priorities shift over time. We reflect on moving from constant networking to more meaningful conversations, and we share how integrating personal and professional life helps with alignment and with what matters most! We also both share how we try to honor our natural rhythms, protect uninterrupted time for reflection, and avoid letting the “urgent” distract from the work that has the most impact.

By the end of this episode, expect to hear how intentional space—not just busy schedules or productivity hacks—creates clarity, energy, and better decisions! We are sharing honest experiences, practical habits, and a few birthday weekend laughs along the way!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

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“As women, we have a lot of work to do—and that work is something we have to continue to be impatient about.” – Tansley Stearns

Welcome to episode 228 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jilly Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

Join us for this episode as we welcome Tansley Stearns back to the show. Tansley is the President & CEO of orsa credit union, and she helps challenge us to think about leadership from the inside out, sharing a candid conversation about what it actually takes to become the kind of leader you’re proud to be, not just the one who looks impressive on paper.

We talk with Tansley about a defining moment during COVID that reshaped how she thinks about people, trust, and growth and how, from that experience, came her powerful framework of “cushions and wings,” or the idea that leaders must first create safety, care, and trust before asking people to stretch, innovate, and take risks. Without the cushion, the wings can do real harm. That idea really sets the tone for our discussion on authenticity, emotional honesty, and the responsibility that leaders carry when people are watching everything that they do.

Tansley shares what it’s meant for her life and journey as a leader to let go of people-pleasing, borrowed identities, and the masks she once wore to fit into rooms that didn’t always feel like home. We explore how embracing who she truly is—laughter, emotions, bold dreams, and all—has made her a more effective and trusted leader, and she also opens up about her uncompromising standards: no “brilliant jerks,” no behavior that harms people, and no shrinking herself to make others feel more comfortable.

We also reflect on the mentors who have shaped us, the feedback that changed us, and the responsibility that we now have to show up for the next generation of leaders. We talk about values, joy, growth, and why leadership is ultimately about people, not metrics. This episode is for anyone who’s questioning who they’re becoming at work, who feels the weight of trying to belong, or who wants to lead with courage, care, and clarity, with Tansley reminding us that authenticity isn’t a destination but a practice! Enjoy our conversation with Tansley Stearns!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Connect with Tansley:
Tansley Stearns, President & CEO of orsa credit union
orsacu.org
Tansley: LinkedIn
orsa credit union: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok |

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“Don’t lose that zeal and passion, but don’t trade on the cheapest human emotions—fear and contempt.” – Scott Simpson

Welcome to episode 227 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jilly Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

For this episode, we are joined by Scott Simpson, President/CEO of America’s Credit Unions. Listen in this episode as we step away from job titles and LinkedIn headlines to talk about the moments that shape a career—the quiet hinge points, the unexpected invitations, and the decisions that feel terrifying in real time but obvious in hindsight. We talk with Scott about the “green light” moments that changed everything: being pulled into politics by a friend, stepping into the middle of a high-stakes bank–credit union fight, and then finally receiving one of the most surprising career taps imaginable—being told to apply for a CEO role he never expected to be offered! What followed wasn’t just a promotion but a defining lesson in humility, courage, and emotional discipline.

One of the most powerful parts of our conversation with Scott is the story that he shares about the leader he unintentionally jumped over and the grace that man showed in response. That choice, Scott tells us, didn’t just transform a working relationship; it reshaped his entire career, and we reflect on what it means to name the elephant in the room, ask “Are we okay?” after hard decisions, and lead from empathy rather than ego.

Scott also opens up about balancing youthful confidence with seasoned wisdom, resisting the pull toward fear or contempt, and learning to keep “motoring” even when the road ahead feels unclear. From Utah to California to Washington, D.C., his journey shows how small rooms and overlooked moments can ripple across an entire industry, so, for anyone feeling impatient, stuck, or hungry for what’s next, this episode offers something more meaningful than a career checklist. It’s a reminder that growth doesn’t come from chasing status but rather from executing where you stand, lifting your part of the piano, and trusting that the road will bend when it’s time! Enjoy our conversation with Scott Simpson!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
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Connect with James:Scott Simpson, President/CEO of America’s Credit Unions
americascreditunions.org
Scott: LinkedIn<

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“When someone joins an organization, you're not just buying into the work; you're buying into the leader too.” - Jilly Nowacki

Welcome to episode 225 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jilly Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

Following up on the first episode of the new 2026 season, we reflect on what leadership really looks like when you’re living it and not just reading about it. Early on for both of us, building something from nothing made every decision very personal. People weren’t just joining a company; they were trusting in us and the vision that we brought, and Jilly shares her own experience founding Humanidei and leading leagues, and we both explore the idea that when you hire someone, they’re buying into more than just the work; they’re buying into you as a leader and the philosophy that you bring. That alignment, we have found, can make all the difference in long-term growth and culture.

We talk about the joy and the challenge of watching people grow. From employees stepping into new roles, achieving personal milestones, or moving on to other leadership positions, seeing that impact has been one of the most rewarding parts of our careers, yet it’s easy to overlook these moments in the day-to-day hustle, and we explore why it’s so important to recognize and nurture those “rock stars” and high-potential performers while gracefully letting go of those who unfortunately are not fully invested.

We also dive into the weight of leadership, the balance between people and numbers, and how survival phases can make it especially difficult to hold onto joy. Both of us share personal lessons about the seasons of leadership and how knowing where to contribute at your highest value and building meaningful relationships inside and outside the organization can sustain inspiration over the long haul.

By the end of our discussion, we land on one key truth: leadership isn’t measured by metrics alone. It’s measured by the people whose lives you have touched and the culture that you have fostered. We encourage leaders, whether you’re a year into the role or decades in, to pause and ask yourself: who has grown because of your leadership? For us, that reflection is often the most rewarding part - and the part that makes us smile!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

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“Purpose makes leadership feel worth it.” - Randy Smith

Welcome to episode 225 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

We open this season with a clear intention: leadership that feels meaningful, sustainable, and human, and we are much less focused on fixing what’s broken and more on naming what helps leaders feel grounded, energized, and aligned with why they do the work in the first place.

Purpose is ultimately the throughline, and Jill shares why it continues to matter so deeply to her, not just as a concept but as something that directly shapes well-being, motivation, and joy at work. From leadership teams to individuals feeling stuck, burned out, or in transition, she reflects on how a lack of purpose shows up in mental health, engagement, and fulfillment, with the question not being just how leaders define purpose for themselves but also how they help their teams understand the value of what they contribute every day.

We also add another lens: purpose as the difference between motion and direction; running fast doesn’t help if you’re headed the wrong way. Together, we explore what it looks like to slow down just enough to make sure that the work is worth doing—especially after years marked by urgency, disruption, and constant change. Our conversation also touches on what leaders are grappling with right now. While AI and technology continue to evolve, Jill observes a noticeable shift as 2026 begins: less panic, more curiosity, and a renewed focus on staying human-centered while using new tools appropriately.

You will also get a preview of what’s ahead this season, including conversations about career-defining moments, celebrating wins, building legacy, staying grounded, and finding joy in watching others succeed. Thanks for tuning in, and we hope that you enjoy this first episode of a new season of the show!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List
Previous guest mentioned in this episode: Tracie Kenyon (episodes 12 & 209)

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“You have people that listen, then you have people that are waiting to talk.” – Fred Robinson Welcome to episode 224 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

This episode is sponsored by The Sheeter Group - a leading executive benefits firm that meets your retention and succession needs. This includes non-qualified benefit plans, short and long-term incentive plans, compensation studies, scorecard design, performance evaluation, and more. Learn more at sheetergroup.com.

In this season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too.

For this season finale, we welcome Fred Robinson, President/CEO at Tennessee Credit Union League. Fred has spent 42 years in the credit union business, and so many of his stories return to the simple idea that people remember people, not titles, not logos, and not institutions. Fred traces it through the mentors who shaped him, reminding us why it matters now more than it ever has.

We dig into the real substance behind connection—the lived version built via trust, consistency, and showing up long enough for people to recognize that you actually mean what you say. Fred discusses the leaders who taught him that this work can become a calling and that your reputation can be shaped via one conversation, one promise kept, and one honest phone call at a time. He also shares the advice he gives younger professionals today, reminding us that growth isn’t always about chasing the next big thing but is sometimes about sticking with the work long enough to develop roots.

Jill also brings in her perspective on our industry and how moving on isn’t the problem but that torching relationships on the way out definitely is. We share stories about how those long-term bonds are important even decades later and why someone new to the movement might feel overwhelmed walking into a room where everyone seems to know everyone. Fred makes a strong case that it’s our responsibility to bring newcomers in and show them connection.

We also get into how connection works in a world that’s both very digital and still deeply human. We discuss why a phone call can have a bigger impact than an email, why physical presence still matters, and how meeting people at their own comfort level (whether that be face-to-face or via a screen) keeps relationships real and grounded. Enjoy our conversation with Fred Robinson!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
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Connect with Fred:Fred Robinson, President/CEO at Tennessee Credit Union League
yourleague.org
Fred: LinkedIn
Tennessee Credit Union League: LinkedIn |

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“Leaders who intentionally practice gratitude create strong cultures, deeper connections, and more resilient teams.” – Randy SmithWelcome to episode 223 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

For this episode, we are discussing the power of gratitude. Gratitude is a powerful leadership strategy that can have a huge impact on company culture, employee engagement, and team resilience, and we explore why gratitude matters so much for leaders as well as how to effectively foster it.

Gratitude tends to fuel positive culture, strengthen relationships, and encourage people to bring their best selves to work. When challenges come up, gratitude helps teams bounce back better by making people feel seen, valued, and appreciated for their contributions, and it also builds trust and a sense of meaning, showing employees that they are not just "cogs in the wheel" but part of something more important.

Expressing gratitude should be tied to specific impacts and outcomes, not just broad acknowledgments, and we caution against waiting for big events or milestones to show appreciation. We talk about some of the common barriers that prevent leaders from practicing gratitude more consistently, such as feeling like you are too busy or feeling worried that it will make the team complacent. We recommend building gratitude into daily routines and rituals such as starting meetings with a round of appreciation or having a weekly "gratitude moment" on team chats!

We share some personal stories of how gratitude has shaped our own leadership journeys, helping us stay grounded and focused on what really matters in the end. Leaders at the top may receive less day-to-day gratitude, making it even more important for them to model the behavior. Gratitude is a simple but profound leadership practice. When used intentionally, it can transform company culture, deepen connections, and empower teams to achieve truly remarkable things together! We hope that you enjoy our conversation!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

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“Alignment doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built through clarity.” – Jill Nowacki

Welcome to episode 222 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

In this episode, we are talking all about the importance of alignment, the connection between what an organization claims that it values and what it actually does. We discuss how alignment shows up most clearly in leadership and how, when leaders' words and actions are misaligned, it can create confusion, distrust, and a lack of energy on a team.

Jill notes that true alignment is when "what we say and what we do match up” and gives examples of how misalignment can manifest in an organization. We examine what can cause leaders and organizations to fall out of alignment in the first place, identifying as a key factor. When leaders get excited about new opportunities, they can move too quickly without bringing the team along. Leaders under distress might also make hasty decisions aimed at pleasing rather than staying true to their values.

We also discuss how restoring alignment requires self-reflection—to understand how the misalignment occurred to begin with. Jill highlights the importance of being transparent and admitting mistakes—and recommitting to the organization's core purpose and values. We also stress the importance of defining and reinforcing the "why" behind your organization's goals. We advise leaders to trust their gut when something feels off and to dig deeper to uncover the root cause.

Ultimately, our discussion emphasizes the fact that alignment is not something that happens by accident—but is something that requires ongoing effort, self-awareness, and a persistent focus on ensuring that words and actions are in sync at both the individual and organizational level. Enjoy our conversation on alignment!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

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“Failure’s mistakes teach us so much more than our successes ever do.” – Caroline Willard

Welcome to episode 221 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

In this episode, we have Caroline Willard returning to the podcast. Caroline is the President and CEO of Cornerstone League, and she joins us for this episode to discuss the importance of embracing curiosity as a leader. Curiosity is an essential leadership trait that pushes us out of familiar thinking and opens new worlds of possibility, but it also goes hand-in-hand with vulnerability, showing that leaders don't have all the answers and are open to and welcoming of new ideas.

Curious leaders are constantly learning, reading across diverse genres, and are fascinated by the creative processes of others—whether business leaders or rock stars. However, as we discuss, it does not always come naturally. After all, doing things by rote is easier, and leaders may fear failure.

We also talk about the tendency to get comfortable with the status quo, even if new tools or technologies could drive greater efficiency, and we discuss how curiosity requires vulnerability, resilience in the face of challenges and setbacks, and a willingness to pause and reflect to truly understand the root causes behind said challenges.

Curiosity is ultimately a choice and a practice and is truly one of the simplest ways for leaders to model openness, adaptability, and creative problem-solving for their teams. By remaining curious, leaders can uncover new possibilities, make better-informed decisions, and lead their teams to greater success! We hope that you enjoy our conversation with Caroline Willard!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Connect with Caroline:Caroline Willard, President & CEO of Cornerstone League
cornerstoneleague.coop
Caroline: LinkedIn | CUNA
Cornerstone League: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

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“If you have a fear of failure, you won't launch.” - Brad Bergmooser

Welcome to episode 220 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

In this episode, we welcome Brad Bergmooser, CEO of Financial Plus Credit Union in Michigan. He joins us to discuss one of the most important aspects of being an effective leader—adaptability. Adaptability is shown to be crucial not just for leaders, but for entire organizations, and we explore how credit unions need to be "fast followers" to keep up with demands for instant, personalized service. Clinging to the "way we've always done it" is a recipe for getting left behind!

Listen as Brad shares how he has embraced change and disruption to create an exciting, fast-paced environment that attracts top talent to the credit union industry. We dig into the difference between reacting to change vs. proactively adapting to it, and Brad provides examples of how he has developed adaptable leaders on his team by giving them assignments outside of their comfort zones, ultimately building their "muscle memory" for taking on uncertainty.

We also discuss the challenges of leading teams through rapid change and how some leaders struggle with the loss of control that can sometimes come with the territory of being adaptable, and Brad highlights the importance of surrounding yourself with experts who can fill the gaps in your own knowledge, rather than trying to be the all-knowing CEO.

We ultimately offer some insights for aspiring leaders into how to foster adaptability in themselves and in their teams, with key traits including embracing failure as a learning opportunity, maintaining confidence while also being vulnerable, and constantly putting yourself in uncomfortable situations to build that crucial adaptability muscle! Enjoy our conversation with Brad Bergmooser!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Connect with Brad:Brad Bergmooser, CEO of Financial Plus Credit Union - Michigan
myfpcu.com
Brad: LinkedIn
Financial Plus Credit Union: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

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“The Type 2 Fun is where all the stories come from.” – Randy Smith

This episode is sponsored by The Sheeter Group, a leading executive benefits firm that meets your retention and succession needs. This includes non-qualified benefit plans, short and long-term incentive plans, compensation studies, scorecard design, performance evaluation, and more. Learn more at sheetergroup.com.

In this episode, we are talking about Type 2 Fun—experiences which feel miserable in the moment but become cherished memories later on—and we share some personal stories that, while difficult at the time, ultimately led to growth and incredibly meaningful connections!

We explore why discomfort is necessary for personal and professional development—without facing challenges and pushing past our comfort zones, we can't build the necessary resilience to take on challenges in the future. We highlight the importance of leaders normalizing discomfort in the workplace and celebrating the accomplishments that come from it, ultimately supporting their teams through the difficult moments.

Our conversation also touches upon building a culture that embraces growth via challenges. We discuss strategies for hiring and retaining team members who are willing to step outside their comfort zones, as well as the pitfalls of trying to create an environment of constant "Type 1 Fun." We ultimately come to the conclusion that the stories and memories we cherish most often come from those Type 2 Fun experiences—the ones that push us to our limits but leave us stronger and more connected on the other side.

We encourage you to reflect on your own Type 2 Fun moments, recognize the value in the discomfort, and build teams and organizations that can navigate those growth-inducing challenges together. We hope that you enjoy our conversation!

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“People feel like they belong when they know their contribution matters.” – Jill Nowacki Welcome to episode 218 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

In this episode, we are talking about belonging! Belonging is more than just inclusion; it's the culture that allows people to show up fully, share ideas without hesitation, and thrive as themselves, and in this conversation, we discuss why belonging is so important for teams and organizations and the barriers that can get in the way

We look at how leaders can spot the signs that someone on their team isn't feeling a sense of belonging, and how subtle things can inadvertently make people feel excluded. We also highlight the value of listening to understand, not just to respond, and revisiting ideas that may have been overlooked in the moment. Admitting mistakes and making efforts to make things right can strengthen a sense of belonging!

We suggest that belonging is essential for unlocking the full potential of teams and driving better business results! We hope that you enjoy our conversation on belonging!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

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“When we have presence, it creates space for trust, clarity, and a real, true connection.” - Jill Nowacki

Welcome to episode 217 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

In this episode, we discuss all things presence and the importance of being present as a leader. Presence is the ability to truly show up mentally, emotionally, and energetically for your team and organization, and it’s something that all leaders struggle with at one point in time or another, ourselves included. We discuss how a leader’s presence shapes the team—without it, distractions, rushed decisions, and confusion take hold, but with it, trust, clarity, and connection flourish.

We also highlight the need for leaders to be intentional about creating space in their schedules, setting boundaries, and resisting the impulse to jump between tasks or immediately respond to messages. Listen as we share some personal stories and insights around the struggle to disconnect, stay focused, and resist the urge to constantly check devices.

We ultimately conclude that while presence may be one of the most overlooked leadership skills, it is also one of the most impactful, and by committing to regular practice and creating the conditions to truly show up and be present, leaders can unlock new levels of focus, connection, and effectiveness for themselves, their teams, and their organizations! We hope that you enjoy our conversation on presence!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
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Audiobook mentioned: An Everyone Culture: Becoming a Deliberately Developmental Organization by Robert Kegan, Lisa Laskow, et al.

Previous guests mentioned: Leo Ardine (episodes 21 & 150)

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“Sometimes there are monumental changes, but other times it’s what can you do today to get one step closer?" - Randy Smith Welcome to episode 216 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

In this episode, Jill and I talk about all things pivoting - when you realize the path that you're on isn't the one you need to stay on. It can be a strategic shift, a leadership adjustment, or even a whole new direction. The need to pivot can come from burnout, boredom, or external factors such as failing to meet success metrics. We discuss how internal signs such as lack of creativity or excitement for the work can also indicate that it's time for a change.

Pivoting can be really difficult, as it requires overcoming our natural human desire for stability, and Jill and I discuss how leaders have the added challenge of bringing their teams along through the transition. We remind you that being transparent about the reasons behind the pivot, the expected outcomes and potential challenges, and inviting input from your team can all help ease the process for everyone. Celebrating milestones and small wins along the way is also important to maintain morale.

We also highlight how pivots don't have to be monumental shifts; sometimes, it's the "two degree" changes that open up new opportunities. The key, though, is being attuned to all of the signals that are trying to tell you that it's time to make a move, so whether in your career, your organization, or your personal life, the ability to recognize when it's time to pivot can be one of the healthiest and most impactful decisions that you make. The path forward may not be certain, but the alternative of staying stuck is often so much worse!

We hope that this episode offers you some great insight! As always, feel free to reach out to us and share your thoughts! We would love to hear from you!

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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

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“No matter how much success you achieve, you won’t feel like you’re enough if you aren’t fulfilled in the success you have.” – Jill NowackiWelcome to episode 215 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

In this episode, we are doing something a little bit out of the ordinary because we don’t have a guest - it’s just the two of us, but this is an incredibly important topic that will probably ring familiar to many of you. What does it mean to redefine success on our own terms and be enough? We discuss how our definitions of success have changed over time, moving away from external measures like titles, growth, and numbers and instead focusing on internal fulfillment and joy.

We share how comparison can be the "thief of joy” and highlight the importance of self-reflection to truly understand what success means to you as an individual. We provide some insights into tools such as the "Wheel of Life" which can help leaders assess different areas of their lives and identify where they may feel a sense of imbalance or lack of fulfillment.

Beyond the resume, we also highlight unique "off the resume" wins that speak to our values and the way we choose to lead our lives, discussing what it looks like to lead from a place of "enough" - recognizing that there actually is no one-size-fits-all definition of success and that true resilience and growth come from a place of self-acceptance as well as self-improvement!

We hope that this episode offers you some practical tips, such as identifying personal rituals that help ground and center you when you're feeling off-balance. As always, feel free to reach out to us and share your thoughts! We would love to hear from you!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List
Previous episode mentioned: #4

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“It’s not about you—and if you remember that, you’re making it about the people you serve.” – John Bratsakis

Welcome to episode 214 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

In this episode, we are joined by John Bratsakis, President & CEO of Maryland & DC Credit Union Association. We explore the power of vulnerability, uncertainty, and imperfection as essential parts of leadership that really need to be embraced, not avoided. John shares how he has dealt with leading through challenging times by leaning into his humanity.

Listen as John reflects on pivotal moments in his career when he had to admit that didn't know what to do and how that helped open the door to more authentic, collaborative leadership. He shares how a tragic loss on his team taught him the importance of leading with compassion and how navigating a tough time in history with his staff required embracing vulnerability as well as a willingness to accept the fact that they did not have all the answers.

As we discuss, this shift from trying to be the perfect, all-knowing leader to embracing one's own humanity is a journey which many of us face. We also reflect on our own experiences with leaders who modeled authenticity as opposed to those who tried to project an image of perfection.

Ultimately, the key takeaway is that true leadership is not about having all the answers but is rather about creating a safe space for collaboration, learning, and growth—even (or especially) when we don't know what the right path forward is. By showing up with both vulnerability and intentionality, we give our teams permission to do the same—unlocking creativity, empathy, and the best of what we can collectively achieve!

Happy listening, and, as always, please feel free to reach out to us with our own thoughts and/or questions! Enjoy our conversation with John Bratsakis!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

How to find John:John Bratsakis, President & C.E.O. of Maryland & DC Credit Union Association
mddccua.org
John: LinkedIn
Maryland & DC Credit Union Association: LinkedIn | Facebook | X | YouTube

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“Every time I’ve just been myself, it’s really worked to my advantage.” - Patty CorkeryWelcome to episode 213 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

In this episode, we are joined by repeat guest Patty Corkery, the president and CEO of the Michigan Credit Union League. She comes on board to discuss the idea of "releasing to evolve" as leaders, sharing some truly insightful reflections on the mindset shifts and unlearning that often must happen as we take on more senior roles.

One big theme that resonates with us is this idea of having to let go of the need to be liked, especially when you're in a position in which you must make tough decisions. Patty talks about how she has had to work on being more direct and not worrying so much about everyone approving of her and we talk about the human desire to be an approachable, fun leader, versus having to put on the CEO hat and make uncomfortable calls.

We also dive into the challenge of adjusting your communication style as you move up, with Patty sharing a great piece of advice that she got about how "your whisper is a roar" at the executive level. It is a fine line to walk—being authentic while also being mindful of the weight that your words carry.

This is a truly thought-provoking conversation about the evolution required to be an effective senior leader, and Patty offers a lot to reflect on and think about. Enjoy our conversation with Patty Corkery!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
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How to find Patty:Patty Corkery, President & CEO of the Michigan Credit Union League
mcul.org
Patty: LinkedIn
Michigan Credit Union League: LinkedIn | Facebook | X | YouTube

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“I can give you the blueprint, but you’ve got to own your own development” - Ty Muse
Welcome to episode 212 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

In this episode, we are joined by repeat guest Ty Muse, President & CEO at Visions Federal Credit Union who joins us for an insightful conversation about building legacy in real-time. As leaders, we often get caught up in the day-to-day grind, but Ty shares a truly refreshing perspective—that legacy isn't some far-off concept but is about the people we develop along the way.

Ty passionately opens up about his Lead On and Lead In programs, which prepare future leaders within his organization—but his mentorship extends beyond his own walls, actively seeking out rising stars in the credit union industry and connecting them with opportunities, resources and seasoned veterans who can help them grow. This concept of "sponsorship" versus mentorship truly resonates with us!

Ty also challenges the idea of "big vs. small" credit unions, arguing that we're all part of the same cooperative movement. He believes that larger institutions have the responsibility to support and uplift the smaller ones because we are ultimately stronger together, and this collaborative mindset is so refreshing and inspiring in an industry that can sometimes feel divided.

Ultimately, Ty's overarching message is about making the most of the precious time that we have. He doesn't just find time for mentorship—he makes it a priority because he sees it as an investment that pays dividends, both for the mentor and the mentee. His insights on work-life balance, vulnerability as a leader, and empowering boards are equally thought-provoking, and this is a conversation that is sure to leave you feeling inspired to build our own legacies in real-time. Enjoy our conversation with Ty Muse!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
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“We must really control the inputs we are taking into our brain.” - Lauren CulpWelcome to episode 211 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

This episode is sponsored by Alacriti—a leading payments fintech helping credit unions compete with challenger banks and digital wallets. Alacriti delivers seamless, real-time money movement experiences for loan payments, A2A transfers, digital disbursements, and bill pay. With a single, cloud-native platform that connects to The Clearing House, Fedwire, ACH, and FedNow, credit unions can modernize without overhauling legacy infrastructure. Learn more at Alacriti.com.

In this episode, we are joined by Lauren Culp, Executive Director at the National Credit Union Foundation (and former President and CEO at CUInsight). She joins us to talk about energy, not just as a buzzword but as a very real challenge that leaders must face. Lauren reflects on what depletes her and what restores her, including deleting social media off her phone. We explore the difference between being productive and being present and how hard it is to do both when you’re living in a steady stream of notifications and back-to-back meetings.

We also open up about learning to say no, what boundaries look like in leadership, and how to tell the difference between what is actually urgent and what just feels urgent. Whether it’s blocking no-meeting days, turning off email notifications, or just having the self-awareness to admit that you are “out of words,” these are the tools that help us stay grounded rather than just efficient, especially since there is a difference between being productive and actually being present.

Join us for an insightful conversation about being human and about protecting the parts of ourselves that leadership can easily burn through if we aren't being careful. If you’ve ever found yourself feeling scattered, exhausted, and completely out of energy, then this episode is definitely for you. Enjoy our conversation with Lauren Culp!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Lauren:Lauren Culp, Executive Director at the National Credit Union Foundation
ncuf.coop
Lauren: LinkedIn
NCUF: LinkedIn |

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“...You establish trust with your team by being... willing to be vulnerable enough to, as a leader... to say... that's something that I hadn't thought about. That is an expertise that I don't have right now.” - Greg Michlig

Welcome to episode 210 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

In this episode, we are joined by Greg Michlig, CUInsight’s very own CEO, who joins us to talk about the power of paradox. Leadership, after all, isn’t always about having the answers. Leadership is a practice of holding tension and of living in the in-between, and we talk about the power and challenge of paradox in leadership. What does it look like to lead with both confidence and humility, to show strength while also admitting to what you don’t know?

Greg brings some personal stories and honest reflections that make you want to follow him, not because he claims to have all the answers but because he knows how to ask the right questions. We explore what it means to lead in uncertain times without pretending to be certain, and how the best leaders learn to embrace complexity rather than run from it.

We also get personal when we share how reframing the idea of “being right” vs. “getting it right” can change how we show up, and we reflect on the uncomfortable (and sometimes hilarious) experience of feeling like an imposter and a winner… at the exact same time!

If you have ever felt the pressure to perform, to decide fast, or to prove yourself worthy of your title, this episode offers something better than advice: a breath of honesty, a few good questions, and some encouragement to lead like a real human, and we encourage you to listen in!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Greg:
Greg Michlig, C.E.O. at CUInsight
cuinsight.com
Greg: LinkedIn
CUInsight: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | X

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“Leaning into your best self—that's what brings joy and happiness.” – Tracie Kenyon

Welcome to episode 209 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

In this episode, we are joined by a familiar voice—Tracie Kenyon, Executive Development Partner at Humanidei—to discuss the importance of leaders doing inner work: what we bring into the room before the meeting even starts. Even though it's often said that feelings do not belong in the workplace, nothing could be further from the truth.

Inner work is messy, ongoing, and, at times, uncomfortable—but it is also where the most meaningful improvements in leadership happen. Tracie helps us explore what it really looks like to lead from the inside out.

We also reflect on our own growth, and Tracie reminds us that leadership isn’t always about having the right answers but about staying curious, staying grounded, and letting go of the idea that we have to always be perfect and in control of everything.

Whether you are leading a team or leading yourself through a tough season, this episode is for you. Enjoy our conversation with Tracie Kenyon!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
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How to find Tracie:Tracie Kenyon, Executive Development Partner at Humanidei
humanidei.com
Tracie: LinkedIn
Humanidei: LinkedIn | Facebook | X

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“Trust is the currency that keeps credit unions thriving.” - Jill Nowacki

Welcome to episode 208 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

In this episode, we discuss a simple but incredibly important topic: the importance of trust. We don’t talk about it just as a buzzword but as something absolutely critical to being a good, effective leader. Sharing real stories from the credit union world, we closely examine the different layers of trust, from keeping members’ data safe to creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and safe.

We also talk openly about the disconnect between intention and perception and how even well-meaning leaders can unintentionally erode trust via missteps, unintentional favoritism, and/or inconsistency. Jill shares her own mental model of a “trust pyramid,” applying it to both member and employee expectations, and I reflect on moments in my own leadership journey where trust may have faltered and what it takes to earn it back.

Whether you are a leader yourself who is trying to build a more cohesive team or someone rethinking your organization’s promises to the communities that you serve, please join us because this conversation will challenge you to reflect on what trust truly requires!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

Previous guests mentioned in this episode: Chuck Fagan (episodes 5 & 176)

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“If you’re looking for evidence of your failure, you’ll find that evidence.” - Jill Nowacki

Welcome to episode 207 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

In this episode, we discuss a challenge that many of us deal with—imposter syndrome—that annoying voice in your head that’s trying to convince you that you aren’t good enough and you don’t deserve to be here. We talk about how it shows up and shapes how we lead, interact, and self-sabotage.

We talk about first jobs—where a “fake it ‘til you make it” mindset was the norm—and moments that made us question if we belonged where we were. Imposter syndrome sometimes hides behind perfectionism, micromanagement, and/or hesitation to take risks, and we discuss what that can do to a workplace culture.

Join us as we offer up some tools to help you recognize that it isn’t just you—literally everyone is flawed!

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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

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“Be unreasonable, but not unrealistic.” - Renée Sattiewhite

Welcome to episode 206 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

In this episode, we are joined by Renée Sattiewhite, President & CEO at the African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC). We discuss the growing pains that come with scaling up an organization, and Renée reflects on her experience scaling AACUC through tough times, including a rapid expansion during the COVID-19 pandemic that required balancing remote hires and maintaining the organization's core values.

Renée’s journey as a leader truly highlights the importance of hiring the right people and making sure that the organization’s culture remains intact as things grow and change. She talks candidly about the lessons that she has learned in guiding her team and offers a unique perspective on leading during periods of growth.

From training employees to prioritizing well-being over profits, Renée offers some truly valuable insight for leaders dealing with their own growing pains. Enjoy our conversation with Renée Sattiewhite!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
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How to find Renée:Renée Sattiewhite, President & CEO at AACUC
aacuc.org
Renée: LinkedIn
AACUC: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube

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“Don’t just bounce back—bounce better.” - Randy SmithWelcome to episode 205 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

In this episode, we discuss the idea of resilience, stressing that it isn’t just about weathering a storm; it’s also about coming out stronger on the other side of it. We talk about what it means to be a truly resilient leader and how organizations can build resilience into their DNA.

We talk about how leaders who thrive through difficult times are not just the ones who endure but those who adapt, inspire, and create opportunities out of challenges. We also discuss the traits that set resilient leaders apart—how they embrace setbacks and create adaptability in their teams.

As we further explore this topic, we talk about how it is not just an organizational trait; it’s also personal, and we look at the importance of leaders maintaining their own well-being, recognizing when to push forward and when to step back.

We hope you’ll enjoy this conversation as we cover practical ways to put resilience into operations!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List
Previous guests mentioned in this episode: Mike Valentine (episodes 128 & 204)

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“As long as you take your job seriously and not yourself seriously, you’re ok.” - Mike Valentine

Welcome to episode 204 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

In this episode, we welcome our friend Mike Valentine back to the show. Mike is the President and CEO of BCU in Illinois, and he joins us to reflect on some insights from his 40 years in the credit union industry, offering a refreshing perspective on leadership that prioritizes authenticity. We explore how leaders can balance being true to themselves while also taking on the expectations of others.

Mike opens up about the challenges that he faced early in his career. He stresses that being a leader isn’t about fitting into a mold but rather about embracing one’s true self, which ultimately leads to stronger connections and more effective leadership. We also discuss the importance of helping teams find and express their authentic selves and how diversity in leadership styles strengthens organizations.

As we further explore Mike’s journey, he touches upon the critical moments that helped shape his leadership style, including learning from mentors and handling work-life integration. Whether you are a current or aspiring leader, this episode will offer valuable insights into how to lead with integrity and authenticity! Enjoy our conversation with Mike Valentine!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Mike:Mike Valentine, President and CEO of BCU
bcu.org
Mike: LinkedIn
BCU: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

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“Looking out a couple years, your strategic plan may still be viable, but it sure has to be flexible.” - Randy Smith

Welcome to episode 203 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

In this season Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too.

In this episode, we discuss creation vs. innovation and what we believe the primary differences between the two are. We discuss how leaders can strike the right balance between creating something entirely new and innovating on something that already exists. We also share our thoughts on the role of A.I. in speeding up innovation, why collaboration is important, and how organizations can put strategic change into effect.

We offer some insights into how leaders can stay ahead in an industry that is always evolving and changing. We talk about the challenges of gaining team buy-in, how to manage incremental improvements while also encouraging bold creation, and why it’s crucial to set clear, actionable steps after every planning session. We also discuss the idea of "minimum viable products" and how launching small ideas that can be tested can lead to truly meaningful innovation.

We hope that you will tune in for our conversation on how staying curious, facilitating collaboration, and having a mindset focused on growth can really transform the way that credit unions serve their members!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

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“Recognize your own humanity and give yourself the resources you need to cultivate optimism.” - Jill Nowacki
Welcome to episode 202 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

In this episode, you will hear us discuss the importance of optimism, especially as a leader. We unpack the differences (as well as similarities) between being optimistic and being realistic and Jill stresses why it’s so incredibly important that leaders set an example of optimism for their teams.

Not everyone is naturally inclined toward optimism, so we discuss some ways to cultivate it, and Jill highlights the importance of understanding that even though it’s crucial for leaders to model optimism, it’s important to understand that leaders are humans who have bad days as well, and we describe ways to match optimism with pessimism and find a happy medium.

Whether you naturally lean more toward pessimism or toward optimism, this episode is one that you won’t want to miss!

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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

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“There's nothing we can do today that makes tomorrow happen exactly how we think...” - Jill NowackiWelcome to episode 201 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.

A little change from the first 200 episodes. Have to keep it fresh and I think you all will find the changes entertaining. So many of the conversations and questions from the first 200 episodes came from around the island in our kitchen. So why not make it even more personal and keep microphones close by to record a couple times a month. It should be a fun season.

In this episode you will hear us reflect on the power of staying present, embracing change, and learning from the journey, regardless of whether life feels like it’s speeding by in front of you. As always, we leave you with some actionable takeaways to implement in your own leadership and life!

Whether you are in a season of big decisions or small steps, this episode is full of inspiration to help you start the year off with clarity and confidence, so join us as we kick off this new season together!

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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

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“Stay authentic to your path.” - Jill Nowacki

Thank you for tuning in to episode 200 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com.

My guest on today’s show is Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. As we celebrate our milestone of 200 episodes, Jill and I reflect on 2024 (and her becoming co-host in 2025). We discuss the changing human expectations, pace of change, and transformational change within credit unions in 2024. As we look to the future, we explore the critical role vision plays in strategic planning.

During our conversation, Jill discusses how the shifting dynamics of the workforce are increasingly shaped by the need to prioritize human expectations. She talks about the common traits among thriving credit unions and what makes a resilient leadership team. Jill advises listeners to take a moment to celebrate the wins and lessons learned in 2024.

As we wrap up the show, Jill talks about becoming the co-host of the podcast, the topics she’s looking forward to discussing, and her dream guest for the podcast. She also talks about her favorite Christmas movie and who she thinks about when she hears the word “success”.

With Jill joining next season as co-host, we welcome fresh energy and insightful dialogues, so here's to what lies ahead. Enjoy my latest conversation with Jill Nowacki!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Jill:
Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanideihumanidei.com Jill: LinkedInHumanidei: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X

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“Our job is to encourage credit unions to reach underserved markets and show them how it can be a huge growth strategy.” - Cathie Mahon

Thank you for tuning in to episode 199 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Humanidei. Humanidei helps credit unions build inclusive cultures that attract, develop, and retain talent.

My guest on today’s show is Cathie Mahon, President and CEO at Inclusiv. Cathie shares her career journey in credit unions that began over 30 years ago. She is deeply rooted in her passion for organizing and empowering underserved communities. From her early days as an intern during a pivotal time in Los Angeles to her leadership role in New York City’s Office of Financial Empowerment, Cathie has been on a mission to ensure financial inclusion for all.

During our conversation, Cathie discusses her experience at the SACCA Congress in Kenya, exploring the global cooperative movement and the significant lessons we can learn from African SACCOs. We discuss the challenges and opportunities within the credit union industry, particularly the role of “hyper-local” credit unions making substantial community impacts. Cathie also mentions the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator and its goal to provide funds to community lenders—helping them lend to clean energy projects in low-income communities.

As we wrap up the show, Cathie shares how she balances work and her personal life, some book recommendations, and the best advice she received. Enjoy my conversation with Cathie Mahon!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Cathie:
Cathie Mahon, President and CEO at Inclusivinclusiv.org Cathie: LinkedInInclusiv: LinkedIn | Facebook | X

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“A good leader will create conversation by being honest about what they believe, even if they know people will disagree with it.” - Sekou Bermiss

Thank you for tuning in to episode 198 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Humanidei. Humanidei helps credit unions build inclusive cultures that attract, develop, and retain talent.

My guest on today’s show is Sekou Bermiss, Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the Kenan-Flagler Business School on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Sekou is also the next keynote speaker for the upcoming CUInsight Mini-Con: Winter Event. He shares some compelling insights about his journey from a chemical engineer to a well-respected strategist and academic. His unique perspective offers listeners a look into the complex challenges and opportunities facing the credit union industry today.

During our conversation, we discuss the talent shortage, particularly in IT, with Sekou emphasizing how credit unions can appeal to younger generations who are drawn to social responsibility. Sekou explains the significance of being resilient and adaptable in today’s environment, and talks about the common traits in organizations that do that well. Listen as Sekou explains how credit unions can foster resilience and innovation by creating a culture that encourages experimentation—allowing them to remain relevant and thrive amidst constant change.

As we wrap up the show, Sekou talks about trying new things to stay relevant, he lists his current favorite reads and shares his all-time favorite albums. Enjoy our conversation and don’t forget to register for the CUInsight Mini-Con: Winter Event to hear more from Sekou Bermiss!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Sekou:
Sekou Bermiss, Associate Professor at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan-Flagler Business Schoolkenan-flagler.unc.edu Sekou: LinkedIn | Instagram University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube

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“Learn to listen and be a collaborator.” - Renée Sattiewhite

Thank you for tuning in to episode 197 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Velera, formerly PSCU/Co-op Solutions, the nation’s premier payments credit union service organization and an integrated financial technology solutions provider. Velera serves more than 4,000 financial institutions throughout North America, operating with velocity to help its clients keep pace with the rapid momentum of change and fuel growth in the new era of financial services.

My guest on today's show is Renée Sattiewhite, President and CEO of the African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC). This conversation is held on-site at SACCA Congress in Kenya, surrounded by an influential group of 32 individuals from the U.S. credit union system. Renée shares what inspired her to bring this diverse group to Kenya, stemming from her experiences at previous congresses and her passion for fostering connections and future growth.

During our conversation, Renée talks about the unique insights gained from international perspectives. She shares the vast value of learning from different cultures to improve our practices for the communities we serve. We discuss how ACCOSCA’s commitment to inclusivity is evident through their efforts. Renée discusses strategies for developing a pipeline of diverse leaders and the significance of mentorship in nurturing the next generation. Listen as we explore the joys of international collaboration, the power of community, and the challenges we face as an industry, which also serve as opportunities for growth and lasting change.

As we wrap up the show, Renée shares who she thinks of when she hears the word, success. She shares book recommendations and provides advice to all listeners. Enjoy my conversation with Renée Sattiewhite!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Renée:
Renée Sattiewhite, President & CEO at AACUCaacuc.org Renée: LinkedIn AACUC: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube

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“The biggest thing credit unions need is grit.” - Samantha Beeler

Thank you for tuning in to episode 196 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Velera, formerly PSCU/Co-op Solutions, the nation’s premier payments credit union service organization and an integrated financial technology solutions provider. Velera serves more than 4,000 financial institutions throughout North America, operating with velocity to help its clients keep pace with the rapid momentum of change and fuel growth in the new era of financial services.

My guest on today's show is Samantha Beeler, President of LSCU & Affiliates. Samantha shares the career journey that led her to credit unions and her current role. We discuss the challenges credit unions face while also exploring exciting new ventures and expansion opportunities. Samantha admires the grit and resilience of the credit union industry and how we unite to move our industry forward.

During our conversation, Samantha shares the lasting impact mentors have had on her career and advises those working towards a leadership role. She expresses the value in fostering a culture of openness where where everyone feels valued and heard. When it comes to feedback, the LSCU & Affiliates team shares common language to create a fast to fail, quick to learn culture. Listen as we discuss ways to drive our industry forward through collaboration, innovation, and inspiration.

As we wrap up the show, listen as Samantha shares how she finds harmony in balancing work and family life, some audio book recommendations, and who her favorite superhero is. Enjoy my conversation with Samantha Beeler!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Samantha:
Samantha Beeler, President of LSCU & Affiliateslscu.coop Samantha: LinkedIn LSCU: LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | X

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“At the heart of every digital transformation is cultural transformation.” - Michael Crowl

Thank you for tuning in to episode 195 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Velera, formerly PSCU/Co-op Solutions, the nation’s premier payments credit union service organization and an integrated financial technology solutions provider. Velera serves more than 4,000 financial institutions throughout North America, operating with velocity to help its clients keep pace with the rapid momentum of change and fuel growth in the new era of financial services.

My guest on today's show is Michael Crowl, President & CEO of University Federal Credit Union (UFCU). Michael shares his career journey that led him to credit unions and his current role. He shares the value of curiosity and reflects on pivotal experiences that shaped his leadership style. The team at UFCU understands human-centered design in digital transformation and innovates to be compelling, maintain authenticity, and engage members effectively.

During our conversation, Michael shares insights into the evolving financial landscape and emphasizes the need to be compelling and not just relevant in today's fast-paced world. He discusses the importance of transforming technology and culture to maintain authenticity and member engagement. Michael shares the lasting impact mentors have had on his career and advises those working towards a leadership role. Listen as we discuss the value in cultural and digital transformation, the power of curiosity, and authentic leadership that prioritizes others.

As we wrap up the show, listen as Michael talks about a new chapter in his life as empty nesters, energy management, and a book he recommends to everyone.

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Michael:
Michael Crowl, President & CEO of UFCUufcu.org Michael: LinkedIn UFCU: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | X | Youtube

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“Push the envelope. Don't let your role, your organization, our industry as a whole become stagnant.” - Lauren Culp

Thank you for tuning in to episode 194 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Velera, formerly PSCU/Co-op Solutions, the nation’s premier payments credit union service organization and an integrated financial technology solutions provider. Velera serves more than 4,000 financial institutions throughout North America, operating with velocity to help its clients keep pace with the rapid momentum of change and fuel growth in the new era of financial services.

My guest on today’s show is Lauren Culp, the current President & CEO of CUInsight and soon-to-be Executive Director at the National Credit Union Foundation. Lauren discusses her upcoming career transition and reflects on her time at CUInsight. She shares valuable insights about leadership, communication, career development, and how we can break new ground to grow our industry.

During our conversation, Lauren opens up about the bittersweet nature of leaving CUInsight after five impactful years, reflecting on the accomplishments she's most proud of. She is excited about the people in the credit union industry and the alignment of their goals to help evolve and grow our movement. Lauren shares insights and offers tips on executing strategic plans and getting everyone on board. She emphasizes the importance of listening, collaborating, and fostering a supportive team culture. Listen as we explore the theme of transitions, including the larger shifts happening within the credit union space.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Lauren shares the best advice she’s been given around feedback, a book she recommends, and inspiration to change the world. Enjoy my conversation with Lauren Culp!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Lauren:
Lauren Culp, President & CEO at CUInsightcuinsight.com Lauren: LinkedIn CUInsight: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | X

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“When we take a minute to help ourselves, that leaves us in a better place to support others.” - Robbie Young

Thank you for tuning in to episode 193 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Velera, formerly PSCU/Co-op Solutions, the nation’s premier payments credit union service organization and an integrated financial technology solutions provider. Velera serves more than 4,000 financial institutions throughout North America, operating with velocity to help its clients keep pace with the rapid momentum of change and fuel growth in the new era of financial services.

My guest on today’s show is Robbie Young, VP of Strategic Growth at CUInsight, and advocate for mental health awareness. Robbie shares her story explaining the “why” behind her passion for mental health awareness. She offers heartfelt insights that emphasize why it's so important to have open and honest dialogue around mental health.

During our conversation, We explore practical ways that leaders can initiate conversations, break down stigmas, and create spaces where individuals feel seen, heard, and supported. Robbie shares valuable resources available to credit unions to provide mental health awareness and support their teams. She discusses ways to create a culture that values and recognizes mental health and shares how to measure the effectiveness of our efforts. Listen as we discuss ways to have conversations around mental health, create change for the better, and stay relevant for the future.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Robbie shares the last time she was amazed during a Global Women’s Leadership Network event, a book she highly recommends, and lets everyone know how much they matter.

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Robbie:
Robbie Young, VP of Strategic Growth at CUInsightcuinsight.com Robbie: LinkedInCUInsight: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | X

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“Trust exists at the crossroads of confidence and empathy.” - Pamela Barnum

Thank you for tuning in to episode 191 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Velera, formerly PSCU/Co-op Solutions, the nation’s premier payments credit union service organization and an integrated financial technology solutions provider. Velera serves more than 4,000 financial institutions throughout North America, operating with velocity to help its clients keep pace with the rapid momentum of change and fuel growth in the new era of financial services.

My guest on today’s show is Pamela Barnum, Trust and Nonverbal Communication Expert and keynote speaker for the upcoming CUInsight Mini-Con event. Pamela shares her career journey as a former undercover police officer and federal prosecuting attorney. She leverages her law enforcement background to teach leaders strategies to build trust, improve negotiations, and increase sales through intentional communication and body language. We are so excited to have Pamela as the keynote speaker for the next CUInsight Mini-Con event, register today!

During our conversation, Pamela discusses the “First” principles of leadership as it relates to tactical influence. She explains how to build and maintain trust along with the crucial role of empathy in leadership. Pamela explores common pitfalls in communication and how leaders can better connect with their teams and members by understanding nonverbal cues and practicing effective listening. Listen as we discuss the power of trust, communication, and empathy to build a stronger, more productive, and more engaged culture.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Pamela talks about creating routines, journaling, and improving each day along with some books she recommends. Enjoy my conversation with Pamela Barnum.

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Pamela:
Pamela Barnum, Trust and Nonverbal Communication Expertpamelabarnum.comPamela: LinkedIn | Instagram

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“As credit unions, what we do and why we do it, is incredibly important.” - Leigh Brady

My guest on today’s show is Leigh Brady, President & CEO of State Employees Credit Union (SECU) in North Carolina. Leigh shares her career journey that started at SECU over 36 years ago, having grown through the ranks to becoming the President and CEO. Leigh believes people are our biggest strength and the difference makers within the financial services industry.

During our conversation, Leigh discusses challenges credit unions face today and how we can overcome them. She expresses the value in taking risks and innovating to meet members needs based on feedback. Leigh shares the lasting impact mentors have had on her career and advises those working towards a leadership role. Listen as we discuss the power of people, servant leadership, and innovating to drive our movement forward.

As we wrap up the show, listen as Leigh talks about her dad and his positive impact on others, being intentional with your time, and her book recommendation. Enjoy my conversation with Leigh Brady!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Leigh:
Leigh Brady, President & CEO of State Employees’ Credit Unionncsecu.org Leigh: LinkedInSECU: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

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“We have to listen to people to understand their experience.” - Jill Nowacki

Thank you for tuning in to episode 190 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Velera, formerly PSCU/Co-op Solutions, the nation’s premier payments credit union service organization and an integrated financial technology solutions provider. Velera serves more than 4,000 financial institutions throughout North America, operating with velocity to help its clients keep pace with the rapid momentum of change and fuel growth in the new era of financial services.

My guest on today’s show is Jill Nowacki, Founder, President & CEO of Humanidei. Jill shares how she started her career in credit unions over 20 years ago and reflects on the last five years since Humanidei was developed. Credit unions work with Humanidei to integrate their most important asset, human capital, into organizational growth plans to win the war for talent.

During our conversation, Jill discusses being optimistic when facing one of the industry’s biggest challenges—the pace of changing complexities in running an organization and how to keep teams aligned and moving forward. She shares the value in providing autonomy to employees and members to create a frictionless and high-performing experience. Jill notes the key to receiving insightful feedback is asking open-ended questions. Listen as we discuss how to remove friction and create more meaningful experiences for employees and members.

As we wrap up the show, listen as Jill talks about self-growth, her excitement for traveling this summer with family, and what book she is getting ready to read with her team. Enjoy my conversation with Jill Nowacki!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

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“It takes five percent of people to make a difference.” - John Hope Bryant

Thank you for tuning in to episode 189 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Motivosity. Motivosity is all about building amazing company cultures that help people be happier at work. Through building recognition, connection, and community within the credit union, Motivosity makes your employees more engaged, and in turn, your members are too.

My guest on today’s show is John Hope Bryant; Founder, Chairman, & CEO of Operation HOPE. He acted as the Vice Chairman of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy and he’s the author of a best-selling book Financial Literacy for All. John shares life experiences that drove him to a career in promoting financial literacy. Operation HOPE is the largest financial literacy coaching organization in America.

During our conversation, John talks about the importance of financial literacy and ways to improve financial dignity in our communities and nationwide. He shares ways credit union leaders can become better equipped to empower employees and educate members in becoming financially healthy. Operation HOPE strives to find new and innovative ways to promote financial literacy for all and advance economic opportunity by providing people with the tools needed to reach their goals. Listen as John talks about making financial literacy a non-negotiable priority.

As we wrap up the episode, John talks about remembering the best advice he’s received, listening to Quincy Jones, and loving the work he does. Enjoy my conversation with John Hope Bryant!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find John:
John Hope Bryant; Founder, Chairman, & CEO of Operation HOPEjhbhope@operationhope.orgoperationhope.org John: LinkedIn Operation HOPE: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | X

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“Our opportunity is to figure out how to retain and elevate talent within our movement.” - Tobi Weingart

Thank you for tuning in to episode 188 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Motivosity. Motivosity is all about building amazing company cultures that help people be happier at work. Through building recognition, connection, and community within the credit union, Motivosity makes your employees more engaged, and in turn, your members are too.

My guest on today’s show is Tobi Weingart, Chief Program Officer at the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF). Tobi shares her career journey in credit unions that began after college. She encourages teams to create an environment that supports talent and provides opportunities to the rising stars of our movement. The National Credit Union Foundation is the charitable arm of the industry working to improve people's financial lives.

During our conversation, Tobi talks about nurturing and empowering professional development within teams. She discusses the importance of embracing opportunity to retain and elevate talent within the credit union movement. Tobi mentions numerous programs and workshops that ensure everyone in the organization has access to mission-based training. She shares the lasting impact mentors have had on her career and advises those working towards a leadership role. Listen as Tobi talks about the vast benefits of Credit Union Development Education (DE Program) and what leaders can do to create the best environment for developing talent.

As we wrap up the episode, Tobi talks about spending time in nature, listening to nostalgic music, and admiring her grandma. Enjoy my conversation with Tobi Weingart!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Tobi:
Tobi Weingart, Chief Program Officer at the National Credit Union Foundation
tweingart@ncuf.coop
ncuf.coop
Tobi: LinkedIn
NCUF: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | X

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“Inspire people to grow and use their potential.” - Lisa Florian

Thank you for tuning in to episode 187 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Motivosity. Motivosity is all about building amazing company cultures that help people be happier at work. Through building recognition, connection, and community within the credit union, Motivosity makes your employees more engaged, and in turn, your members are too.

My guest on today's show is Lisa Florian, President & CEO at Clearview FCU. Lisa shares her career journey in financial services that led her to where she is today. She strives for a collaborative team culture to support members and one another. The team at Clearview is committed to creating inclusive and thriving communities where financial growth and prosperity are accessible to everyone.

During our conversation, Lisa talks about meeting members where they are and expanding financial services where members show interest. She discusses the importance of communication and collaboration as it reflects team culture. Lisa shares the lasting impact mentors have had on her career and advises those working towards a leadership role. Listen as we discuss ways to drive our industry forward by inspiring others to grow, act, and live up to their potential.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Lisa talks about the importance of self-care and work-life integration, nostalgic music from her favorite decades, and books she recommends. Enjoy my conversation with Lisa Florian!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

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“A great leader starts with empathy.” - Tim Anderson

Thank you for tuning in to episode 186 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Motivosity. Motivosity is all about building amazing company cultures that help people be happier at work. Through building recognition, connection, and community within the credit union, Motivosity makes your employees more engaged, and in turn, your members are too.

My guest on today's show is Tim Anderson, President & CEO of United States Senate Federal Credit Union (USSFCU). Tim shares his 40+ year career journey in financial services that led him to where he is today. Tim encourages empathy and builds a people-centric culture where employees feel empowered. Together, the team at USSFCU improves financial wellness by integrating sustainability and security into every financial solution.

During our conversation, Tim talks about the power of thoughtful and innovative leadership. He discusses the significance of digital transformation to remain relevant and competitive in today’s environment. Tim values the lasting impact mentors have had on his career and shares ideas on what we can do to raise the leaders of tomorrow. Listen as we discuss the importance of empathy and pouring into our people to drive the credit union movement forward.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Tim talks about his early-career adventures, his recommended read, and his top Michael Jackson album. Enjoy my conversation with Tim Anderson!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

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“We maintain our sense of purpose in serving our country.” - Tony Hernandez

Thank you for tuning in to episode 185 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Motivosity. Motivosity is all about building amazing company cultures that help people be happier at work. Through building recognition, connection, and community within the credit union, Motivosity makes your employees more engaged, and in turn, your members are too.

My guest on today's show is Tony Hernandez, President & CEO at Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC). Tony spent 25 years in the United States Air Force before transitioning into the credit union industry. He truly understands the needs of military members and uses his knowledge to support the financial wellness of service members, veterans, and their families.

During our conversation, Tony explains how important it is that veterans know and understand the resources available to them. He talks about becoming an alternate voice within the credit union industry that empowers those who serve our country. Tony shares the lasting impact mentors have had on his career and advises those working towards a leadership role. Listen as we discuss the most current guides and programs DCUC has for veterans across the US.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Tony talks about being amazed by the milestones of his daughters, book, and listening to 80s rock. Enjoy my conversation with Tony Hernandez!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Tony:
Tony Hernandez, President & CEO at DCUC (Defense Credit Union Council)
ahernandez@dcuc.orgdcuc.org Tony: LinkedIn DCUC: LinkedIn | Facebook | X

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“We have a special opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives.” - Jennifer Borowy

Thank you for tuning in to episode 184 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Motivosity. Motivosity is all about building amazing company cultures that help people be happier at work. Through building recognition, connection, and community within the credit union, Motivosity makes your employees more engaged, and in turn, your members are too.

My guest on today's show is Jennifer Borowy, President & CEO of Michigan First Credit Union. Jennifer shares the career journey in financial services that led her to her current role at Michigan First. As they continue to evolve, Jennifer and her team innovate and improve digital solutions to meet members where they are and exceed their needs.

During our conversation, Jennifer discusses the importance of collaboration and how to achieve goals as a team and community. She talks about building a team culture that positively impacts lives inside and outside the organization. Jennifer emphasizes the value in listening to members' feedback and requests and taking action to grow together. Listen as we discuss the idea of staying ahead in the industry by working together.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Jennifer talks about visiting Niagara Falls with her family, being intentional with her time at work and home, and a book she recommends to improve member service. Enjoy my conversation with Jennifer Borowy!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Jennifer:
Jennifer Borowy, President & CEO of Michigan First Credit Unionjborowy@michiganfirst.commichiganfirst.com Jennifer: LinkedIn Michigan First: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube

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Always go back to the roots of your ‘why’.” - Hector Martin

Thank you for tuning in to episode 183 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Motivosity. Motivosity is all about building amazing company cultures that help people be happier at work. Through building recognition, connection, and community within the credit union, Motivosity makes your employees more engaged, and in turn, your members are too.

My guest on today's show is Hector Martin, President & CEO of County Schools FCU in California. Hector shares his career journey in credit unions that began right after high school. He is the founder of the professional development group designed specifically for credit unions, the Emerging Credit Union Leaders Council. Hector works with his team to build connections and improve the lives of members.

During our conversation, Hector discusses how to carve out and maintain a long-term vision. He explains how the Emerging Credit Union Leaders Council provides professionals with a wealth of knowledge and connections to further their careers. Hector shares the value of having a mentor, a coach, and a friend as part of his network and the impacts they have had on his career. Listen as we discuss strategies for teams to develop and retain talent in the credit union industry.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Hector talks about being a credit union lifer, his latest book recommendation, and his view on blending life in a way that works for him. Enjoy my conversation with Hector Martin!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Hector:
Hector Martin, President & CEO of County Schools FCU
hector@csfcu.orgcsfcu.org Hector: LinkedIn County Schools: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

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“Listen, learn, and co-create a future together.” - Brent Rempe

Thank you for tuning in to episode 182 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Humanidei. Humanidei helps credit unions build inclusive cultures that attract, develop, and retain talent.

My guest on today's show is Brent Rempe, President & CEO at First Alliance Credit Union. Brent shares his career journey that led him to credit unions and his current role. He shares the value in discovering your niche and defining your purpose to effectively lead and serve. The team at First Alliance Credit Union continues to foster connections and ignite positive change within their communities.

During our conversation, Brent discusses how to pursue a heart-led purpose for your team and members. He shares the lasting impact mentors have had on his career and advises those working towards a leadership role. Brent emphasizes the importance of value alignment and trust in building a culture within the organization. Listen as we discuss strategies to effectively serve and influence communities while staying aligned with the mission.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Brent talks about being amazing by his team, making time for his family life no matter how busy he may be, and recalling advice he got from his mom. Enjoy my conversation with Brent Rempe!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Brent:
Brent Rempe, President & CEO at First Alliance Credit Union
brempe@firstalliancecu.comfirstalliancecu.com Brent: LinkedIn First Alliance: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Youtube

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“Always lead with transparency.” - Jenny Vipperman

Thank you for tuning in to episode 181 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Humanidei. Humanidei helps credit unions build inclusive cultures that attract, develop, and retain talent.

My guest on today's show is Jenny Vipperman, President & CEO at ORNL Federal Credit Union. Jenny shares the career journey that led her to nearly two decades in credit unions. As they continue to evolve, Jenny and her team collaborate with fintechs and create CUSOs to meet and exceed member needs.

During our conversation, Jenny discusses the value in collaborating with other credit unions to collectively move the industry forward. We talk about the power of artificial intelligence and how leaders must learn and leverage AI to remain relevant and protect their organizations. Jenny shares the lasting impact mentors have had on her career and advises those working towards a leadership role. Listen as we discuss ways to drive our industry forward through collaboration, innovation, and transparent leadership.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Jenny talks about her son’s amazing talent, her first choice casting for her biopic, and her current book recommendation. Enjoy my conversation with Jenny Vipperman!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Jenny:
Jenny Vipperman, President & CEO at ORNL Federal Credit Union
jvipperman@ornlfcu.comornlfcu.com Jenny: LinkedIn ORNL: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Youtube

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“The relationships you build in and outside the organization are critically important.” - Libby Gill

Thank you for tuning in to episode 180 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Humanidei. Humanidei helps credit unions build inclusive cultures that attract, develop, and retain talent.

My guest on today's show is Libby Gill, Leadership Expert, Executive Coach, and Award-Winning Author. Libby Gill guides individuals and organizations to lead through change, challenge, and chaos by deeply engaging employees on a shared, future-focused vision of success. She is also the author of seven books including, The Hope Driven Leader. We are so excited to have Libby as the keynote speaker for the next CUInsight Mini-Con event, register today!

During our conversation, Libby discusses Hope Theory, the science of hopefulness as it pertains to building connections and sharing the same vision within an organization. She talks about inspiring all levels of your credit union team with purpose. Listen as we discuss ways to create a purposeful and productive workplace.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Libby talks about memories of jobs from before her career, an inspiring story of someone who turned their life around, and a heartwarming story of her team rallying around a teammate. Enjoy my conversation with Libby Gill!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Libby:
libby@libbygill.comlibbygill.com Libby: LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter

The Hope-Driven Leader: Harness the Power of Positivity at Work

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“We’re going to have to be flexible to compete.” - Brian Lee

Thank you for tuning in to episode 179 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Humanidei. Humanidei helps credit unions build inclusive cultures that attract, develop, and retain talent.

My guest on today's show is Brian Lee, President & CEO at Landings Credit Union in Arizona. Brian shares how his time as an examiner influences his problem solving and leadership style. As they continue to grow, Landings Credit Union offers members personalized financial products and services. Under Brian’s leadership, the credit union also earned its Dementia Friendly Business designation.

During our conversation, Brian discusses the minor improvements and micro-innovations that lead to big wins for credit union teams. He explains strategies that help teams boost ideas overall and encourage team members to feel a sense of ownership. Listen as we discuss the identity crisis for many credit unions today and the importance of not getting lost in the noise around us.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Brian talks about making smoothies at a popular chain, being amazed by his children, and listening to this particular Pearl Jam album. Enjoy my conversation with Brian Lee!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Brian:
Brian Lee, President & CEO at Landings Credit Union
blee@landingscu.orglandingscu.org

Brian: LinkedIn Landings Credit Union: LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter

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“Continue to learn, grow, and collaborate to move our industry forward.” - Linda Armyn

Thank you for tuning in to episode 178 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Humanidei. Humanidei helps credit unions build inclusive cultures that attract, develop, and retain talent.

My guest on today's show is Linda Armyn, President & CEO of Bethpage FCU. Linda has been a part of the Bethpage family for over two decades, having grown through its ranks to recently becoming the President & CEO. Linda acknowledges the significance of every role in creating a collaborative team. Together, the team at Bethpage offers a full range of products and services to support the financial needs of members.

During our conversation, Linda talks about the importance of fostering a collaborative environment that includes all departments and board members. She discusses how credit unions can work together to overcome economic challenges and drive our movement forward. Linda shares the lasting impact mentors have had on her career and advises those working towards a leadership role. Listen as we discuss the power of telling our stories to enhance the future of the industry.

As we wrap up the show, listen as Linda shares what music she enjoys, inspiring words from her father, and why she purchased 149 copies of this book and sent it to her team. Enjoy my conversation with Linda Armyn!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Linda:
Linda Armyn, President & CEO of Bethpage FCU
larmyn@bethpagefcu.combethpagefcu.com Linda: LinkedIn Bethpage FCU: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube

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Make ‘better’ happen.” - Jill Nowacki

Thank you for tuning in to episode 177 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Humanidei. Humanidei helps credit unions build inclusive cultures that attract, develop, and retain talent.

My guest on today's show is Jill Nowacki, President & CEO of Humanidei. Jill shares how she started her career in credit unions over 20 years ago and the initiative behind starting Humanidei. Credit unions work with Humanidei to integrate their most important asset, their human capital, into organizational growth plans to win the war for talent. Jill is passionate about helping credit unions and their people reach their full potential and looks forward to seeing the momentum built around organizational growth and wellness.

During our conversation, Jill discusses being optimistic in the face of the industry’s biggest challenge — establishing continued relevance. She talks about the power of being a financial cooperative and embracing what differentiates us given opportunities and challenges in today’s environment. Jill emphasizes the significance of emotional intelligence at every organizational level when adding individuals to a team. Listen as we discuss taking the initiative to create a better future for credit unions, teams, and members.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Jill shares the last time she was truly amazed, three intentions she has for 2024, and what book she recommends. Enjoy my conversation with Jill Nowacki!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

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“We’re going to build with the industry and build it the way you want it.” - Chuck Fagan

Thank you for tuning in to episode 176 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Humanidei. Humanidei helps credit unions build inclusive cultures that attract, develop, and retain talent.

My guest on today's show is Chuck Fagan, President and CEO of PSCU. PSCU is the nation’s premier payments CUSO offering end-to-end support and integrated fintech solutions to help credit unions deliver personalized, connected experiences. Chuck shares insights on the merger of PSCU and Co-op Solutions. They continue to focus on serving credit unions beyond traditional payment processing and provide new and innovative solutions to drive our movement forward.

During our conversation, Chuck talks about credit unions scaling with mergers. He shares the importance of communication and merging the cultures of PSCU and Co-op to strengthen their impact and continue supporting the industry. Listen as we discuss lessons learned from domestic and international cases of evolving within the financial services industry.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Chuck talks about practicing his golf skills, enjoying being a grandfather, and what’s to come in the future. Enjoy my conversation with Chuck Fagan!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Chuck:
Chuck Fagan, President and CEO of PSCU
cfagan@pscu.compscu.com Chuck Fagan: LinkedIn PSCU: LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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“We can make this world a bit better than how we found it.” - Dr. Gamaliel Hassan

Thank you for tuning in to episode 175 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Amazon Business. With the value and convenience of Amazon, plus innovative tools and features, purchasing leaders in credit unions can reduce costs, save time, maintain control, and efficiently scale operations. Amazon Business, the most comprehensive one-stop shop for business purchasing.

My guest on today's show is Dr. Gamaliel Hassan, CEO of Stima Sacco in Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. Gamaliel shares his career and education journey that led him to where he is today. Stima Sacco is the second largest SACCO in Africa. Dr. Gamaliel builds teams that directly help communities financially and continue to grow the financial services industry.

During our conversation, Dr. Gamaliel talks about different financial business models and the importance of financial education. He dives into the challenges facing SACCOs and credit unions when it comes to fintechs and how we can leverage technology to remain relevant in a digital world. He explains the importance of knowing when to decline ideas, and to focus on ones that can be implemented. Listen as we discuss educating, informing, and training employees and members to ultimately change the world.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Dr. Gamaliel talks about his view of fatherhood, his big dreams, and who he’d like to cast for his biopic. Enjoy my conversation with Dr. Gamaliel Hassan!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Dr. Gamaliel:
Dr. Gamaliel Hassan, CEO of Stima Sacco
ghassan@STIMA-SACCO.COMstima-sacco.com Dr. Gamaliel: LinkedIn Stima Sacco: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter

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“Effective leaders help people see beyond what they’re capable of.” - Terrance Williams

Thank you for tuning in to episode 174 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Amazon Business. With the value and convenience of Amazon, plus innovative tools and features, purchasing leaders in credit unions can reduce costs, save time, maintain control, and efficiently scale operations. Amazon Business, the most comprehensive one-stop shop for business purchasing.

My guest on today's show is Terrance Williams, President & CEO at TruStage. Terrance shares his career journey that led him to his current role at TruStage. TruStage, formerly known as CUNA Mutual Group, is a mutual insurance company that provides insurance, investments, and cutting-edge technology to cooperatives, credit unions, and their members worldwide. As we look to the future, TruStage is focused on evolving to stay ahead and continue meeting the ever-changing needs of members.

During our conversation, Terrance shares his experiences of developing professional relationships and resources within the industry. He shares the lasting impact mentors have had on his career and gives advice to those working towards a leadership role. Terrance discusses key points to stay relevant in today’s digital world. Listen as we explore ways to evolve and stay ahead while being united in driving our industry forward.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Terrance shares the best piece of advice he’s heard about authenticity, why fulfillment is part of his view of success, and which actor he’d choose for his biopic. Enjoy my conversation with Terrance Williams!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Terrance:
Terrance Williams, President & CEO at TruStagetrustage.com Terrance: LinkedIn TruStage: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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“Credit unions are the most positioned entity across the world to be the drivers of social and economic change.” - Monica Belz

Thank you for tuning in to episode 173 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Amazon Business. With the value and convenience of Amazon, plus innovative tools and features, purchasing leaders in credit unions can reduce costs, save time, maintain control, and efficiently scale operations. Amazon Business, the most comprehensive one-stop shop for business purchasing.

My guest on today's show is Monica Belz, President & CEO at Kaua’i Federal Credit Union. Monica shares her passion and commitment to humanitarianism, which inspired her involvement with credit unions. The team at Kaua’i Federal Credit Union is rooted in their culture and works to rebuild communities to ensure the wealth and wellness of future generations. Monica believes credit unions are uniquely positioned to positively impact the world.

During our conversation, Monica explains how ancestral wisdom and current cultural trends can create and impact change. She shares the value in advocating for local and global communities, interconnecting them, and her experience sharing and receiving, “aloha.” Monica discusses the importance of and insights to driving economic and social change. Listen as we discuss the strategies behind building resilient communities and regenerative economies.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Monica talks about visiting Japan and being amazed by her eldest child, diving deep into doughnut economics, and who her “shero” is . Enjoy my conversation with Monica Belz!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Monica:
Monica Belz, President & CEO Kaua’i Federal Credit Union
Monica@kauaicreditunion.orgkauaicreditunion.org Monica: LinkedIn Kaua’i FCU: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

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“Workplace mental health has a lot to do with the culture.” - Mike Veny

Thank you for tuning in to episode 172 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Amazon Business. With the value and convenience of Amazon, plus innovative tools and features, purchasing leaders in credit unions can reduce costs, save time, maintain control, and efficiently scale operations. Amazon Business, the most comprehensive one-stop shop for business purchasing.

My guest on today's show is Mike Veny, who is fiercely committed to empowering employees to discover the gift of emotional wellness so they can accelerate personal and professional growth. Mike dives into different approaches to wellness, such as whole-life integration to find your own version of balance. We are so excited to have Mike as the keynote speaker for the next CUInsight Mini-Con event, so register today!

During our conversation, Mike and I talk about mental health in the workplace. Mike covers a range of mental health topics for teams and individuals, as well as resources for individual and workplace growth. He discusses the correlation between DEI and mental health in organizations and ways to promote a healthy culture. Listen as we discuss tools and methods that help us reflect on mental health and how organizations benefit from inclusive mental health awareness.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Mike talks about admiring nature, reflecting on a Deepak Chopra quote, and listening to Stevie Wonder. Enjoy my conversation with Mike Veny!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Mike:
Mike Veny, Workplace Mental Health Speaker
mike@mikeveny.commikeveny.com Mike: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

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“Everyone has their niche.” - Keith O'Neil

Thank you for tuning in to episode 171 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Amazon Business. With the value and convenience of Amazon, plus innovative tools and features, purchasing leaders in credit unions can reduce costs, save time, maintain control, and efficiently scale operations. Amazon Business, the most comprehensive one-stop shop for business purchasing.

My guest on today's show is Keith O'Neil, President & CEO at Johns Hopkins FCU (JHFCU). Keith was introduced to credit unions at a young age through family and became even more involved in college. He empowers his employees and is a mental health advocate, expressing its importance in workplaces. Keith and the JHFCU team continue to focus on their members, their community, and their impact on the credit union industry.

During our conversation, Keith and I talk about finding your own path in the credit union industry and building connections. He shares the lasting impact mentors have had on his career, and gives advice to those working towards a leadership role. Keith brings attention to the need for spaces to discuss the correlation between mental and financial health. Listen as we discuss the power of mentorship, transparency in relationships, and teamwork as empathy.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Keith talks about recent events that left him amazed through risk-taking, advice from his mother, and his love for music. Enjoy my conversation with Keith O'Neil!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Keith:
Keith O'Neil, President & CEO at Johns Hopkins FCU
koneil@jhfcu.orgjhfcu.org Keith: LinkedIn JHFCU: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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“What we do impacts people’s lives daily.” - Nathan Cox

Thank you for tuning in to episode 170 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. This episode is brought to you by Amazon Business. With the value and convenience of Amazon, plus innovative tools and features, purchasing leaders in credit unions can reduce costs, save time, maintain control, and efficiently scale operations. Amazon Business is the most comprehensive one-stop shop for business purchasing.

My guest on today's show is Nathan Cox, President and CEO at InRoads Credit Union. Nathan shares his career journey in financial services that led him to where he is today. He empowers his team and community with servant leadership and empathy. Nathan and the InRoads team continue to focus on their community and expand their services, talent, and contributions to the credit union industry.

During our conversation, Nathan and I talk about career building and the importance of relationships, opportunities, and self-awareness. He shares the lasting impact mentors have had on his career, and gives advice to those working towards a leadership role. Nathan uses an escalator analogy to talk about promotions and lateral moves when pursuing a career. Listen as we discuss skill acquisition, community engagement, and leadership lessons.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Nathan talks about his first job, his view on balancing work and personal life, and his inspiring family. Enjoy my conversation with Nathan Cox!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Nathan:
Nathan Cox, President and CEO at InRoads Credit Union
nathan.cox@inroadscu.orginroadscu.org Nathan: LinkedIn InRoads: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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“One of the things that makes credit unions so beautiful is that people are willing to share.” - Randall Smith

Thank you for tuning in to episode 169 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. This episode is brought to you by PSCU, the nation’s premier payments CUSO and an integrated technology solutions provider. Visit PSCU.com to learn more and discover PSCUTV, a new thought leadership platform hosted by PSCU Chief Growth Officer, Brian Scott. Each episode explores top-of-mind insights in the credit union industry.

In this episode, the tables are turned as Randall Smith, Co-founder of CUInsight is the guest and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei, is the host. As one of the co-founders of CUInsight he looks for innovative ways to spread the credit union message, connect people, and keep the credit union community informed. Randy is a continuous learner and his curious mind is not afraid to test the waters. Randy shares why he loves hosting The CUInsight Experience podcast and expresses excitement in what’s to come.

During the conversation, Jill and Randy talk about his experience hosting this podcast the last five years. They reflect on a previous episode recorded together and discuss the importance of intentional living from two perspectives, “yes or no” and the value found in each. Randy gives advice on asking questions, and not stopping after the first, “why” to dig deeper and figure out what’s next. Listen as they discuss making decisions based on what lights you up in life and pursuing your interests.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Randy shares the last time he was truly amazed, which books he recommends, and how he defines success. Enjoy their conversation!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Randall:
Randall Smith, Co-founder at CUInsight
rsmith@cuinsight.comcuinsight.com Randall: LinkedIn | Twitter CUInsight: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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“We have the ability to make a direct, tangible difference in the lives of people.” - Heather McKissick

Thank you for tuning in to episode 168 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by PSCU, the nation’s premier payments CUSO and an integrated technology solutions provider. Visit PSCU.com to learn more and discover PSCUTV, a new thought leadership platform hosted by PSCU Chief Growth Officer, Brian Scott. Each episode explores top-of-mind insights in the credit union industry.

My guest on today's show is Heather McKissick, President and CEO at CUES. Heather shares her career journey comprised of mission-driven organizations which led her to where she is today. CUES is the leading talent development solutions provider to the credit union industry. Heather believes credit unions have the ultimate ability to make a tangible and intangible difference in people’s lives.

During our conversation, Heather and I talk about how credit unions can remain viable and relevant while staying member-centric. She shares the lasting impact mentors have had on her career, and the value of feedback through mentoring. Heather expresses the importance of creating a collaborative and facilitative environment for leaders to serve and guide their teams successfully. Listen as we discuss ways to remain viable in today’s economy while continuing to drive our movement forward.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Heather talks about her insightful experience in Botswana, how she balances her personal and professional life, and her grandmother’s successful legacy. Enjoy my conversation with Heather McKissick!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Heather:
Heather McKissick, President and CEO at CUES
heather@cues.orgcues.org Heather: LinkedIn CUES: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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“The greatest leaders are people builders.” - Ronaldo Hardy

Thank you for tuning in to episode 167 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by PSCU, the nation’s premier payments CUSO and an integrated technology solutions provider. Visit PSCU.com to learn more and discover PSCUTV, a new thought leadership platform hosted by PSCU Chief Growth Officer, Brian Scott. Each episode explores top-of-mind insights in the credit union industry.

My guest on today's show is Ronaldo Hardy, President & CEO at NACUSO. Ronaldo shares his career journey in financial services that led him to where he is today. Ronaldo describes NACUSO as a unique experience and opportunity for credit unions, CUSOs, fintechs, and credit union service partners to come together to advance collectively. The team works to drive innovation and collaboration for the credit union industry.

During our conversation, Ronaldo and I talk about how collaborating is the pathway for progress. Ronaldo explains how CUSOs can help the industry leverage opportunities collectively. He shares the lasting impact mentors have had on his career, and gives advice to those working towards a leadership role. Listen as we discuss recent trends, community impact, and relationship building and management.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Ronaldo shares how excited he is for his new role and the future of the movement, how he keeps his bond with his wife and children strong, and why his mom is his inspiration. Enjoy my conversation with Ronaldo Hardy!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Ronaldo:
Ronaldo Hardy, President & CEO at NACUSO
ronaldo@nacuso.orgnacuso.org Ronaldo: LinkedIn NACUSO: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter

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“Collaborate to create a future where credit unions are thriving.” - Mara Humphrey

Thank you for tuning in to episode 166 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by PSCU, the nation’s premier payments CUSO and an integrated technology solutions provider. Visit PSCU.com to learn more and discover PSCUTV, a new thought leadership platform hosted by PSCU Chief Growth Officer, Brian Scott. Each episode explores top-of-mind insights in the credit union industry.

My guest on today's show is Mara Humphrey, President & CEO at the Minnesota Credit Union Network. Mara shares her career journey that started in politics and led her to where she is today. The Minnesota Credit Union Network is the state trade association for Minnesota’s credit unions. Mara is focused on creating a culture of collaboration within the credit union industry and evolving to stay ahead.

During our conversation, Mara and I talk about the bright future of the credit union industry. She shares the lasting impact mentors have had on her career, and gives advice to those working towards a leadership role. Mara expresses the importance of a collaborative culture so credit unions can be more nimble and continue to meet the needs of the changing financial services landscape. Listen as we discuss ways to invest in credit union culture and stay true to a vision.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Mara talks about her amazing team, how her family keeps her grounded, and what hobby helps her relax. Enjoy my conversation with Mara Humphrey!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Mara:
Mara Humphrey, President & CEO at the Minnesota Credit Union Network
mhumphrey@mncun.orgmncun.org Mara: LinkedIn MNCUN: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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“Be that person who is in a constant state of learning.” - Lisa Pesta

Thank you for tuning in to episode 165 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by PSCU, the nation’s premier payments CUSO and an integrated technology solutions provider. Visit PSCU.com to learn more and discover PSCUTV, a new thought leadership platform hosted by PSCU Chief Growth Officer, Brian Scott. Each episode explores top-of-mind insights in the credit union industry.

My guest on today's show is Lisa Pesta, President & CEO of Meriwest Credit Union. Lisa has been a part of the Meriwest family for over two decades, having grown through its ranks to recently becoming the President & CEO. Coming from a background in HR, Lisa has a unique perspective on the power of collaboration and building company culture. She is excited for the future of the industry and believes credit unions must collaborate to continue driving forward.

During our conversation, Lisa and I talk about continuously learning and developing passionate credit union teams. She shares the lasting impact mentors have had on her career and life, and how she pays it forward to the next generation. Lisa is deeply invested in understanding the dynamics of a positive working environment that encourages collaboration and excellence from all team and board members. Listen as we discuss ways to keep the credit union industry collaborative and inclusive.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Lisa talks about her four successful kids, her favorite album, and her dad’s inspiring story. Enjoy my conversation with Lisa Pesta!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Lisa:
Lisa Pesta, President & CEO of Meriwest Credit Union
lpesta@meriwest.commeriwest.com Lisa: LinkedIn Meriwest: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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“Let’s change the world and do it together.” - Gerry Singleton

Thank you for tuning in to episode 164 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by PSCU, the nation’s premier payments CUSO and an integrated technology solutions provider. Visit PSCU.com to learn more and discover PSCUTV, a new thought leadership platform hosted by PSCU Chief Growth Officer, Brian Scott. Each episode explores top-of-mind insights in the credit union industry.

My guest on today's show is Gerry Singleton, President & CEO of the Montana Credit Union Network (MCUN). Gerry shares the career journey that led him to credit unions 25 years ago. His journey began with TruStage, formerly known as CUNA Mutual Group and today he continues to foster his impact working with MCUN to support and serve credit unions and their members in Montana. He is excited for the future and believes credit unions can provide solutions for people and communities through collaboration.

During our conversation, Gerry and I talk about embracing collaboration to empower the credit union industry, globally. He talks about the power of mutual support and helping financial institutions across the industry become more relevant and effective. Gerry shares the lasting impact mentors have had on his career and life, and how he pays it forward to the next generation. Listen as we discuss ways to connect dots within the credit union industry and continue driving forward.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Gerry talks about his word of the year and how he puts it to action, his book recommendations, and his love for 1920s musical artists. Enjoy my conversation with Gerry Singleton!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Gerry:
Gerry Singleton, President & CEO of the Montana Credit Union Network
gerry@mcun.coopmcun.coop Gerry: LinkedIn MCUN: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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“We’re in the people business, we’re not in the money business.” - Tricia Szurgot

Thank you for tuning in to episode 163 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by CUES, the credit union industry’s leading talent development solutions provider. After listening to our show, be sure to learn more about TalentNEXT, the conference that takes a laser-focused look at smart people strategies for your credit union. Register today!

My guest on today's show is Tricia Szurgot, CEO at Securityplus FCU. Tricia is a certified futurist with over 20 years in the credit union industry, advocating for the future of the credit union movement. She chats about her experience growing in the industry including advice, knowledge, and inspiration for the future. In her role, she empowers the team at Securityplus to challenge ideas and dream big to transform financial services going forward.

During our conversation, Tricia and I talk about the importance of balance as we evolve. She explores how credit unions can leverage technology while keeping member service and team operations human-centric. Tricia talks about how credit unions are in the people business and shares the importance of building a positive culture for members and employees to thrive. Listen as we discuss the future possibilities of the credit union industry.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Tricia talks about her view on work-life balance, her son’s dream job, and her favorite music. Enjoy my conversation with Tricia Szurgot!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Tricia:
Tricia Szurgot, CEO at Securityplus FCU
tricia.szurgot@securityplusfcu.orgsecurityplusfcu.org Tricia: LinkedIn Securityplus: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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“We believe in credit unions.” - Bob Trunzo

In episode 162 of The CUInsight Experience podcast, host Randy Smith, a co-founder of CUInsight.com, sits down with Bob Trunzo, President and CEO of TruStage, (formerly CUNA Mutual Group).

After the recording of this episode Bob announced his retirement. You can read all about that here and learn who will be taking the reins from Bob this fall. Congratulations Bob!

This episode is brought to you by CUES, the credit union industry’s leading talent development solutions provider. After listening to our show, be sure to learn more about TalentNEXT, the conference that takes a laser-focused look at smart people strategies for your credit union. Register today!

In this insightful conversation with Bob Trunzo, he recounts his career journey at CUNA Mutual Group, culminating in their recent rebranding to TruStage. TruStage, a mutual insurance company, has a global reach, providing insurance, investments, and cutting-edge technology to credit unions and their members. The team at TruStage sees this brand change as a prime opportunity to enhance their service and strengthen the credit union movement.

During our discussion, Bob shares his insights on the rebranding process and adapting for the future while remaining dedicated to the credit union industry. We delve into the significance of delivering a seamless experience for members and the necessity of adaptability to maintain relevance. Bob also reveals the most impactful investment he made in his career and the invaluable role of having mentors by his side. He underscores the importance of listening as a leader to gain diverse and valuable perspectives. Join us as we explore the future of TruStage, its unwavering commitment to credit unions and their members, and its rich legacy of support.

As we conclude our conversation, Bob reflects on the last time he experienced genuine amazement and emphasizes the crucial balance between family time and being fully present in the moment. Prepare to be inspired as you join me in this engaging discussion with Bob Trunzo!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Bob:
Bob Trunzo, President & CEO at TruStage (formerly CUNA Mutual Group)trustage.com Bob: LinkedIn TruStage: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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“If we continue to create environments that give people the chance to be whole humans, we’re going to see positive outcomes from that.” - Jill Nowacki

Thank you for tuning in to episode 161 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by CUES, the credit union industry’s leading talent development solutions provider. After listening to our show, be sure to learn more about TalentNEXT, the conference that takes a laser-focused look at smart people strategies for your credit union. Register today!

My guest on today's show is Jill Nowacki, President & CEO of Humanidei + O’Rourke. Jill shares her journey and how she started her career in credit unions over 20 years ago. Credit unions work with Humanidei to integrate their most important asset, their human capital, into organizational growth plans to win the war for talent. Jill is passionate about helping credit unions and their people reach their full potential and looks forward to seeing the momentum built around organizational growth and wellness.

During our conversation, Jill and I chat about future-proofing workplaces. Jill talks about the importance of embracing human wholeness and approaching operations from a human-centered perspective. We discuss the significance of defining business critical roles and core competencies when it comes to creating a developmental plan to stay relevant and future-focused. Jill shares helpful tips to initiate future-proofing and exemplifies what a successful leadership team looks like. Listen as we discuss how organizations and employees contribute to the future of the credit union industry.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Jill talks about welcoming an adorable puppy, maintaining her fitness, and redefining success. Enjoy my conversation with Jill Nowacki!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

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“Learn about yourself first and then learn ways you can inspire others to do great things.” - Linda Bodie

Thank you for tuning in to episode 160 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by CUES, the credit union industry’s leading talent development solutions provider. After listening to our show, be sure to learn more about TalentNEXT, the conference that takes a laser-focused look at smart people strategies for your C-U. Register today!

My guests on today's show are Linda Bodie and Zach Christensen. Linda Bodie is the CEO of Element Federal Credit Union and Zach Christensen is the Executive Director at CU Pride. Together, they co-founded CU Pride alongside Brandi Stankovic and Susan Mitchell. CU Pride is the LGBTQ+ association for credit unions. While supporting LGBTQ+ credit union professionals, members, and allies, CU Pride’s mission is to provide opportunities for education, engagement, and celebration, allowing the credit union industry to embrace the LGBTQ+ community.

During our conversation, Linda, Zach, and I chat about acknowledging, supporting, and amplifying the lives and work of the LGBTQ+ community. We discuss matters happening in the world and how people have the influence to make a positive change. Linda and Zach talk about what’s next for CU Pride and share what they are working on and driving towards. Listen as we discuss technology, leadership, and how to revitalize the way we take care of people across communities.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Linda and Zach share tips on creating work-life balance, tell us about their childhood-dream professions, and share their top albums they know all the lyrics to. Enjoy my conversation with Linda and Zach!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Linda:
Linda Bodie, CEO at Element Federal Credit Union and co-founder at CU Pride
linda.bodie@elementfcu.orgcupride.orgelementfcu.org Linda: LinkedIn Element FCU: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

How to find Zach:
Zach Christensen, Executive Director at CU Pride
zach@mitchellstankovic.comcupride.org Zach: LinkedIn CU Pride: Facebook

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“Create a culture where your goal is to leave every one of your members better than when you found them.” - Brittany Hodak

Thank you for tuning in to episode 159 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by CUES. CUES is the leading talent development solutions provider in the credit union industry. After listening to our show, learn more and register for CEO Dialogue. This new CUES event is an opportunity to join your fellow CEOs from credit unions across North America in an open discussion format tackling the industry’s most pressing issues.

My guest on today's show is Brittany Hodak, an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker who delivers keynotes across the globe. She’s worked with some of the world’s biggest brands and entertainers, including Walmart, Disney, Katy Perry, and Dolly Parton. Brittany founded and scaled an entertainment startup to eight figures before exiting. She’s also the former Chief Experience Officer at Experience.com, and received a shoutout from Forbes about her debut book, Creating Superfans: How To Turn Your Customers Into Lifelong Advocates. We are so excited to have Brittany as the keynote speaker for the next CUInsight Mini-Con event, so register today!

In this episode, Brittany shares her journey and expertise in creating superfans. We discuss the motivations and outcomes of customer interactions and why superfans are crucial for organizational growth. Brittany also gives us a glimpse of her "Supermodel" framework for creating superfans which she will discuss in depth during CUInsight Mini-Con: IMPACT. Listen as we discuss how credit unions can create superfans and measure the impact of member experiences.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Brittany talks about a new hack she got from an unlikely source, a list of books to look out for, and the ultimate biopic casting choice. Enjoy my conversation with Brittany Hodak!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Brittany:
Brittany Hodak, Award-Winning Entrepreneur, Author, and Customer Experience Speaker
hello@brittanyhodak.combrittanyhodak.com Brittany: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Podcast

Creating Superfans: How To Turn Your Customers Into Lifelong Advocates

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“Life is too short to contort yourself to perform a role that doesn’t align with you.” - Kent Lugrand

Thank you for tuning in to episode 158 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by CUES. CUES is the leading talent development solutions provider in the credit union industry. After listening to our show, learn more and register for CEO Dialogue. This new CUES event is an opportunity to join your fellow CEOs from credit unions across North America in an open discussion format tackling the industry’s most pressing issues.

My guest on today's show is Kent Lugrand, President and CEO of InTouch Credit Union. Kent shares his journey and how he started his career in credit unions over 30 years ago. He chats about his experience in the credit union movement including advice and inspiration for the future. Kent’s leadership at InTouch has led the team and members in providing value and solutions in their community, specifically addressing food insecurity and donating $150,000 to local food banks. Kent is inspired by the impact credit unions can have in financial education and digital delivery.

During our conversation, Kent and I chat about the importance of networks and the power of choice that we exercise every day. Kent believes that credit unions are community institutions by design and is inspired by the impact credit unions can have in financial education and digital delivery. He talks about servant leadership and the community of culture and synergy created within an environment when leaders put the interest of others above their own. Listen as we discuss how to evaluate decisions,make choices as a team, and continue to drive our movement forward, together.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Kent talks about being a lifelong learner, evolving as a father, and knowing the power of his choices. Enjoy my conversation with Kent Lugrand!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Kent:
Kent Lugrand, President and CEO of InTouch Credit Union
ceo@itcu.orgitcu.org Kent: LinkedIn InTouch: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

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“Collaboration is how we are going to win in the future.” - Becky Reed

Thank you for tuning in to episode 157 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by CUES. CUES is the leading talent development solutions provider in the credit union industry. After listening to our show, learn more and register for CEO Dialogue. This new CUES event is an opportunity to join your fellow CEOs from credit unions across North America in an open discussion format tackling the industry’s most pressing issues.

My guest on today's show is Becky Reed, CEO at Lone Star Credit Union and Board Chair of NACUSO. Becky shares her journey and how she started her career in credit unions over 25 years ago. She chats about her experience growing in the credit union movement including advice, knowledge, and inspiration for the future. Becky’s leadership at Lone Star has led the team to implement technology that provides a personalized member experience with a small-town feel. In her role as board chair, Becky also guides NACUSO in its mission to help credit unions explore the use of CUSOs to stay in touch with the future of finance.

During our conversation, Becky and I chat about relevancy and how credit unions can appeal to all generations by sharing our mission. We discuss the balance of collaboration and decentralized finance (DeFi) as it relates to relevancy. Becky talks about the uprising of society losing trust in and questioning their relationship with traditional financial institutions. She explains how credit unions are well positioned to be a trusted partner that gives people their power back. Becky shares ways that CUSOs benefit credit unions, other CUSOs, and the movement as a whole through collaboration. Listen as we discuss how the credit union industry can empower each other to better serve the public.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Becky talks about what she’s doing to keep up with market trends, why she considers Condoleezza Rice successful, and which books she recommends. Enjoy my conversation with Becky Reed!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com**.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts*,* Spotify*,* Stitcher**

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Becky:
Becky Reed, CEO at Lone Star Credit Unionlonestarcu.org Becky: LinkedIn Lone Star: LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook

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“Demonstrate the credit union difference and put it at the center of all that we do.” - Greg Michlig

Thank you for tuning in to episode 156 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Allied Solutions. Allied Solutions is focused on helping clients grow their bottom line, protect their business and members, and evolve to stay ahead of the competition.

My guest on today's show is Greg Michlig, EVP and Chief Engagement Officer at CUNA. CUNA is the only national association that advocates for all of America’s credit unions. They work together with the leagues to support, protect, unify and advance the credit union movement. Greg began his career in the credit union industry after college and has been a vital part of it ever since. The team at CUNA continues to advocate for credit unions by interacting with government officials and policymakers to keep members and their financial well-being at the forefront of each decision.

During our conversation, Greg and I chat about creating operations to support financial well-being for all across the movement. He talks about collaboration across industry networks and among credit unions to promote their stories and protect their purpose. Greg speaks from his own experiences of networking, building teams, and testing ideas. Listen as we explore what a holistic industry approach to financial well-being could look like.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Greg talks about his very first job, his love for listening and playing music, and prioritizing family life. Enjoy my conversation with Greg Michlig!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Greg:
Greg Michlig, EVP and Chief Engagement Officer at CUNA
gmichlig@cuna.coopcuna.org Greg: LinkedIn | Twitter CUNA: LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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“Champion meaningful change in the advancement and respect of women in leadership.”- Teresa Freeborn

Thank you for tuning in to episode 155 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Allied Solutions. Allied Solutions is focused on helping clients grow their bottom line, protect their business and members, and evolve to stay ahead of the competition.

My guest on today's show is Teresa Freeborn, former President and CEO of Xceed Financial Credit Union, as well as the Chair & Co-founder of Smash + Tess. She is also the author of, Suits and Skirts: Game On! The Battle for Corporate Power, a book designed for men in leadership positions to reevaluate how they operate and make necessary changes for women to grow in leadership positions. For years, Teresa has been working to champion meaningful change in the advancement and respect of women in leadership roles.

During our conversation, Teresa and I chat about empowering women in their careers and call on men to be partners and advocates for equity in the credit union industry. She talks about being accountable for your actions that impact equity on all team levels. Teresa shares stories and fact-based information on why women and men are part of this conversation. Teresa and I discuss the future of the credit union movement specifically when it comes to gender roles and working from home. Listen as we talk about how the credit union industry can create more equity that will boost business.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Teresa talks about her book, her family, and being mindful in balancing her energy between everything that is important. Enjoy my conversation with Teresa Freeborn!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Teresa:
Teresa Freeborn, Former President and CEO of Xceed Financial Credit Union and the chair & Co-founder of Smash + Tess
teresa@teresafreeborn.comteresafreeborn.com Teresa: LinkedIn Smash + Tess: Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | TikTok

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“Don’t let innovation happen to you. Be an organization that is constantly thinking about improving.” - Diana Kander

Thank you for tuning in to episode 154 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Allied Solutions. Allied Solutions is focused on helping clients grow their bottom line, protect their business and members, and evolve to stay ahead of the competition.

My guest on today's show is Diana Kander, a New York Times Bestselling Author, Consultant, and Keynote Speaker. Diana has helped create multi-billion dollar products, coached boards and executive committees on innovation best-practices, and implemented culture transformations. Diana tells the story of how she knew little about the world and used that fresh view to take chances. She brings these experiences to each and every keynote, delivering entertaining case studies and perspective shifting stories. We’re so excited to have Diana as the keynote speaker for the next CUInsight Mini-Con event, so register today!

During our conversation, Diana and I chat about nurturing curiosity, pursuing innovation, and challenging core assumptions. She explains the importance of asking the right questions to gain meaningful feedback from members to improve and grow. She shares tips on creating space for curiosity and innovating for future growth and relevance. We discuss what we envision for the future of the credit union movement along with the significance of decision making and team building to bring each vision to life. Listen as we talk about how to notice zombie initiatives, pivot indicators, and failure metrics for staying on top of innovation.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Diana talks about innovations with ChatGPT, the best advice from her “ghost” mentor, and a success story she witnessed up close. Enjoy my conversation with Diana Kander!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Diana:
Diana Kander, New York Times Bestselling Author, Consultant, and Keynote Speakerdianakander.com Diana: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

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"Success is about knowing where your joy is and where it comes from.” - Tammy Passafiume

Thank you for tuning in to episode 153 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Allied Solutions. Allied Solutions is focused on helping clients grow their bottom line, protect their business and members, and evolve to stay ahead of the competition.

My guest on today's show is Tammy Passafiume, President and CEO at Diamond Lakes Federal Credit Union. Tammy started her career as an insurance agent before making her way into the credit union industry where she started as a teller. The team at Diamond Lakes is encouraged to collaborate, adapt, change, and support one another despite any challenges. Tammy views credit unions as advocates for members and believes credit unions should also advocate for each other, locally and globally.

During our conversation, Tammy and I chat about the value of networking, mentoring, and surrounding yourself with solid groups of people. Tammy shares the greatest investments made in her career that set the path to where she is today. When it comes to leadership and team building, we discuss decision making and how to make progress in the gray areas of operating a credit union. Tammy shares why such decisions are better made as a team, keeping in mind who the decision impacts. She gives inspiring advice to leaders about the future of the movement. Listen as we talk about how to build a network of different perspectives, how to collaborate on all levels, and how to set boundaries while collaborating.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Tammy talks about making memories more intentionally, being proud of a dear friend’s book launch, and measuring success by the joy in your life. Enjoy my conversation with Tammy Passafiume!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Tammy:
Tammy Passafiume, President and CEO at Diamond Lakes Federal Credit Union
tammyp@diamondlakesfcu.orghttps://www.diamondlakesfcu.org Tammy: LinkedIn Diamond Lakes: Facebook

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“Believe in yourself and never underestimate your value.”- Stephanie Covington

Thank you for tuning in to episode 152 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Allied Solutions. Allied Solutions is focused on helping clients grow their bottom line, protect their business and members, and evolve to stay ahead of the competition.

My guest on today's show is Stephanie Covington, President and CEO of GPO Federal Credit Union in Washington, DC. Stephanie entered the credit union industry right after high school and we discuss her career journey that led her to her current role. GPO Federal Credit Union strives to make a positive impact on every generation. Stephanie shares her love for credit unions and the people helping people philosophy that keeps the movement so strong.

During our conversation, Stephanie discusses the opportunities that come with utilizing technology and also mentions the challenges that may arise. Stephanie and I talk about keeping the big picture top of mind. She empowers her team to bring ideas and feedback to the table when discussing new ventures. Stephanie shares the greatest investment made in her career that she continues to benefit from. When adding a new member to the team, Stephanie looks for people who are open to risks and opportunities but also take accountability for their actions. Stephanie and I chat about the future of the credit union movement and what makes a good leader, including the importance of strong teams. Listen as we talk about creating a positive culture, getting to know your board members as individuals, and minimizing risks by piloting big ideas.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Stephanie talks about Oprah’s long and impactful career, Micheal Jackson’s Thriller album, and her mother’s wise advice about self worth. Enjoy my conversation with Stephanie Covington!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Stephanie:
Stephanie Covington, President and CEO of GPO Federal Credit Union
scovington@gpofcu.org
www.gpofcu.org/
Stephanie: LinkedIn GPO FCU: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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“It’s a great time to be a credit union.” - Dan Berger

Thank you for tuning in to episode 151 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Allied Solutions. Allied has over 40 years of experience in the financial services industry and is focused on helping more than 4,000 clients grow or enhance their bottom line, protect their business and consumers, and evolve to stay ahead of the competition.

My guest on today's show is Dan Berger, President and CEO of NAFCU. The team at NAFCU advocates for credit unions nationwide by interacting with government officials and policymakers. NAFCU is committed to representing, assisting, educating and informing credit unions to help them grow and continue serving their members. Starting the new year given the current state of the economy, Dan sees a lot of opportunities for credit unions to serve communities across America. These challenges are what credit unions are built for.

During our conversation, Dan and I discuss how credit unions can serve communities in this heightened climate. He shares some helpful tips for future leaders of the credit union movement and gives advice on how to adjust your team’s focus when priorities change. We discuss the importance of communication when it comes to building and sustaining professional relationships. When strategizing to meet their vision, NAFCU focuses on three things; advocacy, compliance assistance, and education and training.

Dan and I chat about decision making and knowing when to pivot. He also shares one of the greatest decisions he’s ever made, which set the tone for his career. Dan talks about company culture and feedback and mentions the two main components he looks for in candidates when hiring. Dan shares stories of how he travels to communities across the country to ask questions, get feedback, and fully understand how NAFCU can better serve them and their members. Listen as we talk about creating a vision and helping your team commit to better service for members.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Dan shares his book recommendations, his biopic casting choice versus his daughter’s casting choice, and his grandpa’s best advice. Enjoy my conversation with Dan Berger!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Dan:
Dan Berger, President and CEO of NAFCU
dberger@nafcu.orghttps://www.nafcu.org/ Dan: LinkedIn NAFCU: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube

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“Tell stories so that people can connect to that purpose.” - Leo Ardine

Thank you for tuning in to episode 150 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Elan Credit Card. Elan partners with more than 250 credit unions to provide an outsourced credit card program, and offers merchant and mortgage services for credit union members and business owners.

My guest on today's show is Leo Ardine, President and CEO of United Teletech Financial Federal Credit Union. Leo begins by sharing his career journey that led him to credit unions. As a leader in the credit union industry, he helps fellow leaders and organizations discover emotionally intelligent solutions to problems that they face. He talks about emotional intelligence to create awareness and empower others to show vulnerability and humanity. Today, he’s back on the show after a spark of inspiration for a chat that’ll wrap up 2022 and season 4 of The CUInsight Experience Podcast!

During our conversation, Leo and I discuss how we create space to prioritize meaningful things in life. Leo shares what he believes causes misalignment for most people as they rethink their values. He speaks on the importance of listening and engaging with members to meet their needs and then telling the story of each impact to propel the movement forward. We go through personal anecdotes we learned in our own lives that guided us to this point. Leo and I talk about purpose, fulfillment, leadership, hard decisions, and personal alignment. Listen to our conversation to better understand the meaning behind purpose and what lights you up in 2023.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Leo casts Tom Hanks in his biopic, talks about dharma, and offers words of encouragement. Enjoy my conversation with Leo Ardine!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Leo:
Leo Ardine, President and CEO of United Teletech Financial Federal Credit Unionhttps://www.utfinancial.org Leo: LinkedIn United Teletech Financial: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

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“Think, be relevant, redefine your credit union.” - Bo McDonald

Thank you for tuning in to episode 149 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Elan Credit Card. Elan partners with more than 250 credit unions to provide an outsourced credit card program, and offers merchant and mortgage services for credit union members and business owners.

My guest on today's show is Bo McDonald, Founder, President, and CEO at Your Marketing Co. Bo shares how his passion for credit unions evolved through his career journey from radio to marketing, and his newest venture, hosting a podcast. He gives powerful advice to encourage credit unions to redefine marketing and focus on relevancy and authenticity to stay ahead in this ever-changing industry.

During our conversation, Bo shares the one concept that is both a challenge for credit unions and one that he is most excited about seeing in the future of the movement. Bo tells us about his new podcast called, The Accidental Leader where he shares insights based on his experiences to help others grow in their leadership role and build a positive culture. He discusses the key to being a good leader is having a vision, looking forward, and being able to communicate the vision effectively to your team.

Bo and I chat about building and growing a team. He emphasizes the importance of empathy and maintaining the culture, especially when adding new members to the team. We discuss the future of work and the best ways to maintain a team’s culture in a hybrid or fully remote work environment. He shares the greatest investment made in his career and advises listeners who are working towards becoming a CEO to, “Invest in yourself.”

As we wrap up the show, Bo talks about an emotional yet uniting moment within a business setting. He shares how he accidentally got into real estate, the leadership books he enjoys most, and advises listeners to, “go to the concert.” Enjoy my conversation with Bo McDonald!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Bo:
Bo McDonald, Founder, President, & CEO at Your Marketing Co.bo@yourmarketingco.comhttps://yourmarketing.co/ Bo: LinkedIn | Twitter Your Marketing Co.: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram Podcast: The Accidental Leader

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“Be aware of the impact your actions have and be intentional about making those a positive impact.” - Jill Nowacki

Thank you for tuning in to episode 148 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Elan Credit Card. Elan partners with more than 250 credit unions to provide an outsourced credit card program, and offers merchant and mortgage services for credit union members and business owners.

My guest on today's show is Jill Nowacki, the President & CEO of Humanidei + O’Rourke, who also happens to be my human. In this episode, Jill and I reflect on our trip to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro for Climb Africa to benefit The ACCOSCA Academy and dive deep into DEI. We discuss the connections made on this trip and the insightful conversations we had. One of the main takeaways from the journey that Jill mentions is how interconnected we all are. She emphasizes the significance of mindfulness and being intentional in our actions because of how it truly impacts the world.

During our conversation, Jill discusses social context for the development of DEI in several systems in recent years. She explains how credit unions can better understand DEI to be a more inclusive system in society where every individual's strengths are valued, seen, and heard. Jill then dives into the strategic benefits of DEI for credit unions and their communities. She prompts teams to look at how they design an experience or a product offering and see who might be left out in order to reshape how we can reach more people.

Jill and I chat about the economic wellbeing of consumers and financial services. We talk about all things credit union when it comes to building a career including the current workforce, environment, and taking the next steps. Jill discusses the effectiveness of DEI programs and shares the value in assessing and measuring current systems beforehand. Listen to take the first step towards improved experiences that resonate and connect with more people.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Jill mentions a quirky, yet insightful habit, who plays her in a biopic and why, along with some of the books she is currently reading. Enjoy my conversation with Jill Nowacki!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

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"There is more that unites us than divides us." - Caroline Willard
Thank you for tuning in to episode 147 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Elan Credit Card. Elan partners with more than 250 credit unions to provide an outsourced credit card program, and offers merchant and mortgage services for credit union members and business owners.

My guest on today's show is Caroline Willard, President and CEO at the Cornerstone Credit Union League. She is also on the Executive Committee of the CUNA Board of Directors. Recently, Caroline and I, along with others, climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro for Climb Africa to benefit The ACCOSCA Academy. Caroline shares, “What started as an adventure, turned into becoming a better global citizen,” when discussing her takeaways from visiting the growing continent and supporting Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs). Caroline discusses all that went into this six day climb and surprisingly, while training for the physical aspect, she noticed it was much more of a challenge mentally. She explains how leadership lessons emerged through this adversity.

During our conversation, Caroline talks about a possible merger in the future and how this will benefit the efficiency and culture of the association. She also talks about the biggest challenges that credit unions are facing and how they must continue to evolve in order to overcome these challenges. Caroline connects the work of SACCOs in Africa to credit unions in the U.S and believes they are similar in mission, purpose, and the means to provide a meaningful solution.

Caroline and I chat about the greatest investment made in her career that is attributed to personal growth. We talk about the value of teams including what she looks for when adding to her team and the importance of open communication and accountability within it. As the league continues to grow, Caroline shares what has her excited and how it will benefit credit unions and their members.

As we wrap up the show, Caroline talks about what amazed her recently, watching the sun come up on Mt. Kilimanjaro, work-life balance, and an insightful piece of advice from her mother. Enjoy my conversation with Caroline Willard!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com
Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher
Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Caroline:
Caroline Willard, President and CEO at Cornerstone Credit Union League
cwillard@cornerstoneleague.coopwww.cornerstoneleague.coop Caroline: LinkedIn | Twitter Cornerstone: Facebook |

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“Keep dreaming boldly. The work this industry does matters so much." - Tansley Stearns

Thank you for tuning in to episode 146 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Elan Credit Card. Elan partners with more than 250 credit unions to provide an outsourced credit card program, and offers merchant and mortgage services for credit union members and business owners.

My guest on today's show is Tansley Stearns, President and CEO at Community Financial Credit Union. She is a Michigan native with decades of experience working with credit unions and the Filene Research Institute. Tansley and I discuss her 20-year path to the CEO chair that was once a dream and now a reality. She shares her love for credit unions and motivates the movement to change the world.

During our conversation, Tansley discusses the importance of connecting the digital experience with the personal experience to remain competitive and achieve long term success. Tansley shares the greatest investment made in her career that set the path to where she is today. She mentions the importance of relationship building and maintenance as they pertain to networking and learning. When adding a new member to her team, Tansley looks for people who are passionate about transforming financial services. She circles back to the importance of relationship building when creating a cushion as a foundation for feedback that allows for directness and transparency.

Tansley and I chat about the future of the credit union movement and what makes a good leader, including having a clear vision and a people-first approach. She talks about authenticity and being true to yourself to develop trust and build relationships, specifically during change. She expresses the validity of building a culture and truly caring for one another in and out of the office.

As we wrap up the show, Tansley talks about being in awe of her team, maintaining her personal and professional life, and reading books that give her a new outlook as a CEO. Enjoy my conversation with Tansley Stearns!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Tansley:
Tansley Stearns, President and CEO at Community Financial Credit Union
tansley@cfcu.orghttps://www.cfcu.org/ Tansley: LinkedIn Community Financial: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

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“Stop and refuel, don’t get stuck on the side of the road." - Karen Allen

Thank you for tuning in to episode 145 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Elan Credit Card. Elan partners with more than 250 credit unions to provide an outsourced credit card program, and offers merchant and mortgage services for credit union members and business owners.

My guest on today's show is Karen Allen. Karen is a TEDx speaker, founder of 100% Human, and author of Stop & Shift: The Mindset Reset That Changes Everything. She helps people develop their mental strength, shift their mindset, and embrace the imperfection of being human. Karen is also the keynote speaker for CUInsight Mini-Con: REFUEL where she will share a simple, yet powerful technique that will help us let go of negative thought cycles and move to more productive and positive thinking.

As we start the episode, Karen shares a personal experience that led her to creating this movement. We discuss the importance of intentional living and what it means to lead with a growth mindset. We also talk about life and how it can unfold outside of our control, so knowing how to respond to it, matters. Karen refers to “The Great Resignation” as “The Great Reset,” allowing people to focus and take care of their mental well-being.

During our conversation, Karen talks about how to manage our inner critic and collaborate with our inner guide. She encourages listeners to cultivate a relationship with their inner guide to reduce the noise and focus inward to lead an intentional life. Once we realign our priorities towards what matters most, we can accomplish much more. Karen gives insights on feedback and how both positive and problematic feedback can help people grow. We talk about the “now” of leadership and humanizing relationships at work to be less transactional. Listen as Karen shares the tools we need to live our dreams purposefully.

As we wrap up the show, Karen talks about being fully present in one role at a time, the book she has written along with others she enjoys, and appreciating Mamba Mentality. Enjoy my conversation with Karen Allen!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Karen:
Karen Allen, Founder of 100% Human and keynote speaker at CUInsight Mini-Con: REFUEL
karen@karenallen.cohttps://www.karenallen.co Karen: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter | YouTube Podcast: 100% Human

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“Money matters to people, but people matter to us” - Ty Muse

Thank you for tuning in to episode 144 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Elan Credit Card. Elan partners with more than 250 credit unions to provide an outsourced credit card program, and offers merchant and mortgage services for credit union members and business owners.

My guest on today's show is Ty Muse, President & CEO of Visions Federal Credit Union. Ty was the recipient of the Pete Crear Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s annual AACUC Conference. He shares two advantages of receiving this award at a young age and how it presents greater opportunities to people in the industry. Ty shares that the start of his credit union career journey was all about helping. He discusses the future of the movement and emphasizes the most important product, our people.

During our conversation, Ty expresses the significance of culture and community when attracting and retaining talent. When adding a new member to his team, Ty looks for one key attribute that makes a huge difference. He expresses his excitement when it comes to mentoring and sharing knowledge with others to continuously build and grow the credit union movement. He gives insights on what it takes to be a good leader and finds value in learning from other leaders in the industry as well.

Ty and I chat about the greatest investment he’s made in his career and how it set the tone for his future. He shares the importance of being transparent with the board to create trust and allow for diversity of thoughts. Throughout the episode, Ty also talks about communication and giving feedback along with how he feels grateful to be in this position to help people achieve their dreams every day.

As we wrap up the show, Ty talks about the powerful phrases and life lessons he learned from his dad, his favorite album of all time, and who he thinks of when he hears the word success. Enjoy my conversation with Ty Muse!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Ty:
Ty Muse, President & CEO of Visions FCU
tmuse@visionsfcu.orgwww.visionsfcu.org Ty: LinkedIn Visions FCU: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

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“Opportunities for advancement usually come from proximity." - Maurice Smith

Thank you for tuning in to episode 143 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Elan Credit Card. Elan partners with more than 250 credit unions to provide an outsourced credit card program, and offers merchant and mortgage services for credit union members and business owners.

My guests on today's show are Renée Sattiewhite and Maurice Smith who were guests on the show before. Renée is the President and CEO of the African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) and Maurice is the CEO of Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU). They joined me on a live stage, recording at the 24th annual AACUC Conference in St. Pete Beach, FL. The AACUC is a nonprofit organization set out to strengthen the global credit union community.

During our conversation, Renée and Maurice discuss the community of the credit union movement and what excites them about the future. Renée shares the key to improving the member experience through passionate service and financial awareness while Maurice discusses how our relevancy remains prevalent. We dive into the topic of small credit unions, specifically around the trend of consolidation and the effect it has on our communities. Renée and Maurice talk about what credit unions can do to grow and ensure the future of the movement is bright.

As we wrap up the show, Renée and Maurice talk about highlights from the AACUC conference, who’d play them in a biopic, and Maurice’s book about his father.. Enjoy my conversation with Renée and Maurice!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Renée:
Renée Sattiewhite, President and CEO of the African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC)
renee@aacuc.org
https://www.aacuc.org/
Renée: LinkedIn
AACUC: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

How to find Maurice:
Maurice Smith, CEO of Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU)
maurice.smith@lgfcu.org
https://www.lgfcu.org/
Maurice’s book
Maurice: LinkedIn
LGFCU: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Sowing Seeds: Life Lessons From My Father

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“As human beings, we never stop growing. We never stop evolving. And organizations should be the same." - Nick Tasler

Thank you for tuning in to episode 142 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Elan Credit Card. Elan partners with more than 250 credit unions to provide an outsourced credit card program, and offers merchant and mortgage services for credit union members and business owners.

My guest on today's show is Nick Tasler, an internationally-acclaimed thought leader, author, and keynote speaker for the upcoming CUInsight Mini-Con: GROW event on September 28. Nick is an organizational psychologist who focuses on the art and science of leadership in times of change. His timely message of courageous and creative leadership combined with his dynamic delivery style—whether onstage or virtual—has made him one of the most sought-after leadership speakers in the world.

During our conversation, Nick shares how you can turn unpredictable changes into meaningful and exciting adventures. He starts with a notion of “A Year of Wonders” that points out our ability and need to adapt. Nick expresses the importance of leading by example and evolving as we find new solutions for the situations around us. He brings up the idea of psychological distancing as it relates to leaders, allowing them to be more mindful of their actions today when reflecting on moments in the future.

Nick and I chat about what fuels innovation within groups of people. Listen as Nick shares how organizations rediscovered their core identity during the pandemic. He discusses key traits that make a great leader in today’s business world. Later in the episode, he gives insight into situational leadership, and the rise in culture-driven decisions when building a team.

As we wrap up the show, Nick talks about his family, monster ballads, and why he feels connected to Warren Buffet. Enjoy my conversation with Nick Tasler!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Nick:
Nick Tasler, Internationally-acclaimed thought leader and author
nick@nicktasler.comhttps://www.nicktasler.com/LinkedIn | Instagram | TwitterNick’s books

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“To this day, I care about nothing more than my members and my employees." - Paul Gentile

Thank you for tuning in to episode 141 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Elan Credit Card. Elan partners with more than 250 credit unions to provide an outsourced credit card program, and offers merchant and mortgage services for credit union members and business owners.

My guest on today's show is Paul Gentile, President at Merck Employees Federal Credit Union (MEFCU). Paul became familiar with credit unions while working as a journalist at the Credit Union Times. His passion for growing consumer awareness of credit unions made him an ideal fit for many leadership roles in the industry. After years of engaging with credit unions and communities, his path led him back home to New Jersey, becoming the president of MEFCU.

During our conversation, Paul discusses technology challenges credit unions face. He shares his outlook on the credit union IT landscape and the importance of evolving to avoid stagnation. Paul also talks about innovation, team interactions, and attracting new talent. He believes the credit union mission is our competitive advantage and with that we can continue to innovate and overcome technology challenges to exceed member expectations.

Paul and I chat about taking on new risks as it relates to the greatest investment he’s made in his career. He also shares three critical characteristics he looks for when building a leadership team. We discuss the value of embracing mistakes and accountability when it comes to communicating feedback. Paul gives insights on what it takes to be a good leader and how listening to your members can help you innovate and improve current systems. Later in this episode, Paul discusses the benefits of a hybrid work environment and highlights the significance of personal interactions and culture. Tune in to hear Paul talk about the increasing trend of consolidation between credit unions and leagues while emphasizing the importance of independent advocacy.

As we wrap up the show, Paul shares the best piece of advice he received from a mentor of his, the importance of family, and how Michael Jordan changed the way athletes are viewed. Enjoy my conversation with Paul Gentile!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Paul:Paul Gentile, President at Merck Credit Union
paul.gentile@merck.com
www.merckcu.com
Paul: LinkedIn

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“Everyone should be focused on a digital experience.” - Joan Opp

Thank you for tuning in to episode 140 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Elan Credit Card. Elan partners with more than 250 credit unions to provide an outsourced credit card program, and offers merchant and mortgage services for credit union members and business owners.

My guest on today's show is Joan Opp, President & CEO of Stanford Federal Credit Union. Joan started her career as a CPA, and gradually started working in the credit union industry. After years in this space, Joan is leading her team through the rapid changes happening in technology and member expectations. In this episode we chat about the future of the movement, including the one thing that all credit unions should be thinking about. She shares her thoughts on digital transformation and simplifying processes to attract members and better compete with fintechs in the market.

During our conversation, we discuss how credit unions can take traditional services and remove the “speed bumps” disrupting the member experience. Joan expresses the power of networking and the value it brings amongst the many opportunities in the industry. She also shares key characteristics that are critical when building a leadership team and how she gives feedback.

Joan offers team management insights from her time in leadership positions and as a CEO. She shares her thoughts on competing for talent; not between other credit unions in the industry, but competing with organizations in Silicon Valley. Joan emphasizes the value of the credit union mission and how it resonates with those who fit this financial space. Joan and I chat about getting past the, “This is how we’ve always done things,” mentality and discuss tips for showing people a fresh perspective to move the organization forward. Tune in to hear Joan discuss digital transformation, diversification, and team expectations.

As we wrap up the show, listen in while Joan shares which books she likes reading lately, why “Work hard. Play hard.” describes her approach to life, and which political figure she thinks is a successful person. Enjoy my conversation with Joan Opp!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Joan:Joan Opp, President & CEO of Stanford Federal Credit Union
joan@sfcu.org
https://www.sfcu.org/
Joan: LinkedIn
Stanford FCU: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Twitter

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“You have to be willing to get out there, go forward, and not worry about yesterday’s mistakes.” - Ricky Otey

Thank you for tuning in to episode 139 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Elan Credit Card. Elan partners with more than 250 credit unions to provide an outsourced credit card program, and offers merchant and mortgage services for credit union members and business owners.

My guest on today's show is Ricky Otey, President & CEO of Partners Federal Credit Union. Ricky has worked in the financial services industry as an executive for 30 years. In this episode, we chat about the professional and personal connections that can strengthen your career trajectory. He expresses excitement for the future of credit unions and shares insights on staying relevant and focused on growth. He also discusses the value of having a mentor (and also being a mentor) to receive guidance and gain greater opportunities throughout your career.

During our conversation, Ricky dives into the greatest investment he made in his career that shaped his thought process. Ricky also shares two critical questions he asks himself when building a leadership team. We discuss the importance of establishing expectations and behaviors through a feedback model; situation, behavior and impact. Ricky discusses the importance of connecting with employees and sharing strategic plans to provide clarity about the organization’s objectives.

Ricky and I chat about taking on new risks and innovating for the future. We also talk about accountability and knowing when to pull the plug on an idea. Ricky chats about the benefits of remote work; specifically, the larger talent pool and increased opportunities that credit unions can now offer future employees. Tune in to hear Ricky discuss team expectations, strategic planning, and storytelling.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Ricky shares how he finds balance in life, his favorite album of all time, and the countless lessons learned from his father. Enjoy my conversation with Ricky Otey!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Ricky:
Ricky Otey, President & CEO of Partners Federal Credit Union
theofficeoftheceo@partnersfcu.org
www.partnersfcu.org
LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

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“You can’t just build diversity, you have to bring in the equity to create an inclusive environment.” - Jill Nowacki

Thank you for tuning in to episode 138 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Allied Solutions. Allied Solutions is focused on helping clients grow their bottom line, protect their business and members, and evolve to stay ahead of the competition.

My guest on today's show is Jill Nowacki, the President & CEO of Humanidei + O’Rourke, who also happens to be my human. In this episode, we chat about intentional living from two different angles with Jill being more of a “YES” person while I am more of a “NO” person. Jill reveals how she leads an intentional life and structures it to allow her to say, “yes” more often. She discusses the importance of creating work-life integration, and we share our different views of taking space and rest. During our conversation, Jill provides her thoughts on effective leadership and highlights the significance of feedback and collaboration when making decisions.

Throughout the episode, Jill shares the impact credit unions can have in reducing the racial wealth gap and putting an end to long-term systemic inequality. Jill encourages credit union leaders to have conversations about racial inequity and be more involved in their communities to better understand the issues people are facing. She also recommends credit unions design products and services to solve these economic issues.

The conversation comes full circle as we chat about intentionality in building diverse leadership teams and boards. Jill shares the importance of creating an inclusive environment and asking “the equity question” to structure systems in a way that doesn’t favor or leave out specific groups of people. Tune in to hear Jill’s advice on positively impacting our communities, diversity, equity and inclusion, and finding a seat at the right table.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Jill and I share our laughter, stories, and curiosities. Enjoy my conversation with Jill Nowacki!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

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“Credit unions have done so much for their membership, and they continue to do more.” - Carol Marx

Thank you for tuning in to episode 137 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Allied Solutions. Allied Solutions is focused on helping clients grow their bottom line, protect their business and members, and evolve to stay ahead of the competition.

My guest on today's show is Carol Marx, President & CEO at the Hawaii Credit Union League. Carol worked in financial services for over 30 years and has recently made her way to credit unions. She expresses her excitement about taking on this role and being involved in the credit union movement. Carol talks about credit union values and how they are reflected through the work performed within communities.

During our conversation, Carol talks about credit unions being a united front and coming together to increase awareness and enhance the financial well-being of members across their communities. Carol shares her vision of success, which includes ideas of overcoming adversity, succession planning, and establishing secure housing. She also discusses the greatest investment made in her career and how it prepared her for the future. Carol and I talk about what she looks for to enhance the culture of Hawaii’s credit unions and their teams. When giving feedback, Carol suggests listening to a team member’s perspective first, then following up with a question-driven discussion that leads to a manageable solution.

Carol shares what makes a good leader and the importance of aligning the “why” of the organization with their purpose. She explains ways in which she communicates change while involving team members of all levels. Carol shares her vision of what a career in credit unions will look like in five years while continuing the important work of the credit union movement to ensure a strong future for credit unions.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Carol shares how she recharges as a CEO, the album she listens to daily, and the reason she feels her father is the personification of, “People helping people.” Enjoy my conversation with Carol Marx!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Carol:Carol Marx, President & CEO at the Hawaii Credit Union League
carol.marx@hcul.org
http://www.hcul.org/
LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram

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“We want people that are authentic, and passionate, and want to do what’s best for members.” - Jennifer D’Amico

Thank you for tuning in to episode 136 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Allied Solutions. Allied Solutions is focused on helping clients grow their bottom line, protect their business and members, and evolve to stay ahead of the competition.

My guests on today's show are Jennifer D’Amico and Randy Schultz. Jen is the VP of Marketing at Commonwealth Central Credit Union. Randy is the VP of Marketing at Strum Agency. This episode is filled with insights from two marketing experts in the credit union industry, and was recorded in front of a live audience at the 2022 MAC Conference in Chicago. Jen and Randy talk about what gets them most excited for the future of the movement including data, culture, member experience, and change.

During our conversation, Jen and Randy dive into the greatest investment made in each of their careers. Coincidentally, they share similar thoughts on how they immerse themselves in the credit union community. They express the importance of creating connections, continuing education, and sharing ideas to stay relevant in the industry. Together we chat about what to look for in building a strong team that understands the culture and the “why” of the organization.

Jen talks about taking risks in marketing and the balancing act of driving new business and showing positive results, while sharing member stories. Randy gives tips to stay up to date in marketing and speaks on the importance of shifting our mindsets. We chat about the future of the credit union movement and the need to humanize the financial services industry to attract talent.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Jen and Randy discuss work-life balance, Randy’s favorite album of all time, and the best combo: Pelotons and puppies. Enjoy my conversation with Jen and Randy!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Jen:Jennifer D’Amico, VP of Marketing at Commonwealth Central Credit Union
jdamico@wealthcu.org
https://www.wealthcu.org
LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

How to find Randy:Randy Schultz, VP of Marketing at Strum Agency
randy.schultz@strumagency.com
https://www.strumagency.com
LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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“We’re serving the underserved, doing things differently, making a difference for people.” - Whitney Anderson-Harrell

Thank you for tuning in to episode 135 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Allied Solutions. Allied Solutions is focused on helping clients grow their bottom line, protect their business and members, and evolve to stay ahead of the competition.

My guest on today's show is Whitney Anderson-Harrell, President & CEO at Elements Financial FCU in Indianapolis. Whitney shares the unique story of her career journey from teller, to outside the industry, and finally back to credit unions. She expresses her excitement about the future of the movement and what credit unions should focus on to stay relevant. She also discusses the value of having and being a mentor to gain greater insight and opportunities throughout your career.

During our conversation, Whitney dives into the big investment she made in her career that she also considers a big catalyst for change. Whitney shares that when adding a new member to her team, she looks for integrity, loyalty, and trust. She finds it important to create a healthy environment where solution-oriented conversations are encouraged. Throughout the discussion, Whitney shares her belief in challenging current ideas and listening to new ones to stay relevant and ultimately make the right decisions for members, employees, and the community.

As Elements’ newest CEO, Whitney shares how she built a foundation of trust with her leadership team through intention, direct communication, and asking questions. She finds this vital in gaining perspective and understanding what each employee values within the credit union. Whitney also finds it helpful to be direct when giving feedback and speaks on the benefits of having a direct conversation when necessary.

Whitney and I chat about how she plans on growing Elements along with the credit union movement as a whole by exceeding member expectations. Tune in to hear Whitney’s advice on when to pull the plug on an idea, balancing a hybrid work environment, technology in the credit union space, and more.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Whitney talks about her amazing family, her love of Motown, and one book she’s been reading lately. Enjoy my conversation with Whitney Anderson-Harrell!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Whitney:Whitney Anderson-Harrell, President & CEO at Elements FCU
wandersonharrell@elements.org
https://www.elements.org/
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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“Make the change, be the change, or get swept away in the current of change.” - Lucas Tindell

Thank you for tuning in to episode 134 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Allied Solutions. Allied Solutions is focused on helping clients grow their bottom line, protect their business and members, and evolve to stay ahead of the competition.

My guest on today's show is author, speaker, trainer, and business and life coach, Lucas Tindell. He is also the keynote speaker for the CUInsight Mini-Con: CHANGE event on May 25. Lucas shares how he helps people connect the dots between what they want and what it takes to achieve it. He also talks about building emotional intelligence (EQ), developing leadership skills, and creating intentionality in life and work.

As we start the episode, Lucas shares how his career began by serving his community, much like credit unions do. Lucas talks about the importance of taking control of your time and having stronger intentions than your distractions. Lucas believes emotional intelligence starts with being in control of yourself, ensuring you are able to better connect with others. He also emphasizes self-awareness, empathy, and social skills as critical components of effective leadership.

Lucas encourages leaders to be the ones who push their team up from the bottom rather than pull them from the top. He shares the importance of having a balance of system, structure, order, and vision to lead people towards a unified goal. Lucas dives into the greatest investment he’s ever made in his career and the importance of building bridges before you need them. Listen to his insights on making feedback more effective with competency and behavior markers, investing time vs. spending time, and prioritizing core relationships in a work-life balance.

As we wrap up the show, Lucas talks about the figurative keys of success, Michael Jackson’s Thriller album, and his inspirational wife. Enjoy my conversation with Lucas Tindell!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Lucas:Lucas Tindell, Author, Speaker, Trainer, and Business & Life Coach
lucas@tindelltraining.com
www.lucastindell.com
LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

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“Have confidence, have passion, and go out and conquer where you can.” - Lily Newfarmer

Thank you for tuning in to episode 133 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Allied Solutions. Allied Solutions is focused on helping clients grow their bottom line, protect their business and members, and evolve to stay ahead of the competition.

My guest on today's show is Lily Newfarmer, President & CEO of Tarrant County’s Credit Union, and also a founder and the board chair of the Credit Union Women's Leadership Alliance (CUWLA). Lily shares her unique story of getting into the credit union movement and the many life lessons she learned along the way. After time spent at the helm of Tarrant County’s Credit Union, Lily and others came together to form CUWLA in a collective effort to support women-CEOs of small credit unions.

As we start the episode, Lily shares her belief that the future of the credit union movement is in good hands with so many talented and passionate young professionals. Lily expresses her excitement about the system support that is newly offered to small credit unions (who are mostly run by women) through CUWLA and other organizations. Credit unions of all sizes should invest in training and education for their people, in Lily’s opinion. She provides good ideas for how leaders can find and provide those opportunities to their team members and notes that training is one of her biggest budget items.

When adding a new member to her team, Lily usually looks for skillset, attitude, and willingness to learn in addition to two other critical attributes. Lily and I also discuss being a good CEO, leading by example, and building a culture of vulnerability. She also shares her philosophy around the CEO-board relationship and her ability to keep her cool under pressure. Throughout the episode, Lily also chats about what has impressed and amazed her most lately, both personally and professionally.

As we wrap up the show, Lily talks about the power of love, the book she read most recently, and the best piece of advice her dad gave her. Enjoy my conversation with Lily Newfarmer!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Lily:
Lily Newfarmer, President & CEO of Tarrant County’s Credit Union
lnewfarmer@tccu-tx.com
https://www.tccu-tx.com/
LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

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“Digital transformation is about constantly reimagining how we can serve our members better.” - Mark Robnett

Thank you for tuning in to episode 132 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Allied Solutions. Allied Solutions is focused on helping clients grow their bottom line, protect their business and members, and evolve to stay ahead of the competition.

My guest on today's show is Mark Robnett, President & CEO of Justice Federal Credit Union. Mark came up through his career with a technology background. In each new role, he grew his skills and experience through continuous learning, taking on the chief executive role at the credit union in 2018. During this episode, Mark shares that he is most excited about the credit union industry’s strategic move to embrace fintech. We chat about how powerful technology is, and Mark explains the credit union’s push to use business intelligence and data analytics to better understand their members.

In this conversation, Mark talks about the ways that digital transformation should be more than just a project. He believes that technology is an equalizer, allowing smaller organizations to seem larger because of their technology, despite the cost. Mark shares about the investment in his career that has had the most impact: seeking out and collecting great mentors. He recounts the ways he opens doors for more leaders like him in return.

Throughout this episode, Mark shares lots of quotes and sayings that resonate with him. We discuss what makes a good leadership team like a good stew, and the qualities that Mark looks for in members of his team. Optimism and trust make a good leader, in Mark’s opinion. Tune in to hear his thoughts on organizational culture in a hybrid workplace, building an environment of trust, and knowing the right time to abort a new project.

As we wrap up the show, Mark shares a leader who gave him impactful advice, the recent read he recommends, and his favorite album of all time. Enjoy my conversation with Mark Robnett!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Mark:Mark Robnett, President & CEO of Justice Federal Credit Union
robnettm@jfcu.org
https://www.jfcu.org/
LinkedIn

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“A lot of people are not well-served by the financial sector, and that’s what we have to change.” - Elissa McCarter-LaBorde

Thank you for tuning in to episode 131 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Humanidei. Humanidei helps credit unions build inclusive cultures that attract, develop, and retain talent.

My guest on today's show is Elissa McCarter-LaBorde, President & CEO of the World Council of Credit Unions. She is new to the credit union industry, but spent over twenty years working in financial inclusion on a global scale. Most of her prior work was spent designing financial services for low-income populations; now, Elissa is bringing her skills and experience to credit unions across the globe. Elissa shares that she has loved to see the commitment, passion, and synergy with financial inclusion initiatives that are core to the credit union movement.

After graduate school, Elissa got her first role with a microcredit program as a debt collector in Armenia. This position deeply impacted her understanding of the relationship between people and finances. She expresses that gender distinctions, age, life cycle, financial access, and community support all factor into understanding the consumer. Elissa explains that for her, credit unison are a counterweight to banks and fintechs that have gone astray from supporting people. She shares that a business model prioritizing community reinvestment, such as the one credit unions employ, is really powerful, especially as there are many people who are both underserved or simply not well-served by the financial sector.

Elissa and I discuss financial health and inclusion, the power of people and networks, and the importance of diversity of thought in leadership. Elissa also brings up ways she approaches the art of feedback, both giving and receiving. Listen as Elissa talks about a very important early investment in her career, the “secret sauce” she thinks makes good leader, and the big footprint of credit unions across the world that has her most excited.

As we wrap up the show, Elissa shares interesting memories of a Yo-Yo Ma concert and the reasons she associates Michelle Obama with “success.” Enjoy my conversation with Elissa McCarter-LaBorde!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Elissa:
Elissa McCarter-LaBorde, President & CEO of the World Council of Credit Unions
emccarter-laborde@woccu.org
https://www.woccu.org/
LinkedIn

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“For credit unions as a whole, our industry revolves around people.” - Jim Hayes

Thank you for tuning in to episode 130 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Humanidei. Humanidei helps credit unions build inclusive cultures that attract, develop, and retain talent.

My guest on today's show is Jim Hayes, President & CEO of State Employees' Credit Union (SECU). SECU is one of the largest credit unions in the country, and Jim shares that the team is all about serving their 2.6 million members. Jim explains that while SECU has a strong technology focus, the strength of the credit union is truly in its people.

During this episode, Jim and I chat about how the people at his credit union are the exciting part, and the ways he is amazed by the team. He shares that key to his success has been surrounding himself with leaders who he considers smarter than himself. In an ideal employee, Jim looks for a team player who is more interested in team success than individual success. He remarks that he doesn’t want a team full of individual superstars and instead favors collaborative and team-focused leaders with a “we over I” mentality.

Jim and I also discuss emotional intelligence and empathy in this conversation. Jim encourages leaders to create an atmosphere where people can takes risks and feel safe to fail. Listen as Jim explains what it takes to build a strong culture and climate that helps people be successful wherever they’re going in life. He also shares his approach to giving effective feedback, his take on a remote workforce, and his approach to strong board-CEO relationships.

Tune in to hear Jim share the best advice he’s ever received, the books he recommends every leader read, and the person he thinks of first when he hears the word success. Enjoy my conversation with Jim Hayes!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Jim:
Jim Hayes, President & CEO of State Employees' Credit Union (SECU)
https://www.ncsecu.org/
LinkedIn

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“Willingness goes miles for me.” - Tiffany Ford

Thank you for tuning in to episode 129 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Humanidei. Humanidei helps credit unions build inclusive cultures that attract, develop, and retain talent.

My guest on today's show is Tiffany Ford, President & CEO of the University of Michigan Credit Union. She talks about the career switch that brought her from public accounting to credit unions. Tiffany is the recipient of the 2018 Professional of the Year Award from the Michigan Credit Union League & Affiliates (MCUL). All her insights on leadership, team culture, and more are discussed in today’s episode.

Tiffany focuses on the dynamic impact credit unions can have on the communities they serve. She shares her perspective, honing in on three attributes she looks for in a great teammate. She describes the ways she is both true to herself and the best version of herself, and explains the invaluable investment others have made in her along her journey to CEO. A solid team requires strong communication, like effective feedback that is a direct and collaborative dialogue. Tiffany gives her stories of what works for her and her team in terms of direct feedback, strong communication, and the one thing she doesn’t want to hear in an interview.

Tiffany and I discuss the future of remote work and the ways to keep culture strong no matter where employees are located. We explore how credit unions can continue to evolve, especially in technology, while upholding the mission of serving the members. This conversation gives us the chance to discuss how to can create an atmosphere where your team is willing to take risks with you. Listen as Tiffany shares her advice for new leaders on taking risks, managing the board-CEO relationship, knowing when it’s time to take vacation, and more.

Tiffany goes further in the conversation on the idea of cultivating work-life balance for her teams. She says that she starts with herself as an example, and reveals how her support systems inside and outside of her workplace play a role in reminding her of this balance. She returns that energy to those around her by identifying the potential in a person and giving back. Tune in for books she enjoys, her favorite artists, and more. Enjoy my conversation with Tiffany Ford!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Tiffany:Tiffany Ford, President & CEO of the University of Michigan Credit Union
tford@umcu.org
https://www.umcu.org/
LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

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“Surround yourself with people that complement you.” - Mike Valentine

Thank you for tuning in to episode 128 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Humanidei. Humanidei helps credit unions build inclusive cultures that attract, develop, and retain talent.

My guest on today's show is Mike Valentine, President & CEO of BCU based in Illinois. He built his credit union career over more than three decades at BCU. Mike shares the story of the ambitious start (including one very ambitious conversation) that led to him becoming the President & CEO at the credit union. BCU is one of the fastest growing credit unions in the country, and continues to grow; today, it is more than $5 billion in asset size.

Mike encourages credit union professionals to improve their collaboration and communication, and encourages credit unions to establish strong partnerships in alignment with their strategic plans. He shares his perspective on the importance of growth, and the ways it leads to opportunity. During our conversation, we also chat about emerging trends in the workforce and the need to embrace flexibility and a virtual environment to attract and retain talent.

Mike and I discuss leadership, mentorship, and giving better feedback. Together we reflect on how the organizational culture changes as teams grow. Listen as Mike shares the top traits that stand out for him in potential hires, why he looks for people who complement his skillset, and how to manage the CEO-board relationship. Mike explains that he thinks of his career as a mission more than a job, and his endeavors to promote diversity and inclusion at BCU.

Above all, Mike believes communication is critical to maintaining a good balance between work and family, along with having a partner side-by-side with him. Tune in to hear the last time he was amazed, stories about his mentors, and his advice to new CEOs in their board relations. Enjoy my conversation with Mike Valentine!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Mike:Mike Valentine, President & CEO of BCU
mike.valentine@bcu.org
https://www.bcu.org
LinkedIn | Instagram

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“Change before change is required.” - Hamza Khan

Thank you for tuning in to episode 127 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Humanidei. Humanidei helps credit unions build inclusive cultures that attract, develop, and retain talent.

My guest on today's show is Hamza Khan, a global keynote speaker and best selling author who has unique insights into the future of work. Hamza Khan’s clients have included some of the world’s most dynamic companies and organizations, including Microsoft, PepsiCo, LinkedIn, Deloitte, Salesforce, TikTok, and over 100 colleges & universities. His insights have been featured by notable media outlets such as VICE, Business Insider, and The Globe and Mail. These world-leading organizations trust Hamza to enhance human potential and optimize performance, which is why he is also the keynote speaker of our next CUInsight Mini-Con event.

Work culture switched seemingly overnight with the uproar of the global pandemic. In actuality, Hamza shares that this reinvention and disruption is a longtime coming. He shares why he considers these modern times as a Great Awakening with the Great Resignation, anti-work movements, involution movement, and more. Hamza discusses actionable insights for both employers and employees to take on a values-based approach to adapting in this new future of work.

Hamza and I chat about recovering from overachieving, hustle culture, occupational burnout, the paradigm shift in leadership, and the evolution of workforce dynamics. Hamza also reviews the core four traits that modern leaders should acquire to perform well with the changing landscape of work. He explains that the number one reason organizations fail is avoiding the changing world around them. You’ll also hear who Hamza thinks of when he hears the word success, books he thinks everyone should read, what surprised him recently, and more. Enjoy my conversation with Hamza Khan!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Hamza:Hamza Khan, global keynote speaker and bestselling author
booking@hamzakhan.ca
www.hamzakhan.ca
LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter
Hamza’s books

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“Help others reach their full potential.” - Jill Nowacki

Thank you for tuning in to episode 126 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Humanidei. Humanidei helps credit unions build inclusive cultures that attract, develop, and retain talent.

My guest on today's show is Jill Nowacki, the President & CEO of Humanidei + O’Rourke, who also happens to be my human. In this episode, Jill shares her passion for people, the knack she has for understanding people. She believes that credit unions can only get their mission right if they get their people right. Jill’s love for credit unions as tools to eradicate global poverty is reflected in the work she does to support the talent in the credit union movement.

As we dive into the episode, Jill shares about voice of the employee research, and the need for career planning. She believes that without a clear career path, employees can feel like they’re not being included in the organization. Clear performance feedback is another key that Jill explains is critical in employee development. She shares her own experiences with feedback and fostering trust in employees. Jill’s go-to in a performance discussion is to ask questions: what happened, were there clear expectations, and how are you doing personally.

Jill and I chat about teams, hiring, board members, and people reaching their full potential. Jill shares two critical components that make a good CEO, bringing insight as someone who built a career around developing people in credit unions. In this kickoff episode of season 4, you’ll hear the last time Jill was amazed, the best advice she received, and how she creates balance in life. Enjoy my conversation with Jill Nowacki!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Jill Nowacki:Jill Nowacki, President & CEO of Humanidei + O’Rourke
jill@humanidei.com
www.humanidei.com
Jill: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Medium
Humanidei: Instagram | Twitter

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“Remember, we have our paychecks because we serve our members.” - Jill Mahany

Thank you for tuning in to episode 125 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by CUES. CUES is the leading talent development solutions provider to the credit union industry. CUES is happy to announce the return of its popular online certification programs from Cornell University. Get access to Ivy-League executive education without leaving your office. Learn more at cues.org/cornell.

My guest on today's show is Jill Mahany, President & CEO at Santa Ana Federal Credit Union. In this episode, we discuss staying relevant as a small credit union, making the space for strategic thinking, and collaborating with other credit unions. Jill talks about leadership and retaining talent, both of which are particularly crucial for the credit union industry in today’s landscape. She also shares the need for bilingual staff at her credit union to better serve the Hispanic community.

Jill’s credit union journey started in 1986, and she shares her gratitude at being a part of such a wonderful industry. She talks about navigating from role to role within the same credit union. Hear Jill explain how her effort and attention to the team helped her move from accounting to interim CEO to the permanent CEO. Putting people first became a top priority for Jill as a leader.

Jill and I chat about how her team relies on their networks and bigger credit union neighbors for collaboration and support. Jill believes in surrounding herself with smarter people, and in making the space to think strategically instead of getting stuck in the weeds. Listen to Jill uncover decades of insight as a credit union leader, the person she thinks of when she hears the word success, and her favorite album of all time. Enjoy my conversation with Jill Mahany!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Jill:Jill Mahany, President & CEO at Santa Ana Federal Credit Union
jmahany@safcu.org
https://safcu.org
LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter

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“Let’s give everybody an opportunity.” - Jon Hernandez

Thank you for tuning in to episode 124 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by CUES. CUES is the leading talent development solutions provider to the credit union industry. CUES is happy to announce the return of its popular online certification programs from Cornell University. Get access to Ivy-League executive education without leaving your office. Learn more at cues.org/cornell.

My guest on today's show is Jon Hernandez, President & CEO at CalCom, Mattel, and Nikkei & Mabuhay credit unions. In this episode, we discuss ideas around collaboration, strategy execution, complementary niche markets, and developing professional talent and teams. Originally, a teenage Jon set his eyes on being a stockbroker, but he entered the credit union space after he met a chairman of a credit union. Now, Jon is leading multiple credit union teams while taking care of communities that have unique service needs.

Identifying and retaining good talent is a skill on its own. Jon is known by his peers for developing great talent within his teams that become strong contributors to the credit union space as a whole. In this episode, he explains his professional development style, and what he pays attention to when interacting with new talent. Much of his approach relies on a gut feeling, but challenging people and responding to their development as an individual are also an important part of the process.

Jon believes credit unions can truly move forward if their teams don’t get distracted by what’s impossible. In our discussion, Jon takes time to share the details of a special credit union project. Jon explains why focus groups played a crucial role in his work segmenting membership type. By helping board members understand how their actions benefit the communities they represent, everyone has an opportunity to receive the best credit union services. Enjoy my conversation with Jon Hernandez!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Jon:Jon Hernandez, President & CEO at CalCom, Mattel, Nikkei & Mabuhay CUs
jhernandez@calcomcu.org
https://www.calcomcu.org/
https://www.mattelfcu.org/
https://www.nikkeicu.org/
https://www.nikkeicu.org/about-mabuhay
LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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“Ask your members what they need.” - Linda White

Thank you for tuning in to episode 123 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by CUES. CUES is the leading talent development solutions provider to the credit union industry. CUES is happy to announce the return of its popular online certification programs from Cornell University. Get access to Ivy-League executive education without leaving your office. Learn more at cues.org/cornell.

My guest on today's show is Linda White, President & CEO at Upward Credit Union. In this episode, we chat about growing credit unions in a highly competitive financial services market, what to keep an eye on for the future of credit unions, navigating a career journey, and much more. Linda is an example of a CEO that began as a teller. She started working in the credit union space at 18 years old, and progressed past any career hiccups or uncertainties.

As someone who values advocacy, Linda opens the conversation to talk about empathy, building relationships with board members, and building a great team. She worked actively on a few credit union movement boards, participated in women-driven professional communities, and also completed the DE program, so those insights provide a backdrop to how she explains these topics. In her role, Linda focuses on advocating for others, paying-it-forward, and mentoring. All these aspects contribute to her efforts of improving the credit union field.

Not only does Linda provide actionable insight from her career journey, she also gives examples of the good and not so great moments of a long career. She expresses her thoughts on being comfortable with being uncomfortable, and knowing how to persevere. Listen to Linda talk about consistently rising to the challenge, managing life in the CEO role, and continuing to learn after years of experience. Through this discussion, Linda assures aspiring professionals that they don’t have to know everything to take on a new role. Enjoy my conversation with Linda White!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Linda:Linda White, President & CEO at Upward Credit Union
https://upwardcu.org
LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

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“Never stop listening.” - Ray Crouse

Thank you for tuning in to episode 122 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by CUES. CUES is the leading talent development solutions provider to the credit union industry. After listening to our show, be sure to register for CUES’ new online panel discussion series, Real Talk. The inaugural topic, Women in the Workforce, kicks off on November 10th. Register now at cues.org/realtalk.

My guest on today's show is Ray Crouse, President & CEO of Parsons Federal Credit Union. In this episode, we chat about building a strong culture and enhancing board relations. Ray also discusses the importance of CUSOs to the credit union ecosystem. He shares his leadership experience during the pandemic and how he successfully navigated shifts with his teams on both the east and west coasts.

Member expectations are changing as technology evolves, but Ray emphasizes how much the human aspect still matters in the industry. Ray believes that having a strong capital position does not equate to strong member service, and he shares that leaders must keep members at the forefront.

We also chat about the many digital transitions credit unions had to make in the last year and what Ray expects to happen in the industry moving forward as we explore new technologies.

As we close the show, we learn that Ray enjoys the outdoors, and taking walks allows him to clear his mind and think strategically. He dispels a leadership myth and encourages leaders to serve not just their members but the community at large. Tune in to hear Ray’s most recent purchase and his close call meeting a legendary artist. Enjoy my conversation with Ray Crouse!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Ray:Ray Crouse, President & CEO of Parsons Federal Credit Union
ray@parsonsfcu.com
https://www.parsonsfcu.org
LinkedIn | YouTube

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“What matters is what you believe you can do.” - Greg Mitchell

Thank you for tuning in to episode 121 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by CUES. CUES is the leading talent development solutions provider to the credit union industry. After listening to our show, be sure to register for CUES’ new online panel discussion series, Real Talk. The inaugural topic, Women in the Workforce, kicks off on November 10th. Register now at cues.org/realtalk.

My guest on today's show is Greg Mitchell, President & CEO of First Tech Federal Credit Union. In this episode, we chat about strategic innovation, maintaining purpose, and levels of change in transformation. We walk through Greg’s career journey from the United States Coast Guard to Credit Union CEO and the many leadership lessons he’s learned along the way.

Greg shares that First Tech’s focus is on making a material difference in the community by combining technology and relationships. We learn that innovation is not new to First Tech, as the credit union was among the first to offer online banking services. During the conversation, Greg encourages leaders to research when, where, and how members want to engage before making large investments.

As we move forward, Greg shares tips for creating strategic plans around technology and member services. He explains that credit unions can position themselves to address the digital expectations of members while maintaining the human aspect with deep insight and care. No matter the size of a credit union, the right strategy can be carried out efficiently.

Although Greg's start in the industry was not intentional, he appreciates the credit union movement for helping him discover the best version of himself as a confident leader. We learn that he enjoys the outdoors and his woodworking shop is where he finds space to think strategically. Tune in to hear what Greg is reading and his definition of a true leader. Enjoy my conversation with Greg Mitchell!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Greg:Greg Mitchell, President & CEO of First Tech FCU
greg.mitchell@firsttechfed.com
www.firsttechfed.com
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

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“We are much stronger together than we are apart.”- Gigi Hyland

Thank you for tuning in to episode 120 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at CUES. CUES is the leading talent development solutions provider to the credit union industry.

My guest on today's show is Gigi Hyland, Executive Director of The National Credit Union Foundation and no stranger to the podcast! We chat about being intentional and how leaders can refocus on their “why.” Gigi shares how she maintains purpose both personally and professionally and the importance of showing up for people where they need us the most.

We talk about intentionality and the power credit unions have to help members experience financial well-being. Gigi shares that leaders must be mindful that we all have different realities, and in order to best serve members we have to slow down and listen. She believes that we can use this global crisis to return back to our “why.”

Gigi and I also chat about her career journey and the many leadership lessons she’s learned along the way. She believes there is no one way to be a leader, and it takes a vulnerable leader to push a team forward. We discuss her introduction to credit unions through her career in law and her transition from the NCUA to The Foundation.

As we wrap up the show, we learn that Gigi enjoys nature and is an avid “birder.” Although the pandemic has been challenging, she is grateful for the opportunity to spend more time with her family and discover new skills. Listen in as Gigi describes her recent and most exciting purchase and shares encouragement in moving forward with intention as an industry. Enjoy my conversation with Gigi Hyland!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Gigi:
Gigi Hyland, Executive Director of The National Credit Union Foundationghyland@ncuf.coopwww.ncuf.coopLinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

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“If you want a great community, you have to be a part of it.” - David Miller

Thank you for tuning in to episode 119 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at CUES. CUES is the leading talent development solutions provider to the credit union industry.

My guest on today's show is David Miller, Co-founder of CUInsight. In this episode, we chat about the history of CUInsight and how it all came to be. We dive deeper into the ebbs and flows of entrepreneurship and the many leadership lessons David has learned along the way. He walks us through his career journey and shares his excitement for what’s to come.

To start the show, David discusses the idea behind CUInsight as his way to support the credit union community, create a space that connects people to resources, and embrace the culture. He stresses that the publication was not an overnight success and identifying what worked and didn’t early on helped it thrive. David believes that as a leader you have to think strategically about what to add and what to get rid of. Both are equally important for creating useful solutions.

As we move through the conversation, we learn that David likes to surround himself with a myriad of people who have shared values and are supportive to his local community. He also shares what he believes a true leader is and how those qualities can be found in many people despite their financial status. We discuss how David stays true to purpose and improvements he thinks credit union leaders can make to maintain relevance.

As we wrap up the show, we learn that David wasn’t much of a troublemaker in school but he has always been “the bridge” in his friend circles; connecting people together. Tune in to find out what David is reading, what he enjoys doing outside of his work-from-home office, and a few fun surprises. Enjoy my conversation with David Miller!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

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“We are in the business of winning with people.” - Todd Marksberry

Thank you for tuning in to episode 118 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at CUES. CUES is the leading talent development solutions provider to the credit union industry.

My guest on today's show is Todd Marksberry, President & CEO of Canvas Credit Union. In this episode, Todd shares his career journey and his take on what true leadership looks like. We also chat about innovation in serving the community and the steps he took to achieve a healthy and safe culture within his team.

As we open the show, Todd walks us through his journey of rebranding when initially taking the role of CEO. He discusses his approach to building a solid strategy and gaining buy-in from the board. He believes that with any successful rebrand, leaders should focus on improving culture and processes for both members and employees.

Todd believes that maintaining balance in his life is what helps him think strategically. In the office or in his yard, Todd shares that he is able to create solutions and think critically often by completing everyday tasks. He accredits a large portion of the work Canvas has done for the community and the successful partnerships they have built to his team. Todd believes that building strong relationships and shared goals is what keeps him purpose-driven.

As we wrap up the show, Todd encourages other leaders to remember all they have done to help members and share their stories. He believes this will help credit unions maintain their relevance in such a saturated financial services industry. During the rapid fire questions, we learned what Todd was like in high school and that he was able to travel all around the world before joining the credit union movement. Find what he did and so much more in my conversation with Todd Marksberry!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Todd:Todd Marksberry, President & CEO of Canvas Credit Union
todd@canvas.org
https://www.canvas.org/
LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

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“Great leaders are great because they put in a lot of effort.” - Paris Chevalier

Thank you for tuning in to episode 117 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at CUES. CUES is the leading talent development solutions provider to the credit union industry.

My guest on today's show is Paris Chevalier, President and CEO of South Bay Credit Union, based in California. In this episode, Paris shares her career path to CEO, the importance of supportive circles, and her thoughts on what is leading the credit union industry forward. Throughout the show, Paris provides a glimpse into what work-life integration looks like for her, tips to help empower your team, and how to manage the rapid innovation surging within the credit union space.

Paris believes CEOs need to continually focus on the big and communicate how all departments and roles work together to keep moving forward. She chats about her process to learn departments, new technology, and shared goals within the credit union. Paris relies on her marketing skills and the lessons from progressive and visionary mentors to thrive in her non-traditional career path. She attributes much of her success to her supportive circles inside and outside of the industry.

Collaboration and team development help Paris maintain purpose, and she often finds joy in helping her team discover solutions for themselves. Looking forward, Paris believes that credit unions will stay relevant because we have embraced our key differences and because our innovation comes with enthusiasm and engagement.

As we wrap up the show, Paris expresses thoughts on the “born leader” phrase and dispels other leadership myths. We learn what she was like throughout school and the reasonable trouble she got into during college. Paris shares some encouraging words for new leaders and shares who she thinks of when she hears the word “success.” Enjoy my conversation with Paris Chevalier!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Paris:Paris Chevalier, President & CEO of South Bay Credit Union
parischevalier@gmail.com
https://www.southbaycu.com
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

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“How do you show up when it matters to your members?” - Kevin Bethune

Thank you for tuning in to episode 116 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at CUES. CUES is the leading talent development solutions provider to the credit union industry.

My guest on today's show is Kevin Bethune, Founder & Chief Creative Officer at dreams • design + life. Kevin will be our keynote speaker for the upcoming CUInsight Mini-Con: GROW. In this episode, Kevin chats about his career journey and the many leadership lessons he’s learned along the way. We also dive into how credit unions can best position themselves to adapt to the digital transformation and still keep members first.

From engineering to designing, Kevin’s career journey includes a host of pivots and exploration. He shares his passion for embracing curiosity and believes multidisciplinary convergence is necessary to identify leadership potential and serve communities holistically. Kevin shares that to be a strong leader, you don’t have to be the strongest voice in the room but you must always be willing to serve.

As we dive deeper into how Kevin maintains purpose, he shares that human potential starts with understanding who the efforts and contributions are serving. Kevin says it’s easy to get consumed in market funnels and clicks, when instead, the people should remain the focus. He explains that this is something credit unions do well and what will keep them relevant in the overall financial services market. Throughout the conversation, Kevin encourages credit unions to seek opportunities that foster even better human connection and continue to give members the confidence to move forward.

During our rapid fire questions we learn what Kevin was like in high school, what he enjoys doing outside of the office, and the great people he surrounds himself with to reach the next level. As we wrap up the show, Kevin encourages leaders to ask themselves, “Where is the future going?” This answer will help executives and teams refocus on strategic thinking and prepare themselves for shifts that come along the way. Enjoy my conversation with Kevin Bethune!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Kevin:Kevin Bethune, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of dreams • design + life
hello@dreamsdesignandlife.com
www.dreamsdesignandlife.com
LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook

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“Don’t ever be afraid to challenge the status quo.” - Lauren Culp

Thank you for tuning in to episode 115 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at CUES. CUES is the leading talent development solutions provider to the credit union industry.

My guest on today's show is Lauren Culp, our very own Publisher & CEO here at CUInsight.com. In this episode, we chat about all things leadership: insights and tips for first time CEOs, leading through a global crisis, and successfully working with your board.

In terms of the board relationship, Lauren shares tools to help CEOs recognize the needs of the board and grow strong relationships while understanding their differences. She believes that a great leader should keep in contact with the board regularly, so much so that meetings become mostly a formality.

While it is not difficult to find purpose in the credit union industry, Lauren maintains purpose by asking herself, “What can I continue to do to make a measurable impact?” She believes that the pandemic has given leaders a unique way to stay connected to both members and the mission. We discuss the evolving importance of digital experience and ease of use in delivering on the credit union cornerstone of stellar member service. Lauren believes that challenging the status quo and anticipating member needs is critical to our industry’s success.

As we wrap up the show, Lauren shares insights for new CEOs and debunks a few leadership myths. We journey through Lauren’s non-traditional career path and learn about where she draws inspiration. Lauren shares activities she enjoys outside of the office that keep her recharged and who she thinks of now when she hears the word “success.” Enjoy my conversation with Lauren Culp!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

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“The best leaders listen.” - Juan Fernández Ceballos

Thank you for tuning in to episode 114 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at CUES. CUES is the leading talent development solutions provider to the credit union industry.

My guest on today's show is Juan Fernández Ceballos, President & CEO of the Credit Union Association of New Mexico. In this episode, we chat about how credit unions can continue to thrive in a congested financial space and break down barriers. Juan shares the importance of mentorship and its impact on the career journey for future leaders.

We also discuss Juan’s new role as President & CEO of CUANM. He shares his excitement as the first Latino to head a credit union association and how working at a natural-person credit union helped him understand the challenges executives and boards face daily. Juan believes the best innovations come from times of crisis and are born out of necessity. We also discuss ways credit unions and leagues can lean into more conversation and action around diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Juan encourages other league executives to build a cohesive team and leverage the credit union difference to keep both leagues and credit unions relevant. He also shares hacks for finding the right mentor and ways leaders can support young professionals in their development.

As we discuss Juan’s personal leadership style and the ways he maintains purpose, we discover his emphasis on community. We chat about the two types of leaders Juan surrounds himself with and how each group supports purpose. During the rapid-fire questions, Juan shares a very interesting story of his journey to credit unions and how it has fueled his passion for helping others. Juan shares a simple tip for leaders as we close the show, and you’ll be surprised to hear who he thinks of when he hears the word “success.” Enjoy my conversation with Juan Fernández Ceballos!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com**.

Subscribe on:** Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Juan:Juan Fernández Ceballos, President & CEO of CUANM
jfernandez@cuanm.org
https://www.cuanm.com
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook

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“Being intentional about your career also means accepting that not everything is for you.” - Jill Nowacki

Thank you for tuning in to episode 113 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation's premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

My guest on today's show is Jill Nowacki, the President & CEO of the Humanidei. In this episode, we explore ideas on strategic intentionality and integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion into company culture. Jill shares how she prioritizes purpose-driven work inside and outside of the credit union space, and hacks she’s discovered in her career journey.

The show begins with our discussion on leadership development and strategy. Jill believes that as the credit union industry moves forward, our strategies must be “people centered” and include transformational change and diverse integration. She examines what that may look like in the “perfect world” versus the “real world” and what strategies leaders should implement throughout the year.

Jill shares tips for credit union leaders who also value purpose-driven objectives. She gives her thought on how teams are influenced by purpose-driven leaders and the impact they have on productivity and culture. As we move along in the conversation, Jill shares that credit unions have the ability to change the world only if the people side is right.

We wrap up the episode with rapid fire questions and learn about how Jill’s high school experience in a small town has played a major role in the work she does today. Jill also dispels myths about leadership and reminds leaders to know, trust, and stay true to their values. Enjoy the conversation with my love, Jill Nowacki!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Jill:Jill Nowacki, President & CEO of the Humanidei
jill@humanidei.com
www.humanidei.com
LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

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“Always ask questions.” - Patty Corkery

Thank you for tuning in to episode 112 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation's premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

My guest on today's show is Patty Corkery, the recently-appointed President & CEO of the Michigan Credit Union League. In this episode, we discuss Patty’s journey from litigation attorney to league president and the leadership lessons she’s learned along the way. Patty also shares tips to help leaders think strategically and plan ahead.

Listen in as we chat with Patty about being the first female CEO in the history of Michigan Credit Union League and one of five female league CEOs across the country. Patty shares the importance of finding community personally and professionally and steps she’s taken to build and maintain those strong relationships. She believes that the credit union motto, “People helping people,” is not just about helping members but also one another.

Patty walks through her perspective on credit union consolidations and our unique position to successfully meet community needs at any size. She believes the credit union industry will stay relevant by embracing the rapid digital shifts and discovering more opportunities for engagement with virtual education and advocacy.

During the rapid-fire questions we learn what Patty was like in high school and how that shaped her career path. We also chat about an interesting opportunity Patty turned down and the impact that had on her leadership style. Take a listen to find out who Patty thinks about when she hears the word success and much more. Enjoy!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Patty:Patty Corkery, President & CEO of the Michigan Credit Union League
patty.corkery@mcul.org
https://www.mcul.org
LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

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“Do the best thing for the member.” - Laura Campbell

Thank you for tuning in to episode 111 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation's premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

My guest on the show today is Laura Campbell, the CEO of Farmers Insurance Federal Credit Union. On this episode, we talk all about the importance of creating strong relationships with your board and how to be intentional with professional and personal development. Laura shares her journey through the industry to CEO and the many leadership lessons she’s learned along the way.

Our conversation includes changes Laura and her team had to implement over the last few months as we navigate this new normal. She shares that her focus was not to find completely different solutions but to implement small shifts that would be long-lasting. Laura believes that in order to be successful moving forward she must focus on the long-term goals and make sure she keeps the member’s best interest at the forefront.

Laura also shares leadership misconceptions and how important it is to show up for your team. She put in place “town halls” that allow employees to share their suggestions and experiences with executives and each other. Laura believes it is important to create these opportunities to promote growth and team efficacy.

During the rapid-fire questions, we learn Laura loved all sports in high school, especially volleyball. She also shares her love for reading and traveling with her family. Listen to find out who she thinks about when she hears the word “success” and her favorite borrowed slogan. Enjoy my conversation with Laura Campbell!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

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"You don't have to have the biggest life to have the most successful one." - Andy Janning

Thank you for tuning in to episode 110 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation's premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

My guest on today's show is Andy Janning. Andy is a filmmaker, author, photographer, keynote speaker, and a long-time supporter and member of the credit union community. We take a deep dive into the work he is doing in collaboration with our friends over at the National Credit Union Foundation entitled “Side Effects.” We also discuss Andy’s credit union journey and how he has been able to keep his purpose constant during the pandemic.

Listen in as Andy shares with us his inspiration behind the Side Effects project and the correlation he discovered between physical health and financial well-being for cancer patients. He believes credit unions are able to “see and serve” these members in an effort to minimize their financial distress during such a difficult time.

As shifts have become more frequent, Andy shares hacks with leaders on how to manage change including blending career experiences and using them to fuel the next move. He shares questions he routinely asks himself during those moments of transition. Andy believes it is important to provide safe spaces to your colleagues and your team when “the world is weird.”

In closing the show, we find out how Andy recharges himself and what he enjoys doing with his wife and daughters in his free time. We also chat about the most recent purchases Andy made during quarantine and what he is reading to keep him inspired. Want to know who Andy thinks of when he hears the word “success?” You’ll have to tune in to find out. Enjoy my conversation with Andy Janning!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Andy:Andy Janning, Author, Photographer & Keynote Speaker
www.andyjanningphoto.com
andy@anyjanning.com
LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

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“If change is the only constant, let’s get better at it.” -Jenny Blake

Thank you for tuning in to episode 109 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation's premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

Today, my guest is Jenny Blake, author, career and business strategist, international speaker, podcaster, and the keynote for our next Mini-Con Series event, CHANGE. Listen in as we discuss pivoting, finding space to think more strategically as a leader and her ideas around being heart-centered, not only as an industry but in life.

We start the conversation with tips on moving forward as leaders and being intentional about making space to think strategically. Jenny shares that any good leader must have the ability to rethink, reimagine, recalibrate, and reflect to effectively lead a team. She believes the global pandemic forced everyone to give themselves permission to think differently and face life’s inevitable changes, both professionally and personally.

Jenny discusses the many great leaders in her community and how they exhibit servant leadership. She takes us on a deeper dive into the importance of finding like-minded peers and creating spaces that are safe and full of grace as we all navigate through this time of uncertainty. Jenny believes that this safe space is not a luxury but mandatory. She also shares her method of maintaining a generous and purpose-driven leadership style.

From the rapid-fire questions, we learn about Jenny’s most recent “aha” moment that helped her rediscover creativity. Jenny shares her insight on how podcasting has aided in her professional development and why it's a good tool for introverts. We also learn why Jenny has decided to take two words out of her vocabulary. Plus, we chat about her most recent purchase that keeps her active and where she finds joy outside of the office. Enjoy my conversation with Jenny Blake!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Jenny:Jenny Blake, Author & Founder of Pivot Method®
www.pivotmethod.com
jenny@pivotmethod.com
LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook

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“Members are also people.” -Tonita Webb

Thank you for tuning in to episode 108 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation's premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

Today I sat down with Tonita Webb, the new CEO of Verity Credit Union. We talked about her new role and her journey from the military to credit unions. We also discussed her passion for serving the underserved and creating lending practices that are more inclusive for everyone.

As we started our conversation, Tonita shared her reaction when getting the call to be the next CEO of Verity Credit Union. Listen in for Tonita’s goals for this next step and what she plans to do to help the next generation of leaders. Tonita believes life prepared credit unions for the pandemic shift and that we can stay relevant by maximizing technology.

Tonita also talks about the challenges many minority groups face when it comes to lending practices and how it fuels her passion to help the underserved. We chat about ways credit unions have the ability to fill in the gap between opportunities and those that are in need. Tonita shares the importance of teaching people to be different and allowing them to be human, and gives examples of what this looks like when leveraging member risk.

With the rapid-fire questions, we find out the oddly satisfying item Tonita’s husband purchased that she cannot live without. We discussed an opportunity Tonita said no to that she is so glad she did and what she was like in high school. We learn who Tonita thinks about when she hears the word ‘success’ and how that person has played a vital role in the development of her character. Enjoy my conversation with Tonita Webb!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Tonita:Tonita Webb, CEO of Verity Credit Union
tonita.webb@veritycu.com
www.veritycu.com
LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

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“It’s not about the income; it’s about the outcome” - Chaz Rzewnicki

Thank you for tuning in to episode 107 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

In this episode, I sit down with Chaz Rzewnicki, the President & CEO of Dover Federal Credit Union. Chaz shares his leadership journey, the reason putting people first is so important to him, and the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion for teams, credit unions, and the credit union industry.

Chaz shares pivots he made at Dover FCU during the pandemic that he believes will stick around going forward and his perspective on the unique opportunity credit unions have over the next 3 to 10 years. Chaz and I also discuss how credit unions have the ability to create solutions for the financial inequity challenges in the country and abroad.

Listen in as Chaz chats about his thirty day plan, his life’s mission, his philosophy on team development and DEI, and the importance of an intentional and inclusive culture. In the time of virtual everything, Chaz believes credit unions need to focus on technology to stay competitive and relevant in the financial services industry.

When Chaz has time off, he likes to go camping and boating with his family because it’s the one time he can shut his mind down, and you’ll be surprised to learn how many hours of sleep he usually gets per night. In the rapid fire questions, we learn some leadership myths Chaz hates hearing, his credit union journey to CEO, and who he thinks of when he hears the word ‘success.’ Enjoy my conversation with Chaz Rzewnicki.

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Chaz:Chaz Rzewnicki, President & CEO of Dover Federal Credit Union
crzewnicki@doverfcu.com
www.doverfcu.com
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

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“Be safe, be well, be kind!” - Chairman Todd M. Harper

Thank you for tuning in to episode 106 of The CUInsight Experience podcast, with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

My guest on today's show is The Honorable Todd M. Harper, Chairman of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). Chairman Harper was recently appointed to lead the NCUA Board by President Biden. We talked about what it was like when he got the nod to lead the NCUA personally, his journey to getting there, and what he wanted to be when he grew up. We also had a great conversation on the importance of DEI in credit unions.

Chairman Harper shares his F.I.R.E. philosophy on credit union regulation, what the NCUA will focus on in the next twelve months, and the first place people should start when getting ready to have the DEI conversation. Chairman Harper also talks about how he keeps up with the pace of change in the credit union space.

Chairman Harper has been lucky to have some great friends in his life, and he talks about the ones that have shaped him into who he is today. He also discusses how networking, being kind, and confident can lead you up the ranks when you are looking for a promotion. He tells us how he stays true to his purpose in his personal life and his career.

In the rapid-fire questions, we learn what Chairman Harper was like in high school and how he likes to recharge. Who was the first person who came to mind when Chairman Harper hears the word success? You'll have to listen to find out. This was a great conversation and I can't wait to do it again. Enjoy!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Chairman Harper:The Honorable Todd M. Harper, Chairman of the NCUAwww.ncua.gov
board@ncua.gov
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

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“When you create an intentional environment, people will begin to think for themselves.” -India Gary-Martin

Thank you for tuning in to episode 105 of The CUInsight Experience podcast, with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

Today we have a very special guest on the show India Gary-Martin. India’s name may be familiar to you as she was our Keynote recently at the Lead CUInsight Mini-Con Conference series. India is a nationally acclaimed Keynote speaker with over twenty-five years in financial services, and she is also a member of the Forbes Coaches Council. We discuss leadership and specifically how we can provide effective and intentional leadership to our teams that is impactful, what credit unions can do to not only stay relevant but thrive, plus so much more. Enjoy!

India shares how her global perspective has helped her when training leaders. She shares how credit unions have made ten year advancements in the last twelve months in terms of what they thought was possible. India says that if you are waiting for the world to go back to normal, you have the wrong mindset.

India speaks about what makes a strong leader and why it’s important to be an intentional leader with your team. She explains that in this new normal it allows leaders to get creative with their team about space and time concerning the average work day and what that now looks like.

We find out that India was smart but lazy in high school. Her grandfather is the person she thinks about when she hears the word success, and Stevie Wonder’s timeless album Songs in the Key of Life is the best album of all time. India believes that if we want to change the world, then the first step is to listen and seek to understand.

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find India:India Gary-Martin
LinkedIn

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“The status quo won’t work anymore.”

Thank you for tuning in to episode 104 of The CUInsight Experience podcast, with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

My guest today is Sundie Seefried, the President & CEO of Partner Colorado Credit Union. We discuss leadership and her process to innovation and taking risks, and she talks about getting buy-in for big ideas from her board that I think we can all learn from.

We also speak about cannabis banking as more and more credit unions explore that space, and as always, we wrap up the show with some rapid-fire questions that will leave you wanting more.

Sundie talks about the culture of hiring, promoting, and grooming from within Partner Colorado Credit Union and their program that helps young professionals think strategically. Sundie speaks about starting Safe Harbor Private Banking and the compliance regulations and resolutions they address with cannabis baking.

Sundie shares how she started in credit unions, even though she always wanted to be an ice cream lady. She also talks about her inspiration for taking the position as CEO and how that inspiration has changed over time. If Sundie needs to recharge, she loves to draw, oil paint, listen to audiobooks or just sit in a quiet place.

We learn Sundie liked to skip classes in high school while still maintaining straight A’s. Her favorite album of all time is Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the moon, and when she hears the word success, the first person who comes to mind is her father. She believes her father knew he had a strong, performed it well, and fulfilled his life’s mission.

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com
Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher
Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Sundie:Partner Colorado Credit Union
LinkedIn

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“Don’t be afraid to lean in and be the nerd for your members, for your team, or for the industry.” David Tuyo

Thank you for tuning in to season 3, episode 103 of The CUInsight Experience podcast, with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

My guest today is David Tuyo, the President and CEO of University Credit Union in California. David shares some amazing things he and his team at the credit union are doing and things we can all learn from. We talk about strategic thinking, some cool tips on board relations, and we dig into some leadership lessons he has learned in his career.

Listen, as David and I discuss things they implemented for COVID and will keep post-pandemic, the daily check-ins and check-outs he has with his team, and how he keeps his calendar manageable. David speaks about the rigid discipline he has in his board meetings, who he surrounds himself with, and those who have helped him in his career.

David shares the moment he knew he wanted to work in credit unions, his transition from Alabama to Los Angeles, and the stops in between. David walks us through his inspiration for taking the position with University Credit Union, and how it has transformed through the years with varying experiences..

In the rapid-fire questions, we find out that David got in trouble in high school and had to pull weeds outside the school building as a consequence. He also shares his interest in all types of music, but the Beetles and the Dave Matthews Band being his favorites, and that his golf coach is the person who exemplifies success to him. Enjoy my conversation with David!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find David:David TuyoUniversity Credit Union
LinkedIn | Twitter

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“There is always opportunity in change.”

Thank you for tuning in to season three, episode 102 of The CUInsight Experience podcast, with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

My first guest of Season three is Antonio Neves. Antonio is an internationally recognized leadership speaker, author, podcaster, and success coach and was our first keynote in the CUInsight mini-con series we launched last November. Because of the craziness, we called 2020. I wanted to get back to basics and share the stories of how leaders in our movement got to where they are and what lessons they have learned. Antonio is the first guest of the season because of his presentation at REFUEL, and since I knew I was going to reference his speech over and over, I figured we might as well hear it directly from him.

Listen as Antonio shares how he had to pivot in his career to accommodate and excel in the pandemic. He expresses the unexpected gift he received by working and being able to stay home with his family and the importance of truly and deeply reconnecting with those he cares about.

Antonio believes that if you miss the spark in your life, you need to think about what you stopped doing that got you where you are today. He explains that it is important to identify what is the most important. Antonio also discusses ‘dream jobs’ and not attaching an identity to your profession, but be ready to endorse yourself if someone should ask.

We finish up with rapid-fire questions and learn that Antonio was a jock in high school. The best album of all time is The Tribe Called Quest, The Low End Theory, and his father Al Neves is the first person who comes to mind when he hears the word success. Antonio believes there is such power in choosing how to show up with amazing ideas and thoughts that we can all learn from. Enjoy!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Antonio:Antonio Neves
Books | Podcast
Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

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“We can get what we want out of life if we are intentional about it.” Jill NowackiThank you for tuning in to episode 101 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Trellance transforming data into actionable insight for credit unions from coast to coast.

In this season's final episode, we are changing things up a little. My co-host, the one and only Jill Nowacki, and I are looking back on this crazy year and discussing the good that is often overlooked while moving forward to 2021. I share some ways that the CUInsight Experience will be new and improved for 2021.

Listen as Jill and Randy talk about bringing your whole self to work and valuing the differences among peers; the authenticity and culture each individual brings to the workplace. Jill shares some things she is excited to see happen in the next year or two, and Randy discusses how technological advances have allowed him to stay connected with credit union thought leaders.

They collectively speak about the difficulties of keeping remote team members connected to the rest of the team while maintaining the credit union's culture and how many industry leaders have successfully taken this challenge on. Jill shares a book she thinks everyone should read and some final thoughts for wrapping up the 2020 season. Randy shares some exciting news about changes to Season 3 of The CUInsight Experience and how its pivot will be bigger and even better!

Most of all, we hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday, and we will see you back here in 2021.

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Jill:Jill Nowacki, President/CEO of Humanidei
jill@humanidei.com
www.humanidei.com
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook

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“Start with the end in mind.”Thank you for tuning in to episode 100 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Trellance transforming data into actionable insight for credit unions from coast to coast.

My guest on this 100th episode was also my guest on the very first episode of The CUInsight Experience Podcast, Jim Nussle, the President, and CEO of CUNA. I was looking forward to this conversation with Jim. We intentionally kept it broad in scope when talking about credit unions and focused on the future, what credit unions are doing well, where there is room for improvement, and what challenges we face over the next few years.

Jim discusses what he sees on a national level in credit unions over the course of the pandemic and how he has grown as a leader during this time. He applauds the credit union movement for being “Financial First Responders” and consistently providing great service to members and support for each other. Jim also talks about what he believes credit unions need to change in order to enhance relevance in the future; leaning into what we do best. A year from now, Jim will be most proud of how the movement navigates and effectively responds to the redefinition of community.

Listen as Jim shares what inspired him to take the job as President & CEO of CUNA and how the inspiration has transformed over the years. “Listen, learn, help and lead,” is a phrase Jim’s team has heard him say often and he believes he’s always had the ability to make hard decisions, but he learns more every day. He talks about his prompt ability to pivot, like many leaders, and how that comes with being able to gather your team and adjust accordingly so that no one is left behind. Jim says that spending time with his family, his dog and playing guitar are some things that have kept him sane during the pandemic.

As usual, we wrap up this 100th episode with rapid-fire questions and learn that Jim was involved in everything in high school and wanted to be a lawyer and a public servant when he grew up; both of which he has accomplished. Jim says that his dad is the picture of success, and spending time with his parents during this time has become one of his greatest pleasures.

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Jim:
Jim Nussle, The President and CEO of CUNACUNAjnussle@cuna.coopTwitter | LinkedIn

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“If you make sure your boss wins, you will be successful through their success.”

Thank you for tuning in to episode 99 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Trellance transforming data into actionable insight for credit unions from coast to coast.

My guest on today's show is Nader Moghaddam, the President and CEO of Financial Partners Credit Union in California. We talked about what it takes to be a good leader, great insights into board relations, and why that CEO board relationship is so important and difficult for people just moving into the CEO role for the first time. Nader also talks about why he feels it's important to be part of the credit union system beyond his credit union's four walls, whether that's at the state or federal level.

Nader shares why his connections outside of the credit unions' four walls is so important. He feels he has grown as a leader during this pandemic, and explores the change in traditional credit union responses with work spaces and talent acquisition. Nader also speaks about how important it is to have a good relationship with the board as a C-suite leader and the ability to embrace transition through technological advances.

Listen in, as Nader discusses the motivation for taking the CEO position at Financial Partners Credit Union and how that motivation has changed with years on the job. He believes his team has done a tremendous job with their flexibility, dedication and focus throughout the year and looking forward to the next few quarters. His idea of a great day is taking off on his bike, playing pickle ball with his brother, and finishing up with a beer.

Wrapping up with the rapid-fire questions, we learn that Nader is a Pink Floyd fan; he was a shy, studious kid in boarding school, and he thought he was going to be a civil engineer when he grew up. When it comes to who he thinks of when he hears the word success, it's his father. His father lived a long life and did many things, never sitting idle. I hope you enjoy this conversation.

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Nader:Nader Moghaddam, the President and CEO of Financial Partners Credit Union
Naderm@fpcu.org
LinkedIn

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“Love what you do, and if you don’t love it, find that love.”Thank you for tuning in to episode 98 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Trellance transforming data into actionable insight for credit unions from coast to coast.

My guest on today’s show is Debbie Painter, the President and CEO of the Kentucky Credit Union League. Debbie and I talk about leadership and the communication skills it takes to be a good leader in this digital world that we are all living in. We talk about growing up in credit unions and how that swayed Debbie’s career path, and her view of looking at each position as a longer, bigger career instead of just a job. Debbie also shares some hacks for internal candidates looking for a CEO position plus much more on this episode of The CUInsight Experience.

Debbie believes that investing in membership, community, and employees are ways credit unions will stay relevant in the future. She shares some counsel on how her team stays connected during the pandemic and how her leadership has evolved with a ‘family-first approach. This has helped the KYCUL team maintain a healthy and positive atmosphere. She also shares her concerns for credit unions in this tough financial environment.

Listen as Debbie shares what inspired her to take the position at the league and how that inspiration has grown over the last two years. Debbie says that her faith enables her to make hard decisions, and seeing your position as a job and nor a career is a mistake most people make today. If she hadn’t started as a teller and worked her way up, she says she wouldn’t be where she is today.

During the rapid-fire questions, we learn that Debbie thought she would be a secretary when she grew up and the best album of all time is anything by the Bee Gees. When she hears the word success, she thinks of herself because she loves what she does and believes that if you don’t love it, you should keep looking until you find what makes you happy.

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Debbie:Debbie Painter, President and CEO of the Kentucky Credit Union League
LinkedIn
dpainter@kycul.org

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“People don’t really care what you know, they want to know that you care.”

Thank you for tuning in to episode 97 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Trellance transforming data into actionable insight for credit unions from coast to coast.

My guest on today's show is Mr. Bert J. Hash Jr., the former Presiden and CEO at MECU in Baltimore. Bert is very busy in his retirement and services on many boards and committees in his community and around the world. Bert is on the ACCOSCA Foundation board and active in the DE community in Africa. We talk about leadership, board relations, community involvement, mentoring, and what we can do better as credit unions, and so much more.

Bert shares why working with ACCOSCA is so important and what US credit unions can learn from credit unions on the African continent with relevance and maintaining a healthy pace of change in technological advances. Bert also shares the need for credit unions to the ‘unbanked’ and those who can truly benefit from services this community offers.

Listen, as Bert discusses the effects of the global pandemic on large groups of members, including people of color and middle class citizens combating systems of financial health inequity. Bert talks about what inspired him to take the position at MECU, the various boards and committees he serves, and how getting involved with these organizations was pivotal to his career.

During the rapid-fire questions, we learn that Bert was one of the top three students who would succeed after high school. Bert wanted to work in mathematics but changed his major to business after 6 months of schooling. Giving back has become more important as he's gotten older and material things have gotten less. When Bert has a day off, he and his wife go to their place in Virginia called Serenity to relax and unwind and spend time together. This is a great conversation with an even greater man. Enjoy!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Bert:Bert J. Hash Jr. former President and CEO of MECU
BHash47@gmail.com

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“A single leader doesn’t have all the answers.” - Lucy ItoThank you for tuning in to episode 96 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Trellance transforming data into actionable insight for credit unions from coast to coast.

My guest on today’s show is Lucy Ito, the President, and CEO of NASCUS, The National Associate of State Credit Union Supervisors. We talk about credit unions and the relationship with regulators because of Lucy’s interesting seat at the table and perspective on it all. She brings leaders together from both sides and has them at the same table. We talk about leadership lessons learned, staying connected in remote environments, and even Lucy’s quest to make the perfect granola.

Lucy shares how her team has maintained and enhanced their camaraderie in the virtual setting and how she has grown as a leader during the pandemic. She also discusses the nuances of leadership and remote onboarding while navigating through changes in credit union regulations in a global crisis. Lucy believes that credit unions have to adjust to consumers’ expectations to stay competitive in financial services. Lucy shares what she will be proud her team has accomplished a year from now.

When asked about leadership, Lucy shares what inspired her to take the position at NASCUS and how that inspiration has changed with gained experiences. Lucy believes that she has a collaborative leadership style, but she is also hands-off with her team allowing them to develop their decision-making skills. Lucy loves to cook when she has time to relax and recharge, and she has taken time in the last few months to perfect her granola recipe.

We finish up with the rapid-fire questions, and we learn that Lucy wanted to be a Supreme Court Justice when she grew up and listening to NPR every morning keeps her informed. Time with family has become more important, and worrying about what people think has become less. Enjoy my conversation with Lucy Ito!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Lucy:Lucy Ito, the President and CEO of NASCUS
lito@nascus.org
www.nascus.org
LinkedIn

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“Professionals have coaches, amateurs do not.” - DeeDee MyersThank you for tuning in to episode 95 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Trellance transforming data into actionable insight for credit unions from coast to coast.

My guest on this episode is Deedee Myers, Founder, and CEO of DDJ Myers. We talk about leadership lessons learned, the value of coaching, what it takes to be a good leader. We spend a lot of time making sure that we, as individuals and credit unions, are asking the right questions and the next generation of leaders that will take over when it's time to pass the baton. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Deedee.

Deedee shares her knowledge on keeping her team together during the pandemic and how she has grown as a leader during these challenging times. Deedee believes that current leaders need to make sure the next generation of leaders are ready to step up and tackle some of the challenges credit unions face today and potential obscurities that arise in the future.

Deedee talks about what inspired her to start DDJ Myers and how that inspiration has developed and transformed over the years. She speaks transparently about the mistakes she made early in her career, and the mentors that have helped her along the way. When Deedee has a day off and wants to get away, she takes her 1997 Defender Landrover out to enjoy the great outdoors.

During the rapid-fire questions, we learned that Deedee got kicked out of high school, and actually wanted to be a journalist when she grew up. Looking back over her various life experiences, Deedee is always proud to say; “Yeah, I did it.” Enjoy!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Deedee:Deedee Myers, Founder and CEO of DDJ Myers
DMyers@ddjmyers.com
ddjmyers.com
Twitter | LinkedIn

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“There is no requirement to have a formal title to be a leader.” - Larry SewellThank you for tuning in to episode 94 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Trellance transforming data into actionable insight for credit unions from coast to coast.

My guest on today’s show is Larry Sewell. Larry is the VP of Corporate Partnership and Advocacy at Together Credit Union and the new Board Chair of the African American Credit Union Coalition. We talk about all the stuff going on at AACUC and the work that Larry and his team at Together Credit Union are doing in St. Louis. He came up through the credit union ranks as a trainer and helped build leaders his entire career.

Larry shares tips on keeping his team connected with creativity and innovative strategies to stay engaged. Weekly virtual conversations assist with maintaining and increasing morale among staff and board members. Larry also discusses his new role with AACUC organization, their trajectory and the accomplishments he and the rest of the team are most proud of.

Listen as Larry speaks about what inspired him to take the position at Together Credit Union and how it has elevated his outlook on leadership and progression. “Reach consensus,” is Larry’s best known phrase and something his team hears him say many times.

During the rapid-fire questions, we learned that Larry is a Stevie Wonder fan. He wanted to be a businessman when he grew up, and his grandfather, who adopted him and his brother, is the first person who comes to mind when he hears the word “success”. From playing golf, to spending time with family, and volunteering, Larry enjoys the outdoors and assisting others in his community. Enjoy!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Larry:Larry Sewell, VP of Corporate Partnership and Advocacy at Together Credit Union and Board Chair of the African American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC)
lsewell@togethercu.org
www.togethercu.org
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
www.aacuc.org
Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn

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"There's no limit to the ways we can learn." - Shruti Miyashiro

Thank you for tuning in to episode 93 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Trellance who is transforming data into actionable insight for credit unions from coast to coast.

My guest on today's show is Shruti Miyashiro. Shruti is the President and CEO of Orange County's Credit Union. We talk about keeping teams connected in this ever-changing world and maintaining the credit union’s culture, and mission. Shruti explains why creating a culture of growth for employees is important to her and the credit union. We talk about what credit unions need to do to stay relevant with all the disruption going on in financial services.

Shruti discusses how she has grown as a leader during the pandemic, some tips on maintaining continuity when leaders on the senior management team retire and why maintaining a growth culture is important to her and her team. Shruti also speaks about what she believes credit unions need to do differently to stay competitive in financial services and what she will be proud her team has accomplished a year from now.

In the leadership and life hacks section, we find out what inspired Shruti to take the position of President and CEO of Orange County's Credit Union and how mentors have helped her career. Shruti believes that her leadership style is one of humility and confidence without arrogance, and that title matters is a common myth about leadership that needs to be debunked.

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Shruti:Shruti Miyashiro, President and CEO of Orange County’s Credit Unions
shrutim@orangecountyscu.org
www.orangecountyscu.org
Facebook | Instagram

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“It’s hard to learn being right all the time.” - Randy Salser

Thank you for tuning in to episode 92 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation's premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

My guest today is Randy Salser, the President of NAFCU Services Corporation. Listen as we talk about credit unions, leadership lessons learned, and life. Randy shares some great stuff on remote work, keeping teams connected, moving fast, and failing fast.

Randy discusses how his team at NAFCU Services is holding up during this pandemic, how he has grown as a leader while leading through a global health crisis, and the changes he has seen credit unions makeover the last six months. They are having success with virtual conferences, but he is ready for in-person conferences to resume human interaction.

In the leadership and life hacks section, we learn what inspired Randy to take the position at NAFCU Services and how the inspiration has changed over the years. Momentum is something his team has heard him say often, and Randy shares that he always could make hard decisions; he thinks he does it better now though. When he has a day off, he hangs out with his kids and travels around in their RV to his son’s laCrosse tournaments.

We learned that Randy wanted to be a professional football player as a child during the rapid-fire questions, but in high school, that changed to an archeologist. Exercise and reading have become his daily routines, and time has become more important. I think you will enjoy this conversation. Stay well and enjoy!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Randy:Randy Salser, President of NAFCU Services
rsalser@nafcu.org

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“Never let a crisis go wasted.” - Mina Worthington Thank you for tuning in to episode 91 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation's premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

Randy has Mina Worthington as his guest on the show today. She is the President and CEO of Solarity Credit Union in Yakima, Washington. We talk about digital transformation, the future of credit unions, remote work, what the workplace looks like going forward, and how to keep the credit union culture intact with all the changes.

Listen as Mina shares how she keeps her team connected during this crisis, how she has grown as a leader because of it, and the biggest changes at her credit union that she plans on carrying over once the pandemic is over. Mina also discusses how she maintains the credit union culture with everyone working remotely and what she will be most proud to have accomplished a year from now.

Additionally, Mina discusses why she took the position as President and CEO of Solarity, how the inspiration has changed, and some tips for new CEOs dealing with uncertainty. Mina also speaks about some leadership myths she wants to debunk and that she loves to spend time with her family, boating, or traveling when she has time away from the office.

In the rapid-fire questions section, we learned that Mina wanted to be a graphic designer when she grew up, she was a slacker and partier in high school, and that she loves Guns & Roses as much as I do. When she hears the word success, she thinks of her husband because of everything he has accomplished. This was a fun conversation you don't want to miss. Enjoy!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Mina:Mina Worthington, President and CEO of Solarity Credit Union
mworthington@solaritycu.org
www.solaritycu.org
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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“Connecting the mission to everyone is what we should be doing.” - Victor Corro

Thank you for tuning in to episode 90 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation's premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

My guest today is Victor Corro, President and CEO of Coopera and one of the CU DEI Collective founding members. We talk a ton about credit unions and their challenges with all the disruption going on, why diversity, equity, and inclusion are so important, and how credit unions can be the leader in this space. Victor also shared his path to where he is today and the leadership lessons he's picked up along the way, plus much more on this episode of the show.

Victor discusses why diversity, equity, and inclusion are important across the board, not just in credit unions, and how the DEI Collective got started. He also speaks about how important it is to have a strategic plan at the C-Suite level to bring diversity into their hiring practices, the changes he has seen in credit unions since the start of the pandemic, and what he will be most proud to have accomplished a year from now.

In the leadership portion, Victor shares what inspired him to take the position and Coopera, the years it took him to cultivate the ability to make hard decisions and a mistake he made early in his career. Travel is how Victor recharges, and to date, he has been to 90 countries. I’m 40 behind him. Need to get traveling again to catch-up

In the rapid-fire questions, we learned that Victor learned to speak English from U2's Joshua Tree album, and his most memorable trouble was when he parked his dad's jeep on the beach during low tide and found it floating during high tide. I enjoyed this conversation and hope you do as well.

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Victor:Victor Corro, President and CEO of Coopera
victor.corro@cooperaconsulting.com
www.cooperaconsulting.com
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook

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“Don’t give up, put it out there and be deliberate in what you want in life.” - Kathryn Davis

Thank you for tuning in to episode 89 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation's premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

My guest on this episode is Kathryn Davis. Kathryn is the President and CEO of Valley First Credit Union in California. We talk about Kathryn’s path to her current position as President and CEO, and I appreciated her willingness to talk about the struggles she had getting there. Kathryn shares some advice for others who are trying to move into the C-Suite and some advice for people who are doing the hiring.

Kathryn shares the leadership lessons she has learned on her journey. She talks about changes she has seen during the pandemic, and what she believes credit unions need to do to stay relevant going forward.

Listen as Kathryn shares why she took the position at Valley First Credit Union and how the inspiration has changed with time on the job. She speaks about how she cultivated the ability to make hard decisions, some myths about being a leader, and her mistakes on her journey to the top.

We wrap it up with rapid-fire questions and learn that Van Morrison is Kathryn’s favorite artist. She wanted to be a news anchor when she grew up before she got into credit unions, and spending time with her family is what she loves to do when she has time off. Kathryn’s final words were, “Don’t give up, put it out there and be deliberate in what you want in life.” I couldn’t have said it better, enjoy!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Kathryn:Kathryn Davis, President and CEO of Valley First Credit Union
kdavis@valleyfirstcu.org
www.valleyfirstcu.org
LinkedIn | Facebook

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“Lead with principles first and then get out of people's way.” - Brian Schools
Thank you for tuning in to episode 88 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation's premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

My guest on today's episode is Brian Schools. Brian is the President and CEO of Chartway Federal Credit Union and is someone I have been looking forward to having on the show. We talked about Chartway’s foundation and how it is one with the credit union and the importance of giving back to the communities they serve. We spoke a lot about the culture and building a team that represents the credit union's values and mission and the work that had to be done over the years to get to where they are able to execute on that during these interesting times.

Listen in as Brian speaks about the "We Promise Foundation" what it does and who it helps. He also discusses how they have built their culture over the last five years and how that has helped them during this pandemic. Brian believes that the way members are interacting with credit unions now will be the norm going forward, and talks about what credit unions need to do to stay relevant with all the disruption in the financial services sector.

Brian discusses why he took the position as CEO at Chartway and how the inspiration has changed over the years. He always could make hard decisions, but now he knows how to make them better, and he debunks some myths about being a good leader.

During the rapid-fire questions portion of the show, we learn that Brian wanted to be a pilot in the Air Force when he grew up, enjoying the ride has become more important to him as he's gotten older and his dad is the first person who comes to mind when he hears the word success. Be well and be kind are the words that Brian leaves us with, and I’ll add be safe. Enjoy! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Brian:Brian Schools, President/CEO of Chartway FCU
btschools@chartway.com
www.chartway.com
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook

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“It’s about growing and learning, and taking every opportunity that you’re afforded.” - Christina O’Brien

Thank you for tuning in to episode 87 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation's premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

Over the last few months, credit unions have had to adapt to new ways of interacting with their members. On this week’s episode, I’m talking with Christina O’Brien, President and CEO of Robins Financial Credit Union in Georgia, about how her team has “weathered the storm” and why the pandemic has changed the way members will interact with credit unions in the future.

Christina is having a great first year as President and CEO, despite having to deal with a global pandemic. Listen as she shares how she got her start in credit unions, how she’s grown as a leader during the pandemic, and what she believes credit unions need to change to stay relevant in the financial services industry. She also shares her thoughts on why credit unions can’t be afraid to change how they do business.

In the leadership and life hacks' portion of the show, Christina and I talk about her leadership style, how it has changed over the years, and what her process is for making difficult decisions. We discuss a common myth about leadership, mistakes young leaders make, and building a good team. We also learn that when Christina has a day off, she likes to unplug with her family in a boat in the middle of a lake or work on one of her many DIY home-improvement projects.

Through the rapid-fire questions, we learn that Christina wanted to be an attorney when she grew up, and that Dr. Seuss’ Oh, the Places You’ll Go! is her go-to book to give to anyone graduating high school or college. We also learn that she never seems to sing the right words to songs. Christina's final thoughts are to go for it and never turn down an opportunity given to you. This conversation was a ton of fun. Enjoy!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Joanne:Christina O’Brien, President and CEO of Robins Financial Credit Union
www.robinsfcu.org
Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

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“Save people money, increase their buying power, and enhance their lives.” - Ken Cahoon

Thank you for tuning in to episode 86 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation's premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

With more and more members opting to forgo the traditional branch experience, credit unions must be strategic in their efforts to provide great member service going forward. To learn more about how credit unions are tackling this complex issue and more, I’m sitting down with Ken Cahoon, President and CEO of Democracy Federal Credit Union in Alexandria, Virginia. Ken and I talk about many of the changes Ken has seen in credit unions and what he thinks we all need to do to stay relevant in this disruptive time, both from a member service and employee standpoint.

While relatively new to the CEO position, Ken and I talk about the struggles of leading through a crisis and what he believes is the best way to keep everyone calm and focused. Ken shares some of the work he and his team are doing to overcome many of the challenges their members are facing. We also discuss the need for credit union’s to think more holistically about their members from a financial counselor’s perspective.

Ken and I also discuss how he got to the CEO chair and what he has learned from each step along the way. He talks about why he took the position at Democracy Federal Credit Union, the phrase his team hears him say all the time, and some of the mistakes he's made along the way. He also shares an important life lesson that he learned from his father that has stuck with him to this day.

In the rapid-fire section of the show, we find out that Ken was an NFL player for a day, that he wanted to be a lawyer when he grew up, and that his dad is the first person who comes to mind when he hears the word success. Ken has a passion for his credit union and it really comes through during this conversation. Enjoy!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Ken:Ken Cahoon, President and CEO of Democracy Federal Credit Union
kcahoon@democracyfcu.org
www.democracyfcu.org
Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

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“Education is really the most powerful thing behind change.” - Joanne Todd

Thank you for tuning in to episode 85 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation's premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

Credit union leaders can learn a lot about navigating difficulty from the amazing work being done at the international level for our movement. On this week’s episode, I’m sitting down with Joanne Todd, President and CEO of the Northeast Family Federal Credit Union in Connecticut, to learn more about the importance of development work and how it has benefitted her credit union and the community they serve.

During the episode, Joanne tells us about her time working with credit unions and nonprofits in Trinidad and Tobago, Uzbekistan, Kenya, and more. We also talk about how those experiences helped to inform the work she and her team are doing to ensure their small credit union survives and thrives in this new “normal”. We also learn about the work her credit union is doing to deepen their outreach efforts to underserved communities.

Joanne and I also talk about how she got her start in credit unions at a very young age. Joanne shares what inspired her to take the position at Northeast Family Federal Credit Union, how she learned to make hard decisions, and why it’s important to have the courage to change the things that need to be changed. We also learn that Joanne loves to travel and go to flea markets when she has a day off and wants to recharge.

In the rapid-fire section of the show, we find out that Joanne wanted to be an engineer before she began her career with credit unions. She shares that she got into memorable trouble in high school by skipping school with her then boyfriend, now husband. She also shares that her mother and grandmother are the two people she thinks of when she hears the word success. I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation with Joanne!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Joanne:Joanne Todd, President and CEO of Northeast Family Credit Union
joanne@nefamily.coop
www.nefamily.coop
Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

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“We’ve got to collaborate as an industry to be able to innovate.” - Chuck Purvis

Thank you for tuning in to episode 84 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation's premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

The credit union industry is headed into an exciting period of innovation and digital transformation. As such, I’m chatting with Chuck Purvis, President and CEO of Coastal Credit Union in North Carolina, on this week’s episode about what credit unions can and should do to stay relevant, grow, and prosper in the coming years. Chuck and I also talk about the challenges he and his team at Coastal have had to overcome these last few months.

During the episode, Chuck and I discuss shifts in member service and the long-term implications, as well as the need for credit unions to collaborate as an industry on new and innovative digital platforms. Chuck also shares what he feels needs to change to keep credit unions relevant from now on and how he’s grown as a leader through this crisis.

In the leadership and life hacks portion of the show, Chuck and I talk about some of the leadership lessons he’s picked up along the way, as well as what he’s learned from a few of the setbacks. We discuss his path to Coastal, what it took to build a phenomenal executive team, and how the inspiration has changed over the years. He shares that “Git ‘er done” is his favorite saying, that leaders aren’t always the smartest people in the room, and that when he has a day off he loves to be at his lake house or on the water relaxing.

We finish up with the rapid-fire questions and find out that Chuck wanted to be an architect when he was young. He also loves any song by Rascal Flatts. He also shares that spending quality time with his family at the lake house has become more important, while things, stuff, and trips have become less. Chuck shares some very insightful final thoughts that you don't want to miss! Enjoy!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Chuck:Chuck Purvis, President and CEO of Coastal Credit Union
cpurvis@coastal24.com
www.coastal24.com
Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

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“When you see a problem, you need to find a solution.” - Brian Branch

Thank you for tuning in to episode 83 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

Across the globe, credit unions have stepped up to serve their members and communities throughout this pandemic. On this week’s show, I’m talking with Brian Branch, President and CEO of the World Council of Credit Unions or WOCCU, about the leadership role credit unions have to make changes both in the U.S. and around the world going forward. Brian and I also discuss some of the success stories he’s seeing on the global stage.

During the episode, Brian and I also discuss some of the struggles we’ll all likely feel from a global recession. He shares how his team is adapting to further engage with the global credit union community and keep conversations going. Brian also shares his thoughts on why US credit unions must be active in the global credit union community, and why he believes our current crisis is an opportunity for credit unions to build loyalty and grow their membership.

In the leadership and life hacks portion of the show, we learn about Brian’s 30-year tenure with WOCCU and how the inspiration has changed with time on the job. He tells us about developing the ability to make difficult decisions, how mentors have helped shape his career, and what people can do to get involved with WOCCU. Brian also shares a big win from early in his career with WOCCU when he helped change the credit union model in Latin America.

We learn in the rapid-fire section that Brian wanted to be a paleontologist when he grew up. We also find out that a trip to Mexico in high school inspired Brian’s love of traveling. Brain shares that he loves riding his bike or walking when he has a day off and that his favorite album of all time is Sticky Fingers by The Rolling Stones. If you have ever wondered about the global credit union community, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Brian:Brian Branch, President and CEO of WOCCU
bbranch@woccu.org
www.woccu.org
Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

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“If you want to know your community, you have to represent your community.” - Jill Nowacki

Thank you for tuning in to episode 82 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

Over the last few months, human capital, remote work, and efforts surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion have been front and center for credit unions across the country. To learn more about the important conversations and work being done in these areas, I’m sitting down with a regular guest of the show, Jill Nowacki. Jill is the Founder and CEO of Humanidei, a human capital firm serving credit unions, and also my human.

During the episode, Jill and I discuss the well-being of credit union employees and members, and how the pandemic has amplified many of the problems individuals and families are facing. We also talk about the need for credit unions to expand the economic capacity of their communities going forward, why credit unions must be willing to take a meaningful stand, and Jill’s hopes for the credit union movement over the next year.

Additionally, we also learn about Jill’s passion for credit unions and how the work she’s done over the last year has positioned her to help credit unions navigate our current work environment. We also talk about courageous leadership and taking risks, in which Jill shares an apt Chinese Proverb - “The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago; the second-best time is now”. We also talk about some leadership myths, the need for mentors and networks to help us feel normal during this crazy time, and how Jill is balancing being a CEO, teacher, and summer camp counselor.

We wrap up the show with some revamped rapid-fire questions that I made just for Jill, since she has been on the show a few times already. Jill shares that if she wasn’t working in human capital or with credit unions, she would be a novelist. She also tells us about some of her new daily routines, her current favorite song, and the book she thinks everyone should read. Jill gives us a lot to think about in this episode. Be sure to give it a listen!

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“Go slow in making long-term decisions that are hard to unwind.” - Mark Alguard

Thank you for tuning in to episode 81 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

When it comes to the future of member service, the role of traditional branches and headquarters, as well as workspaces in general, has begun to shift. On this week’s episode, I sat down with Mark Alguard, President and Director of Client Strategy at Momentum, to learn more about how the global pandemic and trends around remote work are transforming the way credit unions will likely look and operate in the future.

Mark and I chat about many of the facilities challenges credit unions are currently facing, as well as the short and long-term trends in planning, designing, and building. We also discuss effective strategies to drive technology solutions, the need to think deeper about the branch as an experience, and how member’s expectations of credit unions are changing. Mark also shares his thoughts on how credit unions can remain competitive despite so much disruption.

In the leadership and life hacks portion of the show, Mark shares what inspired him to take the job and how that inspiration has changed over the course of the last year. We talk about the need to practice making difficult decisions, developing friendships with your team, and why it’s important for young leaders to be vulnerable. We also learn about his passion for high altitude hiking and how it helps him recharge after a long week at the office.

As always, we wrap up with the rapid-fire section of the show. Mark shares that he was a bit of an underachiever in high school, but that it didn’t stop him from reaching his dream of becoming a businessman. He also tells us about his favorite book by Charles Dickens, why he thinks it’s important to spend time with family, and the TV personality/gardener he thinks of when he hears the word success. There’s a lot of great stuff in this conversation that you won’t want to miss. Enjoy!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Mark:Mark Alguard, President and Director of Client Strategy at Momentum
malguard@momentumbuilds.com
hwww.momentumbuilds.com/
LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter

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“The best decisions are made when you include others in your processing.” - Monica Davy

Thank you for tuning in to episode 80 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

Over the last few months, there have been many important conversations in the credit union industry about the diverse needs of credit union members and employees. At the center of many of those conversations is Monica Davy, Director of the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion at the NCUA. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Monica on this week’s episode to learn more about the work she and her team have been doing over the last four years at the NCUA, and how that work has uniquely positioned them to lead the diversity, equity, and inclusion conversation through not only a global pandemic, but also the death of George Floyd and the resulting social protests.

Monica and I discuss organizational issues facing DEI, and some tactics that credit union leaders can use to ensure accountability from the top-down. We also chat about best practices for creating inclusive opportunities and safe spaces; the responsibility credit unions have to address issues of racial inequality in their communities; and the need to infuse diverse, innovative thinking into credit union board rooms.

In the leadership and life hacks portion of our conversation, we learn about Monica’s time at the Internal Revenue Service, her transition to the NCUA, and what she finds most fulfilling about her current role. Monica and I also talk about the difference between mentors and sponsors, overcoming self-doubt, and the neighborhood dance parties she’s put on during quarantine.

We discuss how spending time with her family has become more important, and having a clean house has become less. Monica also tells us about her son’s resilience and perseverance through various medical issues and why he is the first person she thinks of when she hears the word success. Monica outlines so many ideas and actionable steps for credit union throughout the episode that you won’t want to miss. Give it a listen!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Monica:monicadavy@ncua.gov
www.ncua.gov
LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter

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“Time, experience, and a willingness to learn, that’s the bridge from here to where you’re trying to go.” - James Wileman

Thank you for tuning in to episode 79 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

Credit unions across the country have been extremely agile over the last few months in responding to various service challenges and a whole host of other difficulties. In chatting with James Wileman, President and CEO of Credit Union 1 in Alaska and this week’s podcast guest, I’ve gained some perspective into how he and his team have fast-tracked essential projects that typically would have taken them 6 months in 6 days. We also discuss the work they’re doing to better serve their members and the state of Alaska now and going forward.

In expanding services to meet members' needs, James and I discuss the partnerships their credit union has formed with state-led agencies to provide relief to small businesses in the communities they serve. James also shares his belief that credit unions must be proactive in finding new opportunities to serve their members, as well as discusses pivoting their long-term service strategy to better accommodate members in this new normal.

During the episode, we also discuss how James came to lead the team at Credit Union 1, what he's learned from hardship in his career, and why you shouldn't “carry the boat anchor for longer than you need to”. James also tells us about the amazing team he has at Credit Union 1, as well as the network of peers and mentors who have helped guide him over the years.

While James admits that he sucks at work-life balance, we learn that he loves to go camping with his family to recharge. He also shares that he’s always wanted to go to space, loves the L.A. Lakers, and encourages everyone to read books by professional athletes and coaches to learn more about teamwork. I hope you find some life lessons that resonate with you in this episode. Enjoy!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find James:James Wileman
www.cu1.org
LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

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“We’re here for one purpose, and that’s to serve our members, serve one another well, and to serve our communities.” - Marsha Majors

Thank you for tuning in to episode 78 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

In today’s environment of remote work and social change, what is your credit union doing to ensure your members and employees feel welcome, heard, and well taken care of? On this week’s show, I’m sitting down with Marsha Majors, President and CEO of US Eagle Federal Credit Union in New Mexico, to learn more about how she’s leading her credit union through not only this global pandemic, but also George Floyd’s death and the social upheaval that has followed in communities across the country.

To that end, we discuss how important it has been for Marsh to continually communicate and reiterate the vision and values of US Eagle Federal Credit Union to her team and members through it all. Marsha also talks about the need to build trust and educate members in this new environment to help them feel safe and ensure a smooth transition to more efficient services channels. We also chat about why she thinks credit unions must be better about advocating for themselves going forward.

Also in the episode, Marsha and I discuss how she’s using her position as President and CEO to inspire and mentor young girls and women, and why she chooses to lead by example. Additionally, she shares her useful methodology for making difficult decisions, discusses the mistakes she sees young leaders making today, and details some of the ways her mentors have helped her in her career and how she is paying it forward by mentoring the young people of her community.

In the final portion of our conversation, we learned that Marsha wanted to be a teacher when she was growing up and likes to listen to mellow music. She shares that the COVID-19 crisis has really forced her to stop and smell the roses, and appreciate the people in her life. I hope you enjoy this fantastic conversation!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Marsha:Marsha Majors
MMajors@useagle.org
www.useagle.org
Marsha Majors
LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter

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“We go where the banks can’t and won’t, and we should own that.” - Cathie Mahon

Thank you for tuning in to episode 77 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

For many low and moderate-income families across the country, Community Development Credit Unions (CDCUs) have been a vital support system throughout the COVID-19 crisis and resulting recession. On this week’s episode, Cathie Mahon, President and CEO of Inclusiv, and I dig into the importance of Community Development Credit Unions from coast to coast, as well as discuss the amazing work Inclusiv is doing to support these credit unions and their members now and going forward.

During our conversation, Cathie and I talk about many of the challenges and fragile dynamics that come with serving low-income households. She shares some of the incredible ways CDCUs have responded during the crisis to ensure their members have access to their funds and accounts. We also discuss why credit unions need to be more aggressive in reaching out to and serving unbanked individuals, and how this crisis is helping Inclusiv to build and maintain a more robust network of credit unions.

From there, Cathie and I chat at length about why she took the position at Inclusiv, how the inspiration has changed over the years, and why “perfect is the enemy of the good”. We also talk about building trust as a leader, what she’s learned from her mentors, and some of the things she does to unwind.

During the show’s rapid-fire section, we learn that Cathie was a bit of a troublemaker in high school and that she wanted to be a journalist when she grew up. She also shares some of her favorite books, including one she recently finished, and explains why Bill Clinton is the first person to come to mind when she hears the word success.

It was a blast getting to know Cathie better, and I hope to be able to cross paths with her again soon so we can continue this great conversation. Enjoy!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List How to find Cathie:Cathie Mahon
cathie.mahon@inclusiv.org
https://www.inclusiv.org
Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

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“Focus on what matters, where it matters, and where you can make the most impact.” - James Schenck

Thank you for tuning in to episode 76 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

While many credit unions contemplate the future of service for their members, PenFed Credit Union has been able to leverage their remote infrastructure to thrive in an otherwise chaotic environment. On this week’s episode, I’m sitting down with James Schenck, President and CEO of PenFed Credit Union, to learn more about his team’s strategic approach to digital service; how that has prepared the PenFed team to face hurricanes, blizzards, and even pandemics; and why credit unions are perfectly positioned to serve Main Street America.

During our discussion, James and I discuss how his team has seamlessly transitioned to remote work since the start of COVID-19. We also talk about James’ recent article in Forbes about effectively communicating with your team. James also shares his thoughts on the future of credit unions, playing the long-game, and giving back to the community.

In the leadership and life hacks section, James and I discuss his transition from a military career as a helicopter pilot to President and CEO of the largest credit union. We chat about how the inspiration has changed since he started, the need to be empathetic and listen, his father’s advice to lift books not weights, and more. He also shares that he yells "I Love Working Here!" at the start and end of his work day.

We close out the episode with some fun, rapid-fire questions about James’ personal life. We learn that he used to work a multitude of jobs in high school, earned his pilot licence at the age of 17, and that he is energized by being around people. This was a great conversation that I’m sure you’ll enjoy! Be sure to hit play and give it a listen.

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find James:James Schenck, President and CEO of PenFed Credit Union
james.schenck@penfed.org
https://www.penfed.org
https://penfedfoundation.org
Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

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“Life is too short to be somewhere where you’re not 100% all in.” - Mary Beth Spuck

Thank you for tuning in to episode 75 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

While credit unions remain focused on safely providing much-needed services for their members, many leaders are beginning to think about how they can adapt their credit union to our rapidly changing world. On this week’s episode, I’m chatting with Mary Beth Spuck, President and CEO of Resource One Credit Union in Dallas, Texas, about some of the opportunities and service options that she and her team are thinking through, including an intriguing subscription-based fee model.

Mary Beth and I discuss how she is putting her experience with the NCUF’s DE Program to good use helping her team think more holistically about their members, service channels, and cooperatives in general during this time. We also explore Mary Beth’s thoughts about member interactions post-COVID, potential changes to our current financial model, and her credit union’s above-and-beyond approach to service.

In discussing her professional life, Mary Beth and I chat about why she took the position at Resource One Credit Union and how the inspiration has changed over the years. She reminds us to be authentic to ourselves, and shares how her network of mentors have helped her throughout her career. Mary Beth and I also talk about her new found love for biking when she has a day off and needs to recharge.

During the rapid-fire questions portion of the show, Mary Beth tells us about a time she went “hooky-bobbing” with a friend as a child. We also learn that she wanted to be a translator when she grew up, that she views her grandmother as the epitome of success, and that she’s trying to spend more time by the pool these days. This conversation was a blast for me! I hope you enjoy it!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Mary Beth:Mary Beth Spuck, President and CEO of Resource One Credit Union
marybeth.spuck@r1cu.org
www.r1cu.org
Facebook | LinkedIn

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“It’s not just about the work you do, it’s about the people you impact.” - Mark Arnold

Thank you for tuning in to episode 74 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

In the midst of a crisis, it can be difficult to balance member’s immediate needs with the long-term plans and goals for your brand. To discuss this challenge and more, I sat down with Mark Arnold, Founder and CEO of On The Mark Strategies and long-time contributor to CUInsight. Mark and his team have a ton of experience helping credit unions across the country align their marketing and strategic planning efforts with their values to build trust and relevancy in their community.

During our conversation, Mark shares some important themes he thinks credit unions should keep in mind when communicating with their members and teams. We also discuss why Mark believes marketing will never be the same following COVID-19, and what credit unions should be doing to build a brand that’s “consistent, clear, and unique” going forward. His recommendation is to start by writing down what makes your credit union different in six or less words.

Mark and I also talk about his path to starting his own business and some of the difficult career decisions he had to make along the way. He shares that leadership can get lonely, which is why it’s important to build a network of people you can tap into for advice and more. We also chat about mentors, a typical workday, and Mark’s love of running.

As usual, we finish with the rapid-fire questions, where we learn that Mark wanted to be a writer when he grew up. He also tells us about the first time he got into trouble as a child, the books he thinks everyone should read, and that his dad is the person he thinks of when he hears the word success. You don't want to miss this episode!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Mark:Mark Arnold, Founder and CEO of On The Marks Strategies
mark@markarnold.com
www.markarnold.com
Twitter | LinkedIn

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“Each interaction is meaningful and you should live each to the fullest.” - April Clobes

Thank you for tuning in to episode 73 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

Over the last few weeks, credit unions across the county have had to make major changes to how they serve their members and community. On this week’s episode, I sat down with April Clobes, President and CEO of Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, to discuss how she and her team have been able to successfully navigate this interesting experience for their members.

In thinking about the challenges we’ve faced, April and I discuss some of the unique ways MSUFCU is working to keep their team motivated and engaged with their mission, while at the same time providing a robust digital service experience for their members. April shares that she attributes a lot of the team’s success to the strong culture the credit union has developed over the years. She believes this will continue to play a pivotal role over the next year as her team, and the credit union industry as a whole, begins thinking about and “creating new normals” of service for the future.

Delving into April’s role as a leader and long-time credit union employee, we talk about her somewhat unlikely path from marketing executive to CEO, and how the inspiration has changed over the years, especially given our current circumstances. Drawing on those experiences, April shares some of the lessons and myths she’s learned about leadership, and reminds us not to be afraid to do a zig and zag from time to time in order to keep learning and growing.

In the rapid-fire questions section, we learn that April is a Starbucks fanatic, who loves to read and enjoys spending time with family and friends in her spare time. In her final ask, she encourages us not to be afraid to collaborate and discuss ideas with other credit unions. You don’t want to miss this great episode!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find April:April Clobes, President and CEO of Michigan State University Federal Credit Union april.clobes@msufcu.org
www.msufcu.org
LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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“You can’t manage what you can’t monitor.” - Keith Monson

Thank you for tuning in to episode 72 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

As credit unions grapple with the impact of COVID-19, navigating the complexities surrounding risk and compliance has been a perpetual sticking point for many executives. To learn more about some of the most pressing issues credit unions are facing and what we can expect to see in the future, I sat down with Keith Monson, Chief Risk Officer of CSI. Keith has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to rules and regulations, the Bank Secrecy Act, and scams.

During the episode, Keith and I talk in depth about how credit unions are handling potential fraud issues, like members wearing masks into the branch; best practices for ensuring member security; and regulatory relief. We also chat about the significant increase in digital service usage due to COVID-19, and how credit unions will need to adjust their digital footprint to accommodate demand going forward.

Additionally, in the leadership and life hacks section, Keith and I spend some time talking about the collaborative leadership style he learned from his first mentor, his approach to decision making, and why he thinks it’s important to always be learning. Keith shares an important piece of advice he learned early in his career and how his mentors have helped guide him through his daily work.

Of course, we finish up the episode with the rapid-fire questions, where we learn that Keith was once a basketball referee, one of his favorite albums is by Def Leppard, and who he thinks of when he hears the word success. This is a great episode that you don’t want to miss, especially when you hear Keith’s final thoughts for the listeners.

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Keith:Keith Monson, Chief Risk Officer of CSI
keith.monson@csiweb.com
www.csiweb.com
Facebook | Twitter

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“Go slow to go smooth, because smooth is fast.” - Carrie Birkhofer

Thank you for tuning in to episode 71 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

At certain points in your life, you’ve likely felt lost or unfocused. It’s in times like these that you learn a lot about yourself, according to Carrie Birkhofer, President and CEO of Bay Federal Credit Union and this week’s guest on the podcast. Throughout the episode, Carrie and I explore her experience as a credit union leader and the co-founder of an executive coaching firm, and discuss some of the biggest things she’s learned about leadership and building culture from her team, past mentors, and other credit unions, as well as her own life and struggles.

In the first part of the episode, Carrie and I really dig into some of the lessons she and her team have learned about humility and decision making during the COVID-19 crisis. She also shares with us some of the tremendous opportunities that she believes credit unions have to lead and grow right now and her hopes for the future following COVID-19.

Additionally, Carrie tells us about a unique executive coaching opportunity on Necker Island, Richard Branson’s private island. We also explore her path to becoming the CEO of Bay Federal Credit Union, some common myths about being a leader, the excitement of being a young leader, and more in the leadership and life hacks’ portion of the show.

Finally, we finish up with some rapid-fire questions that let us dig a little deeper into who Carrie is, like her favorite albums of all time, the books she thinks everyone should read, and who she thinks about when she hears the word success. You definitely don’t want to miss this interview, so hit play and enjoy.

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Carrie:Carrie Birkhofer, President and CEO of Bay Federal Credit Union
cbirkhofer@bayfed.com
www.bayfed.com
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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“Everybody makes mistakes, sometimes you just have to laugh at things and not be scared to try.” - Denise Stevens

Thank you for tuning in to episode 70 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

Whether it’s grocery delivery, UberEats, or Amazon Prime, consumers are rapidly adapting to new, online methods of service and delivery in order to protect their health and well being. Likewise, many credit unions are seeing a dramatic rise in contactless payments via Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, etc. To learn more about what this might mean for the future of payments, I’m talking with Denise Stevens, Chief Product Officer at PSCU, on this week’s episode.

Denise and I dig into the changing nature of payments and what it means for credit unions, and how PSCU has been on the leading edge of the transformation since before COVID-19. Denise also shares some insights into our current situation, specifically fraud prevention efforts, as well as discusses some of the exciting new payment features her team is exploring in light of our current situation.

During the leadership and life hacks portion, Denise and I chat about her approach to leadership, the strategy she uses to make difficult decisions, and why she believes that humor is one of the best tools that leaders have in their arsenal. We also talk about some of the mistakes she made as a young leader, what she’s learned from her mentors, and why it’s so important to lean on your network when you’re feeling lost - especially following the birth of a child.

We have some fun with the rapid-fire questions, as we learn more about Denise's career aspirations growing up, her morning reflection routine, and her favorite albums/bands of all time. You definitely don’t want to miss this great interview. Be sure to give it a listen!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Denise:
Denise Stevens, Chief Product Officer at PSCU
dstevens@pscu.com
www.pscu.com
LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter

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"My happiness and enjoyment for doing what I do has to exceed just getting a paycheck.” - Bo McDonald

Thank you for tuning in to episode 69 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

On this week’s episode, I’m exploring relevancy and strategic planning with my colleague and long-time friend, Bo McDonald. As President and CEO of Your Marketing Co., Bo has a ton of experience and knowledge helping credit unions, both large and small, refocus their marketing and member service efforts in order to stand out in the crowded financial landscape.

Throughout the episode, Bo and I discuss what he’s learned about remaining relevant and creating lasting, meaningful relationships since founding Your Marketing Co. over 12 years ago. Bo shares how he has been able to translate those powerful lessons into helping credit unions, as well as his own business, find their why, define their ideal member/client, and develop a culture of service and empathy.

Additionally, Bo and I discuss how his leadership style has been influenced and changed by those around him, starting with his time as a radio DJ up to now, and how the many mistakes he’s made along the way have helped him become a better leader and teacher for his employees. We also talk about making difficult decisions, common myths about leadership, and taking a risk. Recalling his favorite piece of advice, he reminds us that “can’t, never did a thing”.

We finish up with the rapid-fire questions, where Bo shares what he wanted to be when he grew up, what has become more and less important in his life, and what credit union leader he thinks of when he hears the word success. I hope you enjoy this great episode and maybe even get a few chuckles from our conversation.

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Bo:

Bo Mcdonald, President and CEO of Your Marketing Co.
bo@yourmarketingco.com
www.yourmarketing.co
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

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“Don’t let fear dictate how you make your decisions and how you lead.” - Lisa BrownThank you for tuning in to episode 68 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

Navigating a major crisis can be difficult, especially when it has the potential to affect both your member’s personal and financial health. On this week’s episode, I sat down with Lisa Brown, President and CEO of Tallahassee-Leon Federal Credit Union, to learn more about how her team is rethinking member service in the face of this crisis, applying lessons learned from the last recession, and working directly with members to develop a business strategy for the next 11 - 18 months.

During our discussion, Lisa talk about how her team was able to open a branch in just five days to provide drive-thru service to at-risk members in a nearby community, while also managing the stress of implementing an emergency pandemic plan. With that in mind, she also shared some of the internal mantras she uses to stay focused and make hard decisions. On her toughest days, she often likes to remind herself that “this is what separates the men from the boys.”

Additionally, Lisa and I discuss her hopes for a healthy future, overcoming the struggles of being a type A personality, and what she believes all good leaders need to learn to be successful. We also talk about her new found appreciation for free time and what she’s doing to fill that time, which may include some chickens in the near future.

We wrap up our conversation with the rapid-fire portion of the episode, where we learn a little more about Lisa’s busy life outside of credit unions, her daily routines, and her definition of success. You can feel Lisa’s passion for credit unions, her community, and her family throughout the entire episode. You won’t want to miss it!
Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List How to find Lisa:Lisa Brown, President and CEO of Tallahassee-Leon Federal Union
lisabrown@tlfcu.org
www.tlfcu.org
Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter

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“When we understand the big picture, we can apply those lessons learned.” - Pete Hilger

Thank you for tuning in to episode 67 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

When it comes to digital transformation, how do you stay ahead of the pace of change, while also providing value? What role can digital technology and data play in the success of the credit union industry? To answer all that and more, I sat down with Pete Hilger, CEO and President of Allied Solutions, to chat about his company’s shift from solely a distribution/manufacturing business to a booming service and technology company.

Throughout the episode, Pete and I discuss many of the challenges Allied Solutions has had to overcome to remain relevant, including modernizing their core platform, investing in meaningful service solutions, and diversifying their business. Pete also shares how they’ve been able to build a “better and bigger, NOT bigger and better” business and work environment, while remaining true to their roots and culture.

Additionally, we learn about Pete’s time in the military and how those experiences, among others, helped get him to where he is today. We also talk about the leadership lessons he’s learned over the years, the mentors he’s had along the way, and the need to let go and trust your employees.

As usual, we wrap up with the rapid-fire questions, where Pete gives us a glimpse into his day, chats about what he does to recharge, and tells us about his rigorous daily workout routine - I get tired just thinking about it. Be sure to give this episode a listen!

Find the full show notes on: cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List How to find Pete:Pete Hilger, CEO and President of Allied Solutions
pete.hilger@alliedsolutions.net
www.alliedsolutions.net
LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter

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“Confidence is the key to all things in life.” - Carrie HuntThank you for tuning in to episode 66 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, Co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at CO-OP Financial Services. CO-OP is your trusted payment processing partner whose mission is to drive the credit union movement forward.
On this week’s episode, I’m discussing the current state of credit union advocacy efforts with Carrie Hunt, Executive Vice President of Government Affairs and General Council for the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU). During our conversation, we talk about some of the major advocacy challenges she and her team are facing, including gridlock, disruptions to the industry, and outside players, and why credit unions shouldn’t be afraid to join the fight.

While Carrie says we have some tough challenges ahead of us as an industry, It’s out of those challenges that opportunities arise. She’s seen it happen numerous times throughout her career at NAFCU, and it’s what motivates her and her team to keep pushing forward.

Carrie and I also chat about leadership and making tough decisions. She shares with us some of the things she’s learned as both a leader and manager, as well as some of the mistakes she made as a young leader. We also discuss how mentors have helped her in her career and personal life and the best advice she’s ever received - have fun!

Additionally, during the rapid-fire questions part of the interview, Carrie shares a super funny story about the first time she got into memorable trouble, what she wanted to be when she grew up, and more. You won’t want to miss it!

Find the full show notes on: cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Carrie:
Carrie Hunt, EVP of Government Affairs and General Counsel for NAFCU
chunt@nafcu.org
www.nafcu.org
Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

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“If there weren’t hard decisions in companies, we wouldn’t need leaders.” - Todd Clark
Thank you for tuning in to episode 65 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at CO-OP Financial Services. CO-OP is your trusted payment processing partner whose mission is to drive the credit union movement forward.

In this episode, I sit down with Todd Clark, President and CEO of CO-OP Financial Services, to discuss CO-OP’s digital platform, the future of credit unions, and the importance of building great teams. We also discuss why he took the position with CO-OP and some of the innovative new services and upgrades being rolled out in the next few months.

Additionally, Todd talks about how CO-OP is working to stay ahead of the pace of change in our industry and assist credit unions, large and smaller, with their service needs. As someone who’s worked with a variety of credit unions, he says that size doesn’t necessarily mean sophistication, especially when it comes to technology. Fortunately, CO-OP is here to help credit unions adapt to the fast-paced digital ecosystem, he says.

Tune in as Todd discusses how his technical background, experience as a startup founder, and collaborative leadership style has helped guide CO-OP and their vision for the future. We also get to hear about the lessons he’s learned over the years, what’s become more important to him over the years, and who he thinks of when he hears the word success.

Todd has helped make a lot of changes since he started at CO-OP, and he isn’t finished yet. Listen along as he shares all the things that are in the works to push credit unions and their members into the digital age. You won’t be disappointed!

Find the full show notes on: cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Todd:Todd Clark, President and CEO of CO-OP Financial Services
www.co-opfs.org
todd.clark@coop.org
LinkedIn | Twitter

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“Leaders can come from all walks of life, all levels of experience, and all different backgrounds.” - Jill NowackiThank you for tuning in to episode 64 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at CO-OP Financial Services. CO-OP is your trusted payment processing partner whose mission is to drive the credit union movement forward.

In this episode, I’m discussing changing trends in the workplace and the war for talent with Jill Nowacki, Founder and President/CEO of Humanidei, a firm specializing in providing human capital solutions for credit unions. A regular guest on the show, as well as my human, Jill and I discuss an intriguing new report from Accenture and the different perceptions in the workplace between people in leadership positions and their employees.

Listen in as Jill shares her thoughts on flexible work environments for employees; the need for diversity, equity, and inclusion in recruiting; and attracting and retaining talented leaders. We also talk about the need for credit unions to source talent differently, and how Humanidei is helping to position credit unions as the “destination of choice” for employees.

Additionally, in the Leadership and Life Hacks section of the podcast, Jill and I chat about the importance of credit unions in regards to economic capacity, building a business from scratch, and why Jill believes everyone she meets is a mentor. You won’t want to miss out on this informative and very entertaining conversation. Enjoy!
Find the full show notes on: cuinsight.com Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List How to find Jill:Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei
jill@humanidei.com
www.humanidei.com
LinkedIn | Twitter | Humanidei on Twitter | Instagram

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“Connect, slow down, and show that you care, that’s where the magic can happen.” - Joe Hearn
Thank you for tuning in to episode 63 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at CO-OP Financial Services. CO-OP is your trusted payment processing partner whose mission is to drive the credit union movement forward.

In today’s episode, I’m talking with Joe Hearn, President and CEO of Dupaco Community Credit Union in Dubuque, Iowa. I had the opportunity to sit down with Joe at the recent CUES Symposium to learn more about the big things he and the team at Dupaco are doing in their community, as well as discuss their heart-centered approach to serving members and onboarding employees.

Joe is a board member of CUES and was recently inducted in the CUES Hall of Fame, which he laughingly calls the ‘old timers’ club. He shares about his journey to the CUES board and the C-suite, and what inspired him to take the position on the board at almost the same time he started as CEO of Dupaco. Fate is an amazing thing he says, and sometimes you just have to be open to the opportunities you are given and grab onto them.

Listen as Joe speaks about his background as a marketer and how that has influenced his leadership style. He tells us about the mistakes he made as a young leader and those he sees young leaders make today, and shares some of the advice he was given that he has used over the years.

Joe’s passion for the credit union movement and his members is truly incredible. You can hear how much he loves Dupaco, his team, and their members. This is a wonderful conversation that you won’t want to miss. So, hit play and enjoy!

Find the full show notes on: cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Joe:Joe Hearn, President and CEO of Dupaco Community Credit Union
jhearn@dupaco.com
www.dupaco.com
LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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“You begin to grow exponentially when you understand yourself and your limitations” - Marlene Schwartz

Welcome to episode 62 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at CO-OP Financial Services. CO-OP is your trusted payment processing partner whose mission is to drive the credit union movement forward.

For this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Marlene Schwartz at the recent CUES Symposium in Hawaii to discuss credit union planning, collaboration, and leadership from the perspective of a board member and volunteer. Marlene has the distinction of being the first board chair/volunteer to be featured on the podcast. She is the board chair of State Department Federal Credit Union and the board chair for the National Association of Credit Union Chairmen.

Marlene and I discuss how the National Association of Credit Union Chairmen is helping to connect and educate credit union board leaders. She also speaks about her experiences with State Department Federal Credit Union, and why the credit union was so quick to lend their support to Filene's Center of Excellence for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Additionally, listen as Marlene shares her thoughts on the evolution of the credit union industry and board succession planning, as well as State Department FCU’s goals for the next year. Marlene also chats with me about her unique career trajectory from the U.S. State Department to her role as credit union chairwoman, while also discussing the credit union movement and her leadership style.

Marlene has worked most of her life in a male-dominated field, and has achieved success beyond her wildest dreams. She has accomplished so much and shares so many life lessons on this episode that you can’t miss! I hope you enjoy this great episode.

Find the full show notes on: cuinsight.com

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Marlene:Marlene Schwartz, Chairman of State Department Federal Credit Union and the National Association of Credit Union Chairmen
mschwa2911@aol.com
www.sdfcu.org
www.nacuc.org
Twitter | Facebook

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“Never let the number of times you’ve gone around the sun be a limit on your potential” - Ryan Donovan

Welcome to episode 61 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at CO-OP Financial Services. CO-OP is your trusted payment processing partner whose mission is to drive the credit union movement forward.

Do you think policymakers’ perception of credit unions is static? Listen as Ryan Donovan, Chief Advocacy Officer at the Credit Union National Association, and I examine the impression that policymakers still have of the credit union movement, and discuss how CUNA is working to align those perceptions with the pace of change that’s happening in our industry. We also chat about how CUNA’s approach to advocacy and public policy challenges has changed over the years.

Ryan and I also talk about what he sees as the biggest challenges for credit unions at the advocacy level and the need to engage members in a conversation about the public policy changes facing credit unions. Ryan also shares what he feels needs to change to keep credit unions relevant going forward fundamentally, including modernizing the Federal Credit Union Charter, leveraging state league’s progress and efforts, and further promoting the great things credit unions are doing for their members and communities.

Hit play to learn more about Ryan’s hopes for the future, past accomplishments, and leadership style, as well as his perfect day in the office. We also discuss the many mentors that have supported him from his time as a Legislative Director to now. Plus, hear about the first time he got into memorable trouble in high school, and how he was able to affect change through the situation.

If you ever wanted to know how politics on the Hill affect credit unions, this is the episode you don’t want to miss. Ryan has been there and shares his experiences. So, sit back, take notes, and enjoy!

Find the full show notes on: CUInsight.com Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List How to find Ryan:Ryan Donovan, Chief Advocacy Officer at the Credit Union National Association
rdonovan@cuna.coop
www.cuna.org
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook

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“Life happens to everyone, don’t judge” - Maria LaVelle

Welcome to episode 60 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at CO-OP Financial Services. CO-OP is your trusted payment processing partner whose mission is to drive the credit union movement forward.

Have you ever had a mentor push you to be more than you thought you could be? Listen, as Maria LaVelle, President, and CEO of Pheple Federal Credit Union in Pennsylvania, shares how her mentor did just that and how she is paying it forward. Maria is well known around the credit union movement as a go-getter and has been on the Cross-State Credit Union AssociationBoard and the CUNA Board, to name a few.

Maria and I speak about the challenges small credit unions face today, how they can stay relevant in the future, and we talk about the financial literacy program that she feels will be a benefit to the next generation of prospective credit union team members. Maria also chats about her leadership style, learning to make hard decisions, and she debunks some myths about leadership. Listen as she discusses some lessons she has learned, why putting work before your family can hurt those you love and mistakes she sees young leaders making all the time.

Maria started as a teller in a credit union, and within five years was the President and CEO; she is proof positive that if you invest yourself in what you love, the sky's the limit. Listen as she answers Randy's rapid-fire questions and gives some thought-provoking answers. This is a robust conversation filled with valuable information that you don't want to miss, so sit back, plugin, and enjoy.

Find the full show notes on: CUInsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Maria:Maria Lavelle, President and CEO at Pheple FCU
mlavelle@pheplefcu.org
www.pheplefcu.org
LinkedIn | Twitter

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“Set the goal. Create the plan. Then forget the goal and work the plan.” - Anthony HernandezWelcome to episode 59 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at CO-OP Financial Services. CO-OP is your trusted payments processing partner whose mission is to drive the credit union movement forward.

Do you know how vital the defense credit unions are to military personnel and their families? Listen in as Anthony Hernandez and I speak about what they do and how they are different from other financial institutions. Tony is the President and CEO of the Defense Credit Union Council, before joining the credit union movement he spent 25 years in the Air Force. As you can imagine, he has some significant leadership knowledge and will share that with us along with what makes the DCUC so unique in the work they are doing for our service members.

Tony speaks about the specific issues they oversee and what he believes all credit unions need to change to stay relevant in today's financial market. Tony shares why he took the position as President and CEO of the Defense Credit Union Council and what he hopes to accomplish in the next year.

What is his leadership style? Tony says that it is a consensus style, but he is also highly adaptive so his style can change depending on which style he needs. He chats about what young leaders need to do better, some of his mentors all through his life, and whom he thinks about when he hears the word success.

Tony gives a different perspective on credit unions and how they work with the military. Listen to this conversation, and you might learn something that you didn't know before. You don't want to miss this episode.

Find the full show notes on: CUInsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Tony:Anthony Hernandez, President and CEO of the Defense Credit Union Council
CEO@DCUC.ORG
www.DCUC.org
LinkedIn | Twitter

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“Help people so they can focus on life.” - Rhonda Hotard

Welcome to episode 58 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at CO-OP Financial Services. CO-OP is your trusted payments processing partner whose mission is to drive the credit union movement forward.

What is your ‘Why’? Listen as Randy and his guest Rhonda Hotard discuss how asking this question can change the member service at your credit union. Rhonda is the President and CEO of the Louisiana Federal Credit Union, and her innovative approach has brought growth and pride to her credit union. She shares how telling members stories helps employees to connect with them and how helping everyone find their ‘why’ brought the focus back to the members.

Rhonda shares some of the challenges her small town has faced over the last decade and the impact the credit unions’ response had on the community. They changed their mission statement to read “To help people so that they can focus on life first,” and this above all else has had the most positive effect on the employees and members. Rhonda believes that making it easy for members to do business with credit unions is the only way to grow and keep members happy.

Listen in as Rhonda shares how she ended up in the credit unions, talks about her leadership style, and the mistakes she sees young leaders make today. Rhonda speaks about advice she was given early on in her career, mentors that have helped her over the years, and what she likes to do when she has a day off. She says quality relationships are most important to her at this time in her life, and her dad is her measure of success.

Rhonda takes us on a compelling journey from the military to her life now. She is a role model not only for women in leadership but also for young girls who want to grow up to be like her. You don’t want to miss a word of this conversation, so sit back and enjoy.

Find the full show notes on: CUInsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Rhonda:
Rhonda Hotard, President and CEO of the Louisiana Federal Credit Unionrhonda@louisianafcu.orgwww.louisianafcu.orgLinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

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“Title doesn’t make you a leader.” - Jeff Olson

Welcome to episode 57 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at CO-OP Financial Services. CO-OP is your trusted payments processing partner whose mission is to drive the credit union movement forward.

In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Jeff Olson. Jeff is the President and CEO of The Credit Union Association of the Dakotas. I’ve enjoyed getting to know Jeff over the past couple years and was excited to get him on the show.

We talk about the Credit Union Social Good platform, how it got started, and how it has evolved. He gives us his insight on how credit unions can stay relevant today, his path to CUAD, and how the inspiration has changed with time on the job.

Jeff says that his leadership style is a combination of inspiration and results, he likens the style to that of a coach. He speaks about what he’s learned when it comes to board relations and what he likes to tell new leaders. His goal of paying it forward and mentoring others was from the type of mentors he had as he was growing up, and a piece of advice from his father that has followed him wherever he goes.

Listen in to this episode with a leader in our movement as he shares the lessons he’s learned along the way. You never know where you’ll find that nugget of knowledge that will be that catalyst to propel you forward. Enjoy!

Find the full show notes on CUInsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to Find Jeff:Jeff Olson, President and CEO of the Credit Union Association of the Dakotas
jolson@cuad.coop
www.cuad.coop
LinkedIn | Twitter

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"Get out of your own way and remember that there are no guarantees in life. Live it fully every day." - Rachel Pross

Welcome to episode 56 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at CO-OP Financial Services. CO-OP is your trusted payments processing partner whose mission is to drive the credit union movement forward.

In today's episode, I’m speaking with Rachel Pross. Rachel is the Chief Risk Officer at Maps Credit Union, Salem, Oregon and she wrote an amazing post on LinkedIn last year about how her life has changed since she found out over a year ago that she had MS. Disabilities in the workplace are a huge issue overall, and I felt like it's a conversation that needed to happen.

Rachel discusses her diagnosis, how it has altered her, and how her perspectives have changed. She talks to us about how she told her boss at Maps and the incredible response she got that she will remember for the rest of her life. The unknowns of the disease are the hardest on her, but she says that you can't live life waiting for special moments to happen, you have to make them happen. Living the life you planned is not guaranteed, so you need to live each day to the fullest and be ready to alter the course if need be.

Listen in as she talks about leadership, hiring good people, and getting out of their way, and the fact that there is no secret formula for success. She tells us you have to work hard and have a great team, and the rest will come. Rachel works hard, plays hard, and isn't about to let MS stop her from doing the things she wants to do. This is a very inspiring conversation that you don't want to miss. Enjoy!Find the full show notes on CUInsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to Find Rachel:Rachel Pross, Chief Risk Officer at Maps Credit Union
rpross@mapscu.com
www.mapscu.com
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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“If you have a personal goal. You and only you can change that.” - Deepthi Dommaraju

Welcome to episode 55 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at CO-OP Financial Services. CO-OP is your trusted payments processing partner whose mission is to drive the credit union movement forward.

In this episode, Randy is speaking with Deepthi Dommaraju. She is the Vice President of Data Analysis at Trellance, which offers data analytics solutions to help credit unions revolutionize the products and experience they provide to their members. They talk about data analytics, women in tech, and of all things what she has learned from restaurant ownership.

They discuss her team, the inspiration for taking the position with Trellance, and how the inspiration has changed over the years. She believes that jumping to conclusions too quickly is a mistake that new leaders make and that you should always leave emotions out of business decisions. Deepthi speaks about her mentors, why she chooses to mentor today, and what she does to wind down. Can you say Bollywood dance.

Listen in and hear from a woman that leads in the technology field. She is very knowledgeable in many industries and has a lot of wisdom to share. This is an episode that needs to be heard, and one you don't want to miss. Enjoy!

Find the full show notes on CUInsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Deepthi Dommaraju:Deepthi Dommaraju, VP of Data Analysis at Trellance
DDommaraju@trellance.com
www.trellance.com
LinkedIn | Blog

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“Proper preparation and planning prevent poor performance.” - Chairman Rodney E. Hood

Welcome to episode 54 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by CO-OP Financial Services. CO-OP is your trusted payments processing partner whose mission is to drive the credit union movement forward.

In this episode, Randy is speaking with The Honorable Rodney E. Hood. He was nominated by the President and confirmed in 2019 as the 11th Chairman of the NCUA. They discuss his goals for the NCUA under his chairmanship, and what he sees as opportunities and challenges for credit unions.

Chairman Hood discusses where credit unions are today and what he sees as the challenges that they face in the future. He speaks about diversity, equity, and inclusion, why it is so crucial in credit unions today, and about the DEI Summit that was held last year. They chat about the NCUA and how they are embracing diversity in the way they recruit from more diverse candidate groups.

Listen in as they talk about where Chairman Hood sees the NCUA in the year ahead and what he hopes to accomplish during his time as Chairman. He tells us why he took the position at NCUA, how the inspiration with time on the job, and what he feels his leadership style is. He says regulation needs to be effective, not excessive, and that is something his team hears him say all the time and they are working towards.

Chairman Rodney Hood has a lot to share, and you don’t want to miss any of it. He is a genuine person that has a passion for helping people and loves to share his insights on the credit union industry. So sit back, plugin and enjoy!

Find the full show notes on CUInsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Chairman Hood:The Honorable Rodney E. Hood, Chairman of the National Credit Union Administration
www.NCUA.gov
Contact | LinkedIn | Twitter

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“It doesn’t have to be done or perfect to launch.” - Randy Smith

Welcome episode 53 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. The season one finale. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode the tables are turned and Jill Nowacki, president and CEO of Humanidei (and my human), plays host and is putting me on the hot seat. Jill asks me all the questions I have asked my guests this last year on the show, along with a few little twists.

We talk about my favorite guests, episodes, and locations around the world where we have recorded podcasts this year; why being intentional with diversity and inclusion is so important to the podcast; and the advice I would give someone who is thinking of starting a podcast. We also talk about what credit unions need to do to stay relevant in today’s ultra competitive financial services space.

I discuss the early motivation David Miller and I had to create CUInsight and how we worked together over the years to make it what it is today. We talk about my leadership style (or lack thereof) and what I feel the greatest strength of the team is. I speak about how losing a promotion led me to where I am today, personally and professionally; the advice I was given early on; and what I do when I hit a wall and can’t quite figure out how to proceed.

Listen as I answer the rapid-fire questions I have asked our guests and what my final thoughts on the year are. If you have wanted to get to know me better, this is the episode you can’t miss. Jill gets me to lay it all on the line and let you know what our hopes for next year are.

Have a wonderful holiday season, and see you soon for the second season of The CUInsight Experience podcast January, 6th 2020. Enjoy!

Find full show notes on CUInsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

How to find Randy:Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com and host of The CUInsight Experience podcast
www.CUInsight.com
rsmith@CUInsight.com
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

In This Episode:[01:35] - Randy, welcome to your show!
[02:28] - What was the inspiration for starting this podcast, and does it look the way you dreamed it?
[03:59] - Randy says that Jill is his favorite guest ever on his show, and he talks about a few of his favorite episodes.
[06:58] - He talks about recording podcasts as he travels the world.
[08:11] - Why do diversity and inclusion mean so much to you?
[09:55] - Randy tells u

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“There’s a light that shines for people who are of service and purpose.” - Renée Sattiewhite

Welcome to episode 52 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. In this episode Randy welcomes Renée Sattiewhite to the show. Renée is the President and CEO of the African-American Credit Union Coalition. Randy and Renée both attended the 20th SACCA Congress in Mombasa, Kenya, where they got to spend a little time together. Listen as they talk about everything that’s going on at the African American Credit Union Coalition, some of the ideas they have come up with, and the opportunities that exist.

Renée speaks about why the AACUC attends conferences even when they are far away, their partnership with ACCOSCA, and how mission-driven the SOCCO’s are in Africa. She also talks about the mission of AACUC, DEI, and how the credit union movement can move forward in the coming years.

She also discusses the events that the AACUC organizes, her inspiration to take the position as CEO, and what they are doing to get more young leaders involved with the credit union movement. She believes that to lead in credit unions today, you must show the three characteristics of the titans in the industry, integrity, purpose, and a heart for service and leadership.

Renée talks about the line between ego and confidence, young leaders needing balance, and the advice she has been given over the years that she still uses today. Don’t miss this exciting conversation, Renee has seen it all and is ready to share with us. Get your pen and paper ready because Renée drops nuggets of great information through the whole episode. Enjoy!

Find the full show notes at CUInsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

How to find Renée:Renée Sattiewhite, President and CEO of the African-American Credit Union Coalition
www.aacuc.org
Renee@AACUC.org
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Vimeo

In This Episode:[01:37] - Welcome to the show, Renee!
[02:26] - Renee talks about why they need to participate in events even when they are halfway around the world and their partnership with ACCOSCA.
[03:39] - They discuss how mission-driven the credit unions are in Africa.
[05:50] - What is the mission statement for the AACUC? Why was the organization set up?
[07:16] - Renee speaks about walking a mile in her and things forward in the credit union industry.
[12:11] - She says that credit unions need to embrace the eighth cooperative principle for the industry to stay relevant.
[13:33] - What inspired you to take the position at AACUC?
[17:49] - The inspiration has to become more humble, more of service, and to get out her way and listen more.
[23:21] - Renee speaks about what needs to be done to get the young leaders into the credit union movement.
[24:59] - She believes that young leaders need to find balance on the four quadrants; personal and professional life, mental and physical stability.
[26:45] -

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“Never show up with a problem without at least one solution.” - Tom Kane

Welcome to episode 51 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. Today Randy welcomes Tom Kane to the show. Tom is the President and CEO of the Illinois Credit Union League, as well as LSC and other organizations. Tom received a Masters Degree in International Relations with a focus on the Soviet Union, and that led him to a job with the CIA. But lucky for us, sixteen years ago, he got into the credit union movement, and hasn’t looked back.

Tom speaks about the three things that credit unions need to do to stay relevant. He talks about consolidation being the trend and how small and medium-sized credit unions need to collaborate more.

We discuss the CU Kind campaign and how they got more than 61 credit unions to come together across the state giving more than 5000 volunteer hours in one day. And discuss Tom's desire to see how doing this on a national level would benefit so many.

Tom talks about his inspiration to take the CEO position and how the motivation has changed in the four years that he’s been on the job. The enemy is the perfect good is what he tells his team all the time. Tom believes that you can’t wait to be perfect before you act, or nothing will get done.

Have you heard the saying ‘people don’t leave companies they leave people’? Listen in as Tom speaks about being a good employee, but most of all, being a good boss. He gives us many nuggets we can learn from. Enjoy!

Find the full show notes at CUInsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

How to find Tom:Tom Kane, President and CEO of the Illinois Credit Union League and LSC
www.ICUL.com
www.LSC.net
tom.kane@icul.com
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

In This Episode:[01:23] - Tom, Welcome to the show!
[02:01] - Tom talks about his life and what led him to the credit union industry.
[05:15] - Are there any other CEOs with a tech background in the league system?
[06:40] - Tom speaks about being an optimist about credit unions and that he sees consolidation as being the most significant thing happening right now.
[09:57] - Tom says three things can be done to keep credit unions relevant. A basic set of products and services, plan to grow membership and succession.
[13:06] - Unless you are part of a substantial credit union, collaboration is the way to grow.
[15:20] - Do you have five different boards you have to deal with?
[16:28] - Tom discusses the CUKind Campaign that he was instrumental in putting together.
[20:29] - What was the inspiration to go for the position as the President and CEO of the League?
[21:51] - He tells us that he was passed over for the job a year earlier, but he kept his head in the game and was asked to take the position.
[23:51] - The inspiration since he took the position has shifted from making changes to strategy.
[25:41] - How would you describe your leadership style?

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“Stand up for the things in our life that count.” - Sue Mitchell

Welcome to episode 50 The CUInsight Experience with your host Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. In this episode, Randy is very excited to welcome Susan Mitchell. Sue is the CEO of Mitchell, Stankovic and Associates, and a long-time credit union advocate.

Sue and her team started the Underground Collision; to get conversations started around subjects that aren’t being tackled at the moment. She says to her it’s all about bringing people together, planting some seeds and see if new initiatives can come out of it.

She talks about the need credit unions have for new members, her inspiration for starting her own business, and how that inspiration has changed over the years. She speaks about her leadership style and how being a leader today is different than in previous years. Sue also believes that young leaders today should be more articulate when stating objectives; they need to be better at communicating with others.

Sue is a fascinating woman with many years of life experience that she is happy to share. Listen in to this conversation and think about what she says, what she thinks needs to be done, and how she believes it will help the world be a better place. We all need to do more, and she is giving us ideas on where to start. Enjoy!

Find the full show notes at CUInsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

How to find Sue:Susan Mitchell, CEO of Mitchell Stankovic and Associates
www.mitchellstankovic.com
susan@mitchellstankovic.com
Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook

In This Episode:[01:43] - Sue, Welcome to the show!
[02:36] - Sue discusses the organization she helped found for the financial inclusion of women.
[05:27] - What changes have you seen in credit unions over the space of your career?
[07:32] - Sue tells us what the underground collision is and why she started it.
[12:26] - She believes that credit unions need to do more when it comes to new members.
[15:45] - What inspired you to go out on your own and?
[17:37] - Her inspiration has changed by honing in on diversity and not just in gender and her commitment to changing the world.
[19:36] - Her leadership style is collaborative, and she believes in motivating with energy.
[21:23] - How has being a successful leader changed over time?
[22:59] - Get over it, let the baggage go is what Sue tells everyone on her team.
[23:42] - Being more articulate when stating objectives, better communication is something she thinks young leaders need to be better at.
[24:41] - What hacks do you have to help young leaders and listeners work on their communication?
[26:00] - She discusses innovation and research and development and her experience with it.
[27:19] - Garbage in, Garbage out is something one of her previous bosses used to tell her all the time.
[28:32] - Sue hikes, spends time outside, and reads when she has a day off.
[29:22] - Do you remember the first time you got into memorable trouble?
[29:43] - Sue’s daily routine is thinking about her gratitudes when she is walking.
[33:23] -

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“We are only limited by our imagination.” - Denise Wymore

Welcome to episode 49 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. Today Randy welcomes Denise Wymore to the show. Denise has been in the credit union industry for over 30 years and with NACUSO for almost four. She is responsible for membership development and helping CUSOs tell their stories. She lives in New Mexico, with her husband Mark and two dogs, and she is also a Volunteer Firefighter/EMT for the town of Cochiti Lake.

Denise and Randy discuss NACUSO and cooperative business-minded CUSOs. Denise believes credit unions are dying of old age because they rely too heavily on credit scores for new members. She chats about the credit unions losing sight of the three C’s Character, Capacity, and Collateral and talks about why she believes we need to bring the focus back.

Denise speaks about the six cooperative principle, cooperation among cooperatives, like share branching. She says that credit unions need a differentiator, something that will set us apart and be a national brand.

Question everything is a phrase that Denise uses all of the time. She says that if you don’t, you won’t know whether pigs can fly or not. Mistakes are ok, everyone makes them but learn from them and don’t make the same mistake twice. Denise believes that if everyone did something nice for a stranger every day, the world would be a much better place.

Listen in to this conversation with Denise. She is an open and funny individual with vast experience in many things, and if you don’t learn something from her, you weren’t trying. Enjoy!

Find the full show notes at CUInsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

How to find Denise:Denise Wymore, Director/Membership & Advocacy Development Officer at NACUSO
www.nacuso.org
Denise@nacuso.org
Twitter | Linkedin | Facebook

In This Episode:[01:17] - Denise, Welcome to the show!
[01:47] - She discusses her rise in the credit union industry.
[03:04] - Denise believes that the credit union is dying of old age because they rely on credit scores.
[05:00] - What gets you excited when you leave CUSO conferences?
[06:02] - Denise speaks about a teen program designed to bring younger people into credit unions.
[07:26] - She tells us the story of how she became a Volunteer Firefighter and EMT.[09:24] - What needs to change in the credit union industry that needs to change to stay relevant?
[11:17] - Denise says what inspired her to take her position at NACUSO was the way she fit with the team and their principles.
[12:19] - How has the inspiration changed over the last few years with time on the job?
[15:40] - She speaks about the traits she sees in leaders and who helped her the most in her career.
[18:08] - Is fail faster something we need to see in the industry today? Do things need to be tested at the branch before being released company-wide?
[19:37] - Question everything, is what she says all the time.
[21:33] - Denise says that she

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“Focus on the well being of the people.” - George Ombado

Welcome to episode 48 The CUInsight Experience with your host Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. In this episode, Randy welcomes George Ombado, CEO of ACCOSCA, a Pan-African confederation of national associations of savings and credit cooperatives societies. This episode was recorded at the 20th Annual SACCA Congress in Mombasa, Kenya.

ACCOSCA has developed programs aimed at improving socio-economic needs of Africa through saving and credit unions, partnering with various government bodies, development agencies and research institutions to contribute towards mitigating challenges facing Africa in the twenty-first century.

Listen to this conversation about credit union growth in Africa, and the differences to the more mature U.S. credit union system. George talks about how he’s fashioned the Africa Development Education program after attending DE in North Carolina and shares a great story about Bill and Crissy Cheney helping him get home after his flight was canceled due to snow.

George is inspired to see that young people and women are being accepted by the leadership today because these things wouldn’t have been possible ten years ago. He is working to build the regulatory framework in Africa because it builds confidence to have it, whereas, in the U.S, we are trying to get rid of some of it.

George has excellent insight into the global credit union movement of today, and you won’t want to miss what he has to say. Enjoy!

Find the full show notes at CUInsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

How to find George:George Ombado, CEO of the Africa Confederation of Co-operative Savings & Credit Associations (ACCOSCA)
www.ACCOSCA.org
george.ombado@accosca.org
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook In This Episode:[01:58] - George, Welcome to the show!
[02:38] - George discusses what ACCOSCA is and what they are involved in.
[04:41] - They talk about Africa’s DE programs and why they are so invaluable.
[06:23] - George went to a DE program in North Carolina and had Crissy Cheney in his class. He used what he learned to set up the program in Africa.
[08:22] - They speak about the global board that George has set up.
[10:40] - Why does Africa see such growth in credit unions while the U.S considers a decrease?
[14:14] - George took the job at ACCOSCA to bring the level of engagement up and to have the ability to help his country.
[16:10] - Has your inspiration for taking the job changed over the years?
[17:50] - George says his leadership style is hands-on; he likes to empower people and see people get the right opportunities.
[18:46] - He feels that his team would say that he pushes to get things done.
[19:18] - George talks about planning all the time.
[19:53] - The 2020 SACCA Congress will be held in the Kingdom of Eswatini in South Africa.
[20:21] - What mistakes do you see young leaders make today?
[21:30] - When George gets frustrated, he puts his head

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“The more engaged your employees are, the more engaged your members are.” - Julie Ferguson

Picture this, warm sunshine, sand running through your toes, and the breeze from the Indian Ocean gently ruffling your hair. Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, is on location with his guest Julie Ferguson at the 20th SACCA Congress in beautiful Mombasa, Kenya. Listen in as they have a friendly conversation about their experiences in credit unions and beyond.

Julie is a small business owner, and a consultant in the credit union movement, with a focus on business development. Her goal is to work herself out of a job by teaching credit unions the tools needed to evolve and grow their businesses.

Do you have a travel bug? Listen as Julie and Randy discuss their love of travel, the things they have learned, and the camaraderie they have with all the attendees at the conference. The talk about what it means to be location independent and the joys and struggles that come with it.

Julie shares three tips to increase member engagement; ask smart questions, listen, and stay in the driver’s seat of the dialogue. For credit unions to remain relevant in today’s market, Julie believes the key is engagement. The more engaged your employees are, the more engaged your members will be. Leading with the heart is critical.

This is a fun episode with many leadership tips and hacks that you can apply to any area of your life and career. You can tell from the joy in her voice that Julie loves her life and how she gets to live it. She will brighten your day, so plugin, and enjoy!

Find the full show notes at CUInsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

How to find Julie:Julie Ferguson, owner of JRF Consulting Services
www.julierferguson.com
julie@jrfconsultingservices.com
Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

In This Episode:[01:41] - Welcome to the show, Julie!
[02:09] - Julie have you had a good time this week?.
[03:55] - She speaks about marrying her love of travel and her work with credit unions.
[05:48] - Julie discusses the challenges around work and travel. She calls it being location independent.
[08:18] - Getting new members and maximizing the existant relationships is the focus of her company.
[10:32] - Julie says she wants to work herself out of a job, by giving the tools to the team so they can evolve and grow.
[11:29] - Three tips for member engagement are; ask smart questions, listen, and stay in the driver’s seat of the dialogue.
[13:38] - She believes that the more engaged your employees are, the more engaged the members are.
[14:39] - Why did you leave First Tech Credit Union to start your own business?
[17:41] - Her inspiration over the last ten years has changed from helping herself to helping others.
[18:36] - Collaboration, being genuine, leading with heart are some things she admires in the leaders she has met.
[19:26] - How has leadership styles changed over the last ten years?
[20:15] - Be memorable are two words that Julie says all the time.

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“Great leaders are surrounded by a village of great leaders.” - Steph Sherrodd

Steph Sherrodd is our guest on episode 46 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. Steph is the President and CEO of TDECU in Houston, the largest credit union in Houston and the 4th largest in the state of Texas. Their purpose is to improve the lives of their members, employees, and communities.

Steph is very passionate about developing team members to become leaders of the future and adapting to the changes to make sure they get the greatest talent in the right positions. She knows from her experience that great mentors are necessary when making great leaders. Steph feels that when employees see other employees being developed, getting promoted, and working on great projects, it tends to lead a culture of positivity for advancement.

She speaks about how being involved with national credit union boards allows her to see what’s going on outside of her credit union. She gets exposed to other parts of the industry, best practices, new technologies, and new perspectives to bring back locally. Being around other top leaders across the country helps keep her mind sharp, keeps her energized, plus it increases brand awareness.

Steph believes that credit unions need to find a compelling way to tell their stories and let people know all the good they do to help their communities. She chats about the ways building a team has changed and that leaders need to have experience with change management. She says that young leaders tend to make the mistake of thinking the job is about doing when it is actually about building.

Listen to this insightful conversation from someone with a lot of experience and knowledge in the credit union industry, and we are lucky that she is taking the time to share with us. Get ready to take notes because this is an episode you can learn from. Enjoy!

Find the full show notes on CUInsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

How to find Steph:Steph Sherrodd, President and CEO of TDECU
www.TDECU.org
ssherrodd@tdecu.org
Linkedin | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

In This Episode[01:36] - Steph, welcome to the show!
[02:37] - She talks to us about mapping development for the team members to help them succeed.
[04:22] - Developing employees allows a feeling of positivity in the workplace; it’s not just another dead-end position.
[05:52] - They discuss having a learning and growth plan to help the development cycle.
[06:34] - Steph explains the credit union’s vision and how that ties to the development of leaders.
[07:48] - How does your credit union benefit by you being involved nationally?
[09:57] - Steph says that focus on what offers the most value and keeping it simple for the members and employees.
[11:58] - She talks about finding the right niche in the marketplace, and finding a compelling way to tell the credit union story is a way to keep them relevant in the future.

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“Our focus is on who we serve and how we serve them. That is what has made us successful.” - Bill Cheney

Welcome to episode 45 The CUInsight Experience with your host Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. In this episode, Randy welcomes Bill Cheney, the President, and CEO of the SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union. They are taping this episode from Mombasa, Kenya, where Bill was the keynote speaker at the 20th SACCA Congress.

Bill speaks to us about how SchoolsFirst gives back to their local community and their global community. He shares some of the ways his team has contributed to schools in Kenya. Bill also talks about his team’s focus on having empathy and understanding the communities and how to serve them best.

They discuss Bill’s servant leadership style and why he left CUNA to head SchoolsFirst. He chats about being glad to be back at an actual person credit union, and he feels like he has come full circle. Bill believes that who they serve and how they serve them is what has made SchoolsFirst successful. He believes that the people in your organization are essential, he says you can’t expect people to work like machines and you can’t treat them like machines.

Listen in as Bill tells us why there has never been a better time to work in the credit union movement, how the members are the marker of success in any credit union and why they need to make more loans to more members. This is a great conversation from a beautiful place with essential information that you won’t want to miss, so plugin and enjoy.

View full show notes on CUInsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

How to find Bill:Bill Cheney, President and CEO at SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
www.schoolsfirstfcu.org
bill.cheney@schoolsfirstfcu.org
Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

In this episode:[01:48] - Bill, welcome to the show!
[02:09] - They discuss the conference and Bill’s keynote speech.
[03:27] - Bill tells us how and why his team at the credit union gives back to the local and global communities.
[07:06] - Empathy is front and center of SchoolsFirst Credit Union; they try to understand their communities and the best way to serve them.
[08:49] - How has your experience at the state and national level helped you run SchoolsFirst?
[10:02] - Bill speaks about his wife and how credit unions have become their life and how hard it is to turn it off.
[12:07] - Who we serve and how we serve them is what has made SchoolsFirst successful.
[14:25] - He discusses the investment in technology that they have made to increase support to their members.
[15:11] - What needs to change fundamentally to keep credit unions relevant?
[17:02] - Bill tells us why he left CUNA to take the job at SchoolsFirst.
[20:18] - Has the inspiration after five years on the job changed or gotten stronger?
[21:57] - Bill says servant leadership is how he describes his leadership style.
[24:14] - Has your leadership style changed since your career started?
[28:20] -

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"Go do the thing that makes you uncomfortable, go push yourself, go stretch yourself." - Mollie Bell

Welcome to episode 44 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. Randy welcomes Mollie Bell to the show. Mollie is the Chief Development Officer at Ent Credit Union in Colorado Springs. Her peers know her as a person with a real passion for helping people reach their full potential. Many who know her say she’s one of the most interesting people they know. I was looking forward to getting to know Mollie better.

Mollie took a winding road to the credit union industry. Still, she says that every position she had from law student to restaurant owner to teacher taught her something that she brings to her team every day. She believes that anything we do in our life experience helps us as we travel down our career path.

Randy and Mollie talk about what needs to change in credit unions to keep them relevant fundamentally, the culture of credit unions, and the Open Your Eyes campaign. She discusses why she took the position with Ent and what her inspiration was then and how it has changed in the year since she started there.

Mollie believes that her leadership style is an enthusiastic ideator and one exciting challenge after another, which is also how she views life. She believes that confidence in risk-taking is a trait that new leaders need to learn and that authenticity doesn't come without emotional intelligence. Mollie is a firm believer that culture is an umbrella strategy and needs to be well thought out and implemented.

If you are looking to be uplifted with knowledge, listen to this episode. Mollie is so upbeat about life in the credit union industry that she makes you want to go out to see if you can have as much joy in your career as she does. This is a fantastic conversation that you won't want to miss. Enjoy!

View full show notes on CUInsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

How to find Mollie:Mollie Bell, Chief Development Officer at ENT Credit Union
www.ent.com
mbell@ent.com
Twitter | LinkedIn

In this episode:[01:23] - Mollie, welcome to the show!
[02:37] - Mollie discusses her reaction to what people told Randy about her and her passion for lifting people up and encouraging them to reach their potential.
[03:14] - She talks about the StrengthsFinder 2.0 tool and her number one strength.
[04:19] - Mollie talks about the pleasure she gets from helping others reach their goals industry-wide.
[06:34] - Is giving young leaders a chance the way to get the best talent available?
[08:05] - Mollie says that her heart is in the credit union industry, and she can't see herself doing anything else.
[09:11] - She was a teacher at the CUNA member's experienced sales and service school, she talks about what she brought back.
[10:08] - Mollie chats about her journey to credit unions, she was in law school, a teacher, a consultant, and many more before she began her career with credit unions.
[12:37] - Law school gave her the critical thinking that she uses when she is working with her teams

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“Community development is not a fad, it’s who we are.” - Jim Morrell

Welcome to episode 43 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. Randy welcomes Jim Morrell to the show. Jim is the President and CEO of Peninsula Credit Union in Shelton, Washington, he is also involved community and international development and on the board of NACHA. Jim believes that when credit unions are entwined with community purpose, it benefits everyone involved.

Randy and Jim discuss their trip to Kenya this past summer and the impact it had on them, what they learned, and what Jim brought home to his credit union and community. Jim has made many of these trips and believes that the value gained is irreplaceable, plus he says that everyone benefits from meeting new people and sharing with them.

This conversation about how credit unions are teaming with communities to ensure people have the tools they need to sustain them and how just talking to someone can change your life. Jim believes that everyone, every day, makes an unknown impact on another's life. You may never know what that impact is but trust that you are impacting someone somewhere. Enjoy!

View full show notes here.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

How to find Jim:Jim Morrell, President and CEO of Peninsula Credit Union
jmorrell@pcfcu.org
www.pcfcu.org
Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook

In This Episode:[01:27] - Jim, welcome to the show!
[01:35] - They discuss their trip to Kenya and how great the Safari was.
[02:38] - Jim talks about how impactful the trip was, and he thinks about the unknown impact they had on the people.
[03:40] - What was your motivation for going on the tour?
[04:36] - He brings what he learns from the motivational trips home to impact his community.
[05:34] - Jim tells us a story about his journey in 2016 and what he remembers most about the credit unions there.
[09:38] - Community development and partnership are critical, which is why Jim works with the Shelton YMCA and other programs in his area.
[12:39] - When you started at Peninsula, did you already have the passion for community, or is it something that grew as you worked in the credit union industry? What is Alice Pearl?
[16:35] - Jim discusses how he became part of NACHA, the Electronic Payment Association, and how his background made it a smooth transition.
[20:59] - Fundamentally, Jim believes that credit unions need to lead with their core purpose and make that the filter through which they make decisions.
[23:08] - What inspired you to take the position with the Penninsula Credit Union?
[24:31] - Jim tells us that he has the same driving force to succeed at the credit union as he did day one.
[25:08] - He says his leadership style is being an innovator that explores new ideas to make a difference in people's lives.
[26:01] - Jim says his team would call his leadership non-stop.
[26:28] - Assumptions are deadly, and why are we doing this, are things his team has heard him say o

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“Everything we see was created by someone.” - Monica Belz

Welcome to episode 42 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. Today Randy is talking with Monica Belz, President and CEO of Kauai Government Employees FCU.

In essence, credit unions are social enterprises with social missions. Monica discusses what this means and gives us examples of how this impacts how she runs her credit union on Kauai. Monica believes that we can truly forge sustainable, relevant change and it’s in the DNA of credit unions.

Monica speaks to us about how important credit unions are, that the torch isn't being passed to the new leaders of today they are already holding it. She believes that social enterprise is the way for credit unions to stay relevant and that credit unions teaming with local governments and the private sector can move community development to the next level both at home and abroad.

Monica has excellent insights into being a mom to three kids, volunteering with nonprofit organizations, and keeping the work-life balance in check. She has seen and done things most of us only dream about, so you don't want to miss this conversation. Enjoy!

View full show notes here.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

How to find Monica:Monica Belz, President and CEO of Kauai Government Employees FCU
monicab@kgefcu.org
www.kgefcu.org
Linkedin | Twitter | Facebook

In This Episode:
[01:38] - Aloha Monica, welcome to the show!
[02:24] - Andy and Monica discuss their kindred wanderlust spirits.
[02:49] - Monica tells us that she is going to go on a five-day rock climbing trip for her 40th birthday.
[04:10] - She speaks to us about her love of the outdoors, her need to learn as much as possible.
[05:22] - She earned her real estate license right out of high school, following in her maternal family's footsteps.
[06:08] - Monica chats about her life after college and traveling the world as a divemaster.
[08:01] - Her travels lead her to snowboard in many places as she trained for the Olympics.
[09:43] - She learned to surf in El Salvador in a little fishing village, she now owns land there.
[10:41] - She ended up in Kauai to raise her kids while she continued her education and launched her business.
[12:50] - Her heart is in international development, and she volunteers for many nonprofit programs.
[13:59] - Monica found a listing for an executive position with a credit union on Craigslist.
[14:13] - She got the job she applied for and learned what credit unions were all about.
[16:06] - How do you find that the World Credit Union Conference field engagements benefit union in Kauai? Can you share an example?
[20:15] - She talks about credit unions being social enterprises with social missions.
[22:15] - Is getting back to social enterprise the way that credit unions can stay relevant?
[26:31] - They discuss a conference that will be in Puerto Rico in May about developing communities.
[27:38] - What inspired you to go for the position of President and CEO of the Kauai Government Emp

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“If you don’t make the time for it, it’s never going to happen.” - Miriam De Dios Woodward Thank you for tuning in to episode 41 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. Today Randy is talking to Miriam De Dios Woodward, the President and CEO of PolicyWorks.

Regulatory compliance challenges that confront credit unions change and grow every year. Miriam believes in the value credit unions bring and is dedicated to helping them navigate the changing tides of these issues.

Miriam discusses the need for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and how credit unions will need to change their mindset to stay relevant in today's market. She says, don't let the compliance burden overwhelm your business. There are excellent resources out there to help you, so take advantage of them.

Randy and Miriam have a conversation about leadership and leading from a place of abundance instead of limitations. They discuss the personal connections you get with people in the credit union industry and how that was one of the things that pulled her into a career with credit unions from the beginning.

Miriam has excellent insights into finding balance with a career and a new baby, making personal development a priority throughout your career and embracing change. This episode is packed with information that can help you take your job to the next level. You won't want to miss a single word. Enjoy!

View full show notes here.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

How to find Miriam:Miriam De Dios Woodward, President and CEO of PolicyWorks
miriam.dedioswoodward@policyworksllc.com
www.policyworksllc.com
Linkedin | Twitter

In This Episode:[01:24] - Miriam, I am so excited to have you on the show!
[02:03] - Randy and Miriam discuss her transition from Coopera to its larger sister company PolicyWorks.
[04:01] - What challenges do credit unions have with regulations and compliance issues? What is PolicyWorks doing to help?
[06:27] - Miriam talks about her need to learn and get involved in organizations that she feels she can help.
[07:46] - Parenting her infant daughter is her passion right now; being a new mom takes much time.
[09:20] - At what level do diversity, equity, and inclusion start? How does it start?
[10:16] - What belief in credit unions will have to change to stay relevant fundamentally?
[11:40] - Being proactive with compliance is a mindset that c

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“Be who you are whether it's your credit union, you as a leader, or as an individual.” - John Bratsakis

Welcome to episode 40 of The CUInsight Experience podcast, hosted by Randy Smith, Co-Founder of CUInsight.com. In this episode, Randy has a conversation with John Bratsakis, the President and CEO of the Maryland and DC Credit Union Association.

Giving a voice to credit unions with our legislators is something John feels strongly about. He believes that being present, learning, and listening is how credit unions can get ahead in an arena where everything changes daily.

John discusses how he started in credit unions, why he wanted to be President and CEO of the Maryland and DC Credit Union Association and how he believes we can bring awareness to the benefits of credit unions to the forefront of the public and legislators minds.

John speaks to us about his leadership style and philosophy. He believes that you should listen to and be authentic with your team and everyone else. He gives us many tidbits of great information that will apply to any industry or career. You won’t want to miss this episode, so plugin and enjoy.

View full show notes on here.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

How to find John:John Bratsakis, President and CEO of the Maryland and DC Credit Union Association
jbratsakis@mddccua.org
www.mddccua.org
Twitter | Linkedin | Facebook | YouTube

In This Episode:[01:36] - Welcome to the show, John!
[02:08] - John chats with Randy about how his national position allows him to learn and bring ideas home to the local credit unions.
[04:29] - What are the challenges facing credit unions today? What can you do to alleviate the struggles they have?
[07:29] - John speaks about how credit unions give back to the communities.
[09:57] - Randy asks about John’s favorite team.
[11:34] - John believes that credit unions need to more on a personal relationship with members.
[14:05] - They discuss how John got a career in credit unions and how he got the position of President and CEO of the Credit Union Association.
[17:43] - Has the inspiration changed since he took the job?
[18:49] - John says his leadership style is just being who he is. He says everyone fails, but you get up and do it better next time.
[20:14] - John tells us about his most memorable failure.
[21:28] - Advocate, educate, communicate, and collaborate are words that John’s team hears from him all the time.
[22:16] - He feels that young leaders make the mistake of making hard goals instead of focusing on the milestones that are needed to get to that goal.
[23:32] - What advice have you been given that you still use today?
[25:03] - Did you have mentors that helped you form your leadership style?
[27:56] - When they have an issue, they can’t rectify;

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“When one of us succeeds, we all rise.” - Lauren Culp

Welcome to episode 39 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, Co-Founder of CUInsight.com. In this episode, Randy has a conversation with Lauren Culp, the new Publisher and CEO of CUInsight.com.

Randy and Lauren talk about the need for credit unions to embrace their identity and nimbly adapt to changes both for the market and for the workforce. Lauren shares her perspective on how credit unions will be able to keep up with the times going forward, the need for more diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the rapid pace of change in our world.

Lauren also talks about her experiences leading diverse and highly engaged teams, the ways she approached increasing diversity and inclusion in the program she led at Filene, and what she’s most excited about as she takes the helm at CUInsight.

Tune in to learn more about CUInsight’s first-ever CEO, what she’s learned through her career, and what she sees the future holds for credit unions and CUInsight.

View full show notes on here.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

How to find Lauren:Lauren Culp, Publisher and CEO of CUInsight.com
lculp@cuinsight.com
www.CUInsight.com
Twitter | Linkedin | Instagram | Facebook

In This Episode:[01:28] - Welcome to the show Lauren Culp, Publisher and CEO of CUInsight.com.
[02:58] Lauren feels that there are two challenges facing credit unions today. Adapting to change and understanding the identity of the credit union and how to effectively tell that story.
[06:52] How can we get college graduates to consider the credit union as an employer of choice?
[08:48] Lauren feels like the daily work model is changing, and the credit unions have to adapt.
[10:03] We need to be very explicit about our message when looking for new talent.
[11:35] Be intentional with diversity in the application pool.
[13:28] When Lauren started choosing candidates for the mentor team, she made sure that they were as visually diverse as possible.
[14:13] This led to a very diverse crash group which ended up being the strongest one they had ever had.
[15:05] Is there a belief in credit unions today that fundamentally needs to change?
[16:18] She took the job as Publisher and CEO of CUInsight because she loved the way they collaborate with credit unions and the constant innovation and the eye for what is next.
[17:58] Has the inspiration changed now that she's been with the company for a few months?
[18:38] Her leadership style is collaborative. She believes there is value in empowering people.
[19:35] Is there something that people who work with you have heard so many times that they can finish the sentence?
[20:35] The mistake she sees young leaders make most is sticking with what is comfortable and not take ri

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“It’s not so much what happens to you in life that matters, it’s how you choose to respond to it.” - Amy Downs

Welcome to episode 38 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. In this episode, Randy is talking to Amy Downs President and CEO of Allegiance Credit Union in Oklahoma City, she is a motivational speaker, an IronMan Triathlete and an Oklahoma City Bombing survivor.

Amy discusses what happened to her and her co-workers when the federal building in Oklahoma City was bombed, how she was trapped under the rubble and how it took over 6 hours to dig her out. She tells us what she was thinking while she was waiting to be rescued, what she wanted to change if she made it out alive and how she did it all.

Amy speaks to us about being CEO of Allegiance Credit Union, how she got there and why she stayed in the credit union industry. She chats about being a leader and what that means in the changing industry and how it’s time for younger people in leadership, management and on the boards.

Listen in as Amy gives us an inside look to her disaster, her triumph and her road to being the person she is today. She has a story to tell and you don’t want to miss it so sit back, plug in and be prepared to cheer at what she has accomplished.

View full show notes on here.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

How to find Amy:Amy Downs, President and CEO of Allegiance Credit Union
www.allegiancecu.org
www.amydowns.org
Amy.Downs@acuok.org
Linkedin | Instagram | Twitter In This Episode:[01:45] - Welcome to the show Amy Downs, President and CEO of Allegiance Credit Union.
[02:53] - Amy describes for us what happened on April 19, 1995 at the federal building in Oklahoma City, where her office was located.
[06:35] - She speaks to us about the wait under 10ft of rubble to be rescued and how during that time she reflected on her life wishing she had a do over, because she thought she was going to die.
[07:49] - Amy says it took six and a half hours to dig her out from under the rubble never knowing if the unstable building was going to collapse.
[09:23] - When she was pulled out alive she decided to change her life and she promised God she would never live her life the same way she was living it.
[13:55] - Amy thought about leaving the credit union but realized that if she did and they let the credit union go under the 18 employees and over 100 members that were killed lives would have meant nothing.
[14:26] - She tells us how she went from weighing 355 lbs, to training, to becoming an Ironman Triathlete.
[17:53] - Amy is most excited about seeing the leadership that is coming down through credit unions to have the younger generation leading in a different way.
[19:07] - How is Allegiance keeping up with all the changes coming their way? In technology?
[20:43] - Amy believes that credit unions need younger more diverse people in management and on their boards.
[22:18] - What inspired Amy

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“Opportunities are abundant. Time is scarce. Being intentional matters.” Jill Nowacki
Welcome to episode 37 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. In this episode, Randy is talking to Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei, a human capital strategy firm launched this summer to help organizations become workplaces of choice for today’s workforce.

Jill and Randy discuss her new company, how to find talented people, and some of the challenges that come with traditional recruiting efforts. Jill believes credit unions can be the employers and volunteer causes of choice, and talks about how to achieve this through creating organizations where individuals bring their whole selves to work, helping teams thrive from a diverse set of unique talents. There is also some fun conversation about remote work and the many joys and trials that come with it.

The goal of Humanidei is to serve as the single greatest asset for human development, attraction and retention inside the credit union system. While Humanidei works with organizations to develop comprehensive human capital strategies, the name emphasizes the importance of one particular tool: The -dei at the end of the word represents the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in organizational development and how attending to this will help organizations benefit from the wide diversity of talent available in today's workforce.

This episode is full of light hearted banter, discussion on the importance of human capital, and knowledge about the hiring situation in the credit union industry. It is also about how the job market is changing and what businesses can do to better prepare to win the war for talent. Listen in to learn more about Jill’s ideas for leveraging human capital for your organization’s success.

View full show notes on here.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

How to find Jill:Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei
Jill@humanidei.com
Linkedin | Twitter | Humanidei on Twitter | Instagram

In This Episode:[02:06] - Welcome to the show Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei.
[02:25] - Jill tells us about her new company and the motivation for starting it.
[03:56] - She says we don’t have to worry about robots taking our jobs we just need to find the right people to work with the robots.
[05:06] - How does Jill find the best people for the job? Is there a plan?
[06:49] - Jill discusses the pitfalls she finds in traditional recruiting, the old standard of it’s who you know.
[08:33] - Is this old traditional method hurting your business? Is diversity better?
[10:26] - Sometimes people step up and lead when maybe you didn’t think they had it in them.
[11:45] - Can credit unions become the employers of choice?
[15:37] - A PWC study shows that

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“What’s the outcome the member cares about?” - Tansley Stearns

Welcome to episode 36 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder, and publisher of CUInsight.com. In this episode, Randy has a conversation with Tansley Stearns, the Chief People and Strategy Officer at Canvas Credit Union in Denver Colorado.

Randy and Tansley discuss the war for talent and her goal to make credit unions the employer of choice for college graduates. Tansley talks about the intersection of people and marketing and how communication is at the core inside and outside the credit union. She shares her journey to Canvas and all the wonderful things she has learned along the way. She discusses culture and the people she works with at Canvas and what they’re doing to attract the brightest and the best to work in the credit union movement.

Tansley shares how empathy can differentiate credit unions from other financial services and countless leadership lessons she has learned on her own journey. This episode is full of ways credit unions can and are transforming financial services. Enjoy!

View the full show notes here.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

How to find Tansley:Tansley Stearns
Chief People and Strategy Officer, Canvas Credit Union
www.canvas.org
TansleyS@canvas.org
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook

In This Episode:[01:47] - Welcome to the show Tansley Stearns.
[02:14] - Why is making credit unions the employer of choice so important to Tansley?
[03:59] - What does Tansley think are the biggest challenges of making this happen?
[07:33] - What are some of the things that she has done to make working at Canvas more attractive for future employees?
[09:22] - Does she think that the intersection of people, talent and marketing go along with looking for new talent?
[10:36] - Did you bring this idea to the Canvas or were they implementing it before you got there?
[11:26] - How do you create the space in the day to have these kinds of discussions?
[13:36] - Tansley says that empathy is at the core of understanding customers needs.
[16:59] - What are the beliefs in the industry that you feel need to change?
[19:41] - What inspired Tansley to take the job at Canvas?
[21:30] - Has the inspiration changed now that you are settled in?
[22:35] - Tansley describes her leadership style as servant leadership
[25:48] - How has your leadership changed over your career?
[27:18] - What has your people at Canvas heard you say over and over?
[29:11] - What mistakes have you made over the length of your career that you see others make?
[31:45] - What piece of advice or life lesson does Tansley stilluse?
[32:55] - How do you keep everything fresh in your business?
[34:50] - Elevating everyone's voice is what Tansley feels makes Canvas unique?
[35:52] - What does your work life integration look like?
[38:32] - What is the first time Tansley got into memorable trouble?
[39:29] - What routine do you

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"If we are going to leave a legacy in life, let's leave a rich one." - Mark Weber

Welcome to episode 35 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder, and publisher of CUInsight.com. In this episode, Randy is talking to Mark Weber CEO and Chairman of Strum, the new face of Weber Marketing Group. Strum with Mark at the helm is doing research into artificial intelligence and other ways to make it possible for credit unions data to be actionable.

Mark shares the journey to rebranding and restructuring to make Strum a voice for credit unions and credit union customers. Adapting new ideas into an old structure to make sure customers are getting the most up to date innovation available to help them navigate the savings highway.

Randy and Mark get into his work with Agros International, he describes the work that they have done in his many years with the organization. They buy land and sell it to people in poverty, people who couldn’t buy it on their own and let them turn it into a future that they had no way of having before, this is just one way they are changing lives and building hope.

This episode is full of ways that credit unions are changing and keeping up with technology, don’t miss the interesting and at times amusing interaction between these two friends as they take us through the ups and downs in a credit union journey.

View the full show notes here.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

How to find Mark:Mark Weber, CEO and Chairman of Strum
mark.weber@strumagency.com
www.strumagency.com
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook

In This Episode:[02:04] - Welcome to the show Mark Weber CEO and Chairman of Strum.
[02:33] - What in Mark's opinion are the greatest challenges for credit unions today?
[04:20] - Did the fast pace of change in the financial services area motivate you to rebrand Strum?
[07:04] - Is Strum working to solve the problem of making all the data credit unions have actionable?
[10:10] - How did you feel when you saw the new company name for the first time on the building?
[12:22] - Strum is working on artificial intelligence for that help credit union leaders to track the data and share results.
[14:02] - What is your reaction to the phrase that’s the way we’ve always done it?
[16:32] - What are the things that need to be adapted in the credit union industry to keep up with the new trends that customers want?
[18:31] - Does your core values have anything to do with the work you’ve done in Latin America and Africa?
[22:02] - Mark shares his love of Agros International and the way they help people in poverty in many countries, building hope.
[24:53] - What inspired Mark to open Weber Marketing 30 years ago and work in credit unions?
[28:22] - Has the inspiration changed over the years?
[30:19] - Mark describes his leadership style as hands-on but his employees call it too hands-on but approachable.
[35:15] - What is the greatest strength of Mark's crew at Strum?
[37:54] - What has Ma

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"It’s very easy to find the right answer to the wrong question." - Melina Palmer

Welcome to episode 34 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. On this episode, Randy is chatting with Melina Palmer the host of The Brainy Business podcast and a teacher of behavioral economics. She helps entrepreneurs and companies to understand the small changes that can make a big difference in increasing engagement.

Listen in as Melina shares how she found behavioral economics, what it is, and why it matters in business and personal life. She shares some fantastic metaphors to explain how the conscious and subconscious mind work together to make decisions and how you can change small things to become more creative and productive.

Randy and Melina then move into behavior and business and how the two correlate. Melina provides data on topics such as pricing, anchoring and adjustments, and the words businesses should avoid in marketing. She provides some truly valuable information for ways to reach your members that make them want to keep doing business with you.

This episode is chock full of ways that credit unions can appeal to the subconscious and conscious minds of their members and potential members. Don’t miss the end when Melina shares her leadership and lifehacks. The nuggets she provides don’t stop in part 1.

View the full show notes here.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

How to find Melina:Melina Palmer, Host of The Brainy Business Podcast
melina@thebrainybusiness.com
www.thebrainybusiness.com
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

In This Episode:[01:58] - Welcome to the show Melina Palmer, the host of The Brainy Business Podcast.
[02:52] - How did Melina get involved in behavioral economics and what is it?
[05:23] - Why does behavioral economics matter in business and in life?
[10:42] - Pricing and behavior, do they correlate?
[13:36] - Melina explains anchoring and adjustments, what they are and how you can use them.
[17:07] - What are the top 5 wording mistakes businesses make?
[19:46] - Are there positive ways to trigger the brain?
[23:10] - What is the ROI for the credit union by using behavioral economics?
[23:44] - Melina shares what inspired her to leave the credit union for teaching and public speaking?
[25:16] - Has the inspiration changed as she moved and evolved in her business?
[27:14] - How has Melina’s view of leadership changed since studying behavioral economics?
[28:34] - What does Melina say frequently?
[29:45] - Melina shares the mistakes she sees young leaders make.
[31:09] - What piece of advice does Melina go back to time after time?
[32:35] - How does Melina climb

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"If you don’t want to know the truth, don’t ask the question." - George Hofheimer

Welcome to episode 33 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. On this episode, Randy is chatting with George Hofheimer, the EVP Chief Research and Development Officer at Filene. Learn all about George’s time in the Peace Corps, the challenges credit unions face today, and what’s new at Filene.

Filene is a research organization invested in providing needed information to the benefit of credit unions. They hear the good, the bad, and the ugly in credit union board rooms and George shares his insights on the future of credit unions. Also, listen in and learn why talent management and inclusion are extremely important to that future.

George talks about his family history in the Peace Corps and how it has impacted his life and career. All three stages of our conversation were packed with fantastic advice and insights for both business and life. You won’t want to miss a second.

View the full show notes here.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

How to find George:George Hofheimer, EVP + Chief Research + Development Officer
filene.org
georgeh@filene.org
LinkedIn | Twitter

In This Episode:[00:30] - Welcome back to the show and learn about this episode’s guest, George Hofheimer.
[01:58] - George and Randy talk about their introversion and what led to this episode happening.
[02:51] - Filene is in an interesting position to understand the challenges credit unions face today and tomorrow, and George shares these insights.
[04:41] - What is Filene and what do they do?
[06:25] - How should credit unions move forward in the war for talent and how do equity and inclusion apply?
[10:51] - Listen to George react to the phrase, “That’s the way we’ve always done it.”
[12:12] - Learn what credit unions need to do to stay relevant in the industry.
[15:29] - How does technology factor into credit unions today?
[17:39] - Get in touch with Filene…
[20:20] - What inspired George to start with Filene and why is he still there?
[22:14] - Learn how George leads, what his teams say about it, and their greatest strength.
[25:00] - What does George say all the time?
[25:53] - Not asking for help or advice, the number one mistake young leaders make.
[28:40] - How the Peace Corps attributed to George’s most impactful life lesson.
[31:11] - What does George do to get over the walls and roadblocks he encounters?
[32:05] - Learn how he balances work and life.
[35:35] - The first time George got into memorable trouble…
[38:08] - George’s daily routines involve taking a walk with his dog.
[38:47] - Favorite album: Darkness on the Edge of Town - Bruce Springsteen
[39:17] - Recommended book: Sarge: The Life and Times of Sargent Shriver by Scott Stossel
[40:33]

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“The highway is littered with dead squirrels who couldn't make up their mind.” - Bob TrunzoWelcome to episode 32 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. On this episode, Randy is chatting with Bob Trunzo the president and CEO of CUNA Mutual Group. Learn about the pace of change in financial services, agile technology, and why risks are important to take.

Bob and Randy start the conversation off discussing how credit unions need to adapt to stay relevant. Bob shares his thoughts on digital innovation and why keeping up with the technology is imperative for credit union survival. Technology saves the credit union and the members time and money which is what will keep both happy.

Bob also chats about the role of CUNA Mutual Group in setting an example for changes in thoughts and actions around inclusion and diversity. Credit unions need to look, feel, and act like their members to keep those members. It doesn’t matter where you come from, it only matters that you have a heart for service and a drive for excellence.

Learn more about Bob in the life and leadership hacks and rapid-fire questions as well. He shares his yearly notecard ritual, his Peloton obsession, and the book that he’s read over and over again. You won’t want to miss this conversation. It’s fast-paced and enlightening.

View the full show notes here.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

How to find Bob:Robert Trunzo
President and CEO, CUNA Mutual Group
www.cunamutual.com
robert.trunzo@cunamutual.com
LinkedIn

In This Episode:[00:30] - Welcome back to the show and learn about this episode’s guest, Bob Trunzo.
[02:14] - First up Bob chats about how he has helped CUNA Mutual Group move into the digital age.
[04:15] - Bob shares his thoughts on the biggest challenges facing credit unions today.
[06:39] - Bob describes CUNA Mutual Group today and it’s not your mom and dad’s company.
[09:41] - How does CUNA Mutual Group stay agile?
[11:20] - What causes Bob to pull the plug on opportunities when they don’t pan out?
[13:14] - Bob comments on diversity and inclusion and why it is an important focus for CUNA Mutual Group.
[17:06] - How do they keep the culture positive at CUNA Mutual Group with all the transitions and changes?
[18:18] - Any credit union behaviors or beliefs that need to change to stay relevant?
[19:47] - What keeps Bob excited about where the industry is going?
[20:42] - Bob shares his inspiration for taking the job as president and CEO of CUNA Mutual Group and how it has changed over the years.
[23:16] - Does Bob feel he’s changed as a leader?
[25:53] - What does say so often that his team can finish his sentence?
[26:37] - Bob thinks a mistake young leaders make is not making a decision.
[27:38] - Why Bob’s Miller Park Stadium project was such a memorable failure in his career.
[29:21] - How does Bob push through when he runs into a wall on a project?
[30:30] - Bob shares what he does to recharge.
[31:55] - Enter the start of the rapid-fire questions: flirti

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“Great leaders understand that everyone needs intentional attention.” - Neen James

Welcome to episode 31 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. Today Randy is chatting with Neen James, the author of Folding Time and Attention Pays. She is also a top leadership expert and motivational speaker who challenges those she works with to leverage their focus and pay attention to what matters in work and life.

Randy and Neen discuss the evolution of her philosophies on time and attention management and why she doesn’t believe time management exists. They dig deep into what great leaders need in their toolbox to inspire and serve their teams. Neen also shares why she believes that work and life are not separate facets of your life, but instead create a whole you.

This conversation is a fast-paced gold mine of actionable advice and thought-provoking ideas. If you have thought to yourself that you need an inspiring conversation to get you out of your leadership funk, this is the episode for you. Listen in and then comment with your favorite tip.

View the full show notes here.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

How to find Neen:Neen James
Author and Leadership Speaker
www.neenjames.com
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube

In This Episode:[00:28] - Welcome back to the show! This week’s guest is Neen James, a top leadership speaker, and author.
[03:31] - What does it mean to need attention to get results?
[04:59] - Work and life are inseparable, learn how to change your thinking on these topics.
[06:07] - Learn the keys to productivity and attention management with the 15-minute rule.
[09:11] - Why “no” is such a productive word! (and how it makes a complete sentence!)
[11:05] - What makes a good leader great?
[13:39] - Neen shares why she doesn’t believe in time management.
[16:47] - Why are we are the enemy of our attention, not technology?
[20:36] - Learn how paying attention results in ROI for a business, including in talent management.
[23:00] - Neen talks about the path she took to become this version of herself.
[25:25] - How has the inspiration changed as she has developed as a speaker?
[27:29] - Evolution has been the key to keeping her message fresh over time.
[29:47] - Listen to Neen’s reaction to the phrase, “That’s the way we’ve always done it.”
[32:43] - “Listen with your eyes.” — Neen’s most tweeted line and most used phrase.
[36:33] - What does Neen do to get past problems she faces or walls that drop in her path?
[39:21] - Learn how Neen recharges and spends her downtime.
[41:10] - Neen shares the first time she got into memorable trouble.
[42:34] - How matcha tea has made it into Neen’s daily routines.
[43:45] - Best album of all time… The Greatest Showman Soundtrack!
[44:45] - The two books Neen gifts are,

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"Start early, be bold, and just follow your heart." - Teresa Freeborn

Welcome to episode 30 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. Today’s guest is Teresa Freeborn the president and CEO of Xceed Financial Credit Union and a board member of CUNA. Randy and Teresa discuss awareness, inclusion, and the things credit unions need to do to stay relevant in today’s financial world

As a board member for CUNA, Teresa has been a champion of the national awareness campaign. CUNA is committed to increasing awareness about credit unions in the market. With their updated market research on the understanding of credit unions and how they work, the campaign has aimed to debunk the myths surrounding the financial institutions.

Along with awareness, Teresa is committed to increasing the levels of inclusion and diversity in her own credit union and driving changes by speaking up. She is no longer happy with staying silent when any of the “-isms” come up and charges everyone with not staying silent any longer.

Listen in to learn how Teresa made her way to the top spot, her views on leadership, and how credit unions must change to stay relevant. So many nuggets were shared in this episode, you won’t want to miss them.

View the full show notes here.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher

How to find Teresa:Teresa Freeborn, President & CEO of Xceed Financial Credit Union
tfreeborn@xfcu.org
www.xfcu.org
LinkedIn

In This Episode:[00:30] - Welcome back to the show! Today’s guest is Teresa Freeborn, the president and CEO of Xceed Financial Credit Union.
[02:56] - Teresa shares information about the CUNA Awareness Campaign and its necessity.
[05:26] - Collaboration is one of the things that will turn the tide for credit unions in the future.
[05:52] - Teresa discusses the challenges credit unions face in today’s market.
[06:59] - CUNA’s market research revealed interesting misconceptions the market has about credit unions.
[09:55] - What are the roadblocks to inclusion in credit unions?
[15:18] - What advice would Teresa give to people looking to prove themselves in the industry?
[17:52] - Teresa’s national work has improved the thoughts and views of her credit union. She chats about how.
[20:02] - Hear how Teresa reacts to the phrase, that’s the way we’ve always done it.
[21:21] - Any fundamental beliefs that will need to change to improve credit union relevance?
[22:37] - Teresa shares what inspired her to take the top leadership role in her institution.
[24:32] - Learn how Teresa’s inspiration has changed the longer she’s been in her role as well as how she describes her leadership style.
[27:19] - The greatest strengths of her team are honesty and integrity.
[27:47] - The one line Teresa uses over and over again is…
[28:19] - Teresa chats about the mistakes she made early on in her career and what she would have done differently.
[2

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"If you become complacent, your business begins to fail." - Charlie Amato

Welcome to episode 29 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder, and publisher of CUInsight.com. Today’s guest is Charlie Amato. Charlie is the chairman and co-founder of SWBC, a board member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, and one of the owners of the San Antonio Spurs. His bio is long and his contacts are big names, but service is one of the pillars of his character.

Gary and Charlie have created a culture of service and charity within SWBC and credit that culture for maintaining their beliefs through numerous changes in the business over the years. Charlie reveals their strategy for attracting and retaining their workforce, why technology is so important in today’s market, and why service has been a mainstay in his life.

If you don’t have a pen and paper handy, press pause and get them. Charlie shares so many great nuggets of information, you won’t want to miss them. Let Randy know your thoughts on his intriguing conversation with Charlie.

View the full show notes here.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher

How to find Charlie:Charlie Amato, Chairman and Co-founder of SWBC
www.swbc.com
LinkedIn

In This Episode:[00:29] - Welcome back! Randy introduces today’s guest, Charlie Amato.
[02:10] - The conversation starts off diving into Charlie and Gary’s belief in customer service first.
[03:23] - The culture of their company maintains the beliefs that Charlie and Gary have.
[04:20] - Charlie shares what good customer service looks like to him.
[05:02] - What kinds of changes has Charlie seen in his 43 years of being in business.
[06:44] - Charlie chats about the labor shortage in Texas and what SWBC is doing to attract and retain their labor force.
[08:05] - Adapting to technology is one of the most important things businesses can do today.
[10:26] - What advice does Charlie have for burgeoning entrepreneurs?
[11:04] - How did the concern for community grow and mature for Charlie?
[13:05] - Does Charlie wear all the NBA Championship rings?
[15:33] - The inspiration Charlie and Gary had for starting their company has not faded.
[17:00] - Charlie leads by example but works to maintain his health as well.
[18:14] - The team would describe Charlie as a team player, a builder, a people person, and a member of the family.
[19:40] - Understanding the complexities of SWBC is a strength of the leadership team.
[21:17] - Don’t be afraid to make a mistake, the advice Charlie would give his younger self.
[24:55] - Repetition in their statements and consistency keeps their message fresh.
[25:37] - Charlie has an exotic game ranch that he retreats to when he needs to recharge.
[26:33] - Charlie recounts getting in trouble after a football game when emotions got heated.
[28:03] - Working out in the morning is necessary.
[28:34] - The Four Seasons is Charlie’s favorite band.
[28:29] - You should read Grit, it speaks to work ethic!
[30:16] - Time and quality of life are more important as he gets older.
[32:11] - Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger come to mind wh

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“Live simply, care deeply, speak kindly, and give of your time and your treasure.” - Adrian Johnson

Welcome to episode 28 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. Today’s guest is Adrian Johnson the senior vice president and chief financial officer of MECU of Baltimore. He is also the board chair of the African American Credit Union Coalition. We chat about the mission and purpose of the credit union in the Baltimore community and giving back.

After leaving the banking world, Adrian found the credit union and loved the servant mindset and ability to give back to his community. He was hooked. He has spent his entire working life making a difference in the lives of the people in his credit union and his community. His work on the AACUC has helped increase the level of diversification in credit unions in his area, but his goal has not been met.

Learn more about credit unions impact their surrounding communities and why the war for talent is heating up. Adrian has been in the business for more than 40 years and has innumerable insights to share.

View the full show notes here.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher

How to find Adrian Johnson:Adrian Johnson, SVP and CFO of MECU of Baltimore
ajohnson@mecu.com
www.mecu.com
LinkedIn | Twitter

In This Episode:

[00:28] - Welcome back to the show! Randy introduces Adrian Johnson, today’s guest.

[02:18] - Adrian talks about the impact of MECU in Baltimore and the culture they create.

[03:37] - At MECU, the goal is to attract people who are service oriented and want to make a difference. Adrian shares how they are waging the war for talent.

[06:53] - The drive to help people was ingrained early on for Adrian and has gotten stronger as he’s grown in his career.

[10:30] - What threats are credit unions facing?

[12:07] - Adrian joined the AACUC in 2002 and chats about the impact it has had on his life and career and the credit union world as a whole.

[15:27] - Randy shares one of his favorite credit union experiences, that happened at an AACUC event.

[16:26] - Reach out to Adrian if you want to get more involved with the AACUC.

[18:00] - Learn why Adrian started in the industry and why he has stayed.

[20:40] - As like many other credit union leaders, Adrian identifies as a servant leader.

[21:35] - The team would say Adrian is approachable, honest, a team player, and focused on team success.

[24:01] - Any mistakes he made or that he sees made over and over again?

[25:27] - “To whom much is given, much is required”, “Be careful what you ask for because you just might get it!”, and “Live simply, care deeply, speak kindly, and give of your time and your treasure.” are phrases Adrian’s team hears often.

[26:27] - His focus on diversification has led to a strong, teamwork driven team.

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“Truly trust that life works and that things will work out.” - Lois Kitsch

Welcome to episode 27 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. Today’s guest is Lois Kitsch the co-founder of CU Difference. She has worked for years in developing bright minds not only in the credit union space but also within the world as a whole.

Lois and I sat down while in Kenya to discuss the developmental education programs both in the US and abroad and how they mirror each other. We share our love of travel and how meaningful the experience in Africa was. We also discuss how credit unions benefit from being involved in aid programs for other countries.

This was a truly special episode recorded during an amazing trip abroad. Listen in to learn how Lois’s work with DE in the United States has helped her with her passions in Africa. If you’re interested in learning how to become more involved in cooperative development abroad, contact Lois at cudifference.com.

View the full show notes here.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher

How to find Lois:Lois Kitsch, Co-founder of CU Difference
lois@cudifference.com
www.cudifference.com
LinkedIn | Facebook

In This Episode:[00:33] - Welcome back to the show! Randy introduces Lois Kitsch, today’s guest.
[03:12] - Lois shares the recording location for the day’s episode, Kenya.
[03:54] - Learn more about the international version of the developmental education program.
[05:50] - 43% of Kenyans have no access to clean water, just one of the concerns that credit unions in Africa are tackling.
[06:37] - Inclusion of women and children in Africa is another big issue that cooperatives are tackling.
[07:39] - Credit union movements in Africa are very diverse and Lois provides more information about them.
[09:17] - What are the benefits to US credit unions of participating in programs like ACDE?
[10:59] - If you want to find out more about the development education programs in Africa, contact Lois.
[12:39] - How did Lois get involved in credit unions and what is her inspiration for continuing on?
[14:12] - Lois was 45 when she first left the United States and has been to almost 70 different countries.
[14:46] - Her favorite place to travel to is Masai Mara Kenya.
[15:31] - “Trust the process,” one of Lois’s favorite sayings.
[16:13] - Biggest mistakes that Lois made as a new leader were not trusting herself and second-guessing herself.
[17:03] - Lois says she’d tell her 25-year-old self to find balance and work better not harder.
[21:38] - Trust the process in DE, but trust the process in life as well.
[22:15] - Outside of credit union development, Lois likes doing yoga, walking, and drumming.
[23:32] - Lois skipped out in high school and blamed it on her twin sister.
[24:13] - Daily routine when she’s home is to do yoga, but when she’s traveling it falls away.
[24:44] - Favorite artists are Chris Botti,

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"Admit it, correct it, and put in place procedures to prevent it from happening again." - Lynette SmithWelcome to episode 26 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. Today’s guest is Lynette Smith the president and CEO of TruEnergy FCU and serves on the boards of the African American Credit Union Coalition and the Metropolitan Area Credit Union Management Association. We discuss rebranding and determining when it is necessary for a business. We also talk about the 2011 CEO of the Year Award she received for leading a smaller credit union and how to keep those smaller credit unions relevant in the current market.

Lynette and I start off our conversation digging into the complete process of rebranding and all of the requirements you need to take into account. We discuss branding companies and their capabilities and distinctions. We also discuss the reason behind rebranding and the value that it brings when done appropriately. The undertaking is massive, but for True Energy FCU it was incredibly worth it.

We then begin our discussion on the challenges smaller credit unions face while trying to stay relevant in today’s market. Lynette believes the biggest challenges are found in keeping up with compliance and technology. While there is admittedly value in updating technology, it is difficult to support the initial costs. In addition, we talk about the importance of credit union associations and the connections you make when you get involved.

Listen to this episode if rebranding is in your future. The information and insights Lynette shares are invaluable in understanding the requirements and the process. We also discuss keeping smaller credit unions relevant in today’s market. You won’t want to miss this!

View the full show notes here.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher

How to find Lynette:Lynette Smith
President & CEO of TruEnergy FCU
lsmith@truenergyfcu.org
LinkedIn

In This Episode:[00:03] - Welcome back to the show! Randy introduces Lynette Smith, today’s guest.
[02:26] - We dive into the rebranding of TruEnergy FCU and the reason behind it.
[03:49] - Lynette talks about the process of rebranding in detail, from hiring a branding team to notifying the board.
[06:07] - The person responsible for coordinating the rebranding was their COO.
[06:50] - They were not able to use the same marketing firm for the branding change versus branding awareness.
[10:53] - Lynette discusses the beauty of the FAQ page they created and how it helped their customers.
[11:27] - We switch gears and discuss the challenges that the smaller credit unions face.
[12:23] - The biggest problem is keeping up with compliance and technology.
[13:06] - Can technology help the small credit unions?
[14:42] - Handling cyber threats and salary structures are also huge problems.
[15:44] - As a leader and CEO do you sell the idea that y

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"Do what you love and love what you do." - Linda Bodie

Welcome to episode 25 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. Today’s guest is Linda Bodie the president and CEO of Element Federal Credit Union in Charleston, WV. We discuss her path to leadership as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion. Linda also talks about what small credit unions should do to stay relevant and thrive in today’s market.

Linda and I started our conversation at CO-OP Think this year talking about diversity and inclusion — a huge topic in the industry today. Unfortunately, many times the words are used interchangeably but diversity is more of an adjective and inclusion is more indicative of acceptance. We delve into Linda’s path to the top and the challenges she has faced a woman and a lesbian in a male-dominated industry.

We then move through various topics surrounding the fundamental differences in experience between women and men. From there we discuss the process that Linda feels will have the most impact on changing the culture within credit unions and business in general. Finally, we discuss the role of technology in evening out the playing field between credit unions and larger banking institutions.

Tune in to today’s episode to learn all about how addressing diversity and inclusion leads to better collaboration and sustainability! After all, sustainability is the goal of every credit union in today’s banking environment.

View the full show notes here.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher

How to find Linda:
Linda Bodie
President & CEO of Element Federal Credit Union
linda.bodie@elementfcu.org
www.elementfcu.org
Twitter | LinkedIn

In This Episode:[00:03] - Welcome back to the show! Randy introduces Linda Bodie, today’s guest.
[02:05] - We discuss the difference between diversity and inclusion.
[03:27] - What are the biggest challenges to women and the LGBTQ community getting a seat at the table?
[05:41] - We then discuss how education can impact inclusion.
[06:59] - Linda shares the challenges she faced in reaching the top.
[09:24] - Given her experiences, Linda has worked to change the culture of the industry.
[11:30] - At what level should the biggest changes be made, individual, local, or national?
[14:11] - What advice does Linda give to those who want to get involved in the process of change?
[15:45] - Use what you have to get to a solution - Linda talks about what that means.
[17:42] - Element Federal Credit Union was the first institution to have remote deposit capability on the iPhone.
[19:09] - We discuss the Element promise and the employee pledge.
[21:05] - When you hear, that’s what’s always been done, how does that make you feel?
[22:02] - There are three components to Element’s ability to thrive in a shrinking industry, attitude, grit, and collaboration.
[24:21] - Is there a fundamental be

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"Deal decisively with mediocrity." - John Spence

Welcome to episode 24 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. Today’s guest is John Spence is a consultant and coach to organizations all over the world. He works with startups and businesses in the Fortune 10. He’s been named as one of the top 50 leaders to watch by the American Management Association. He is committed to making the complex, Awesomely Simple.

John and I discuss the importance of communication in all areas of life, but especially in business. John also walks us through the 5-steps to creating a culture of accountability. Communication is nothing if there is no accountability. In brief, clarity, managing expectations, agreement, track and post, coach, mentor, train, support, and celebrating success all lead to strong communication and strong, capable teams.

Bonus! John reveals his four moments of truth: they are different for every organization. We discuss the food service industry. The food is amazing, the prices are reasonable, but the bathroom is disgusting, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? You look at a financial institution, your customers want it done right, it should be easy, they want to be treated well, and the whole thing should be easy!

Listen today to learn how communication and accountability are the keystones to success in any business but especially in credit unions and banking. Deal decisively with mediocrity and you will inspire excellence.

View the full show notes here.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher

How to find John:
John Spence
Consultant and coach to startups and the Fortune 10.
john@johnspence.com
www.johnspence.com
Twitter | LinkedIn |Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

In This Episode:[00:06] - Welcome back to the show! Randy introduces John Spence this episode’s guest
[02:45] - Communication - the lynchpin of John’s beliefs in business and life.
[03:29] - 3 words to define communication: open, honest, and robust!
[04:10] - Single most important thing that people look for in a leader - They ask great questions!
[05:08] - Life Hack - If what you’re about to say won’t add any value to the conversation, don’t say it.
[06:35] - The biggest problem with companies is a lack of accountability and execution
[07:47] - Just because you can measure something, doesn’t mean you should!
[08:32] - “Ambiguity breeds mediocrity.” one of John’s favorite quotes!
[11:11] - How do you hold people accountable in your organization?
[11:46] - 5-Steps to Creating a Culture of Accountability
[16:25] - John shares his four moments of truth.
[17:50] - John shares his path to his current success and breaking

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"You can operationalize empathy." - Jeanne Bliss
Welcome to episode 23 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. Today’s guest is Jeanne Bliss the founder and president of Customer Bliss and the co-founder of the Customer Experience Professional Association. She is one of the foremost experts on customer-centric leadership and the role of the chief customer officer. She is a consultant and thought leader. She guides C-suites all over the world toward earning the right business growth by improving customer lives. She is also an author, podcaster, and blogger.

We recorded this episode prior to Jeanne’s presentation at the CO-OP Think Event and start our conversation discussing business in general and redefining the customer service model. She explains the difference between customer service and customer experience. Rather than focusing on your key performance indicators and how the customer factors into the numbers, give customers what they need and your KPI will show the impact.

Traditionally, the number of incoming new customers are indicative of success. Instead, Jeanne says that businesses should focus on net growth. Having 50 new customers means nothing if 35 existing customers no longer do business with your organization.

Jeanne’s new book Would You Do That to Your Mother discusses making business personal. Business leaders need to see their customers as human rather than as metrics. Empower employees to make decisions in the moment of conflict to take care of the customer. Your employee will feel like a partner in the business, and your customer will feel heard.

Listen today to learn how customer experience should drive business decisions and employee engagement. We talk about Jeanne’s path through various corporate positions and creating the customer experience process and position.

How to find Jeanne:

Jeanne Bliss

Founder & President of Customer Bliss

Co-Founder of the Customer Experience Professional Association

jeanne@customerbliss.com

www.customerbliss.com

Twitter | LinkedIn | Podcast

Show notes from this episode:

Conferences mentioned: CO-OP Think Event
Book mentioned: Would You Do That to Your Mother - Jeanne Bliss

Company mentioned: Alaska Airlines - We Trust You Toolkit case study

Company mentioned: Land’s End

Shout out: Gary Comer

Company mentioned: Mazda Motors of America

Company mentioned: Coldwell Banker

Compa

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"You show me your wallet and I’ll show you your values." - Bradley Leimer

Welcome to episode 22 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. Today’s guest is Bradley Leimer the co-founder of Unconventional Ventures. He works with startups in the fintech ecosystem and mentors entrepreneurs. He believes in bringing diversity to the fintech ecosystem and that anybody with a great idea should have the chance to succeed. He truly is one of the most respected names in the fintech space and I was very excited to get to speak with him.

We recorded this episode prior to Bradley’s talk at the CO-OP Think Event and start our conversation with a discussion on the future of the community banking model. Bradley talks about the concept of payments and the distinct difference in mindset around payments in other parts of the world versus the American view. I then brought up my trip to Indonesia and the fact that the Asian markets no longer carry cash. Applications are now the primary form of payments.

Following our discussion of the impact of technology on the banking industry, we dive into data collection and use. Bradley shares that while credit unions are poised to be able to use data more effectively than larger institutions, many times the relationship with their technology partner is not strong enough. He then gives examples of how credit unions could better collaborate with their technology partners.

Tune in to today’s episode to learn all about how technology and data collection are changing the landscape of finance and financial institutions. We’ll talk about Bradley’s start in the finance space, his innumerable travels, and his advice for financial institutions in the digital age.

You can find all past episodes of The CUInsight Experience here.

How to find Brad:Bradley Leimer
Co-founder of Unconventional Ventures
bradley@unconventionalventures.com
www.unconventionalventures.com
Twitter | LinkedIn | Podcast

In This Episode:

[00:03] - Welcome back to the show! Randy introduces Bradley Leimer, this episode’s guest.

[02:40] - What’s the biggest disruption to credit unions that you see in the future?

[04:30] - We discuss the move toward apps to make payments.

[05:05] - Is there a threat to the relevance of traditional financial institutions?

[06:44] - Communities are starting to be less served by banks and credit unions based in those communities.

[07:19] - Is there a place for credit unions that are going to stay relevant and fintech to work together?

[08:30] - Regulators are becoming more receptive to open banking regulations. Create open shares for data shares between different institutions.

[09:48] - What’s the lobby? Is fintech attaching to the bank lobby or trying to change other rules?

[10:35] - What’s been the biggest challenge of working with people in the fintech space?

[13:01] - Are the fintechs looking to partner with the more traditional system?

[14:30] - What do you mean by financial services not being age agnostic?

[16:15] - We discuss how data is affecting the customer experience and how it is being used today in other industries.

[18:03] - Bradley talks about how data can now reveal customer value based on spending and habits.

[19:09] - How is the collection and use of data going to be affected by huge breaches

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"Every time my mouth is open I’m not able to learn what others know." - Leo Ardine
Welcome to episode 21 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. In case you haven’t already heard of Leo Ardine, let me give a brief introduction. He’s the President and CEO of United Teletech Financial, a board member of the New Jersey Credit Union League, and a graduate of the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute. And that’s just the beginning! He’s also a coach, instructor, speaker, and facilitator. I’ve been looking forward to this conversation for a long time, and I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!

We start things off by chatting about meditation. Leo was trying to figure it out, he explains, when he learned that Google hacked meditation to figure out what happens to the brain when people meditate. By combining this with emotional intelligence, he explains, we can become better people. This is what held him to study at Google’s Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute.

Speaking of emotional intelligence, we’ll dig into the topic: both why it’s so important (personally and professionally), and whether it’s something you’re born with or can develop. He’ll offer advice on how to get started in meditation, even if you struggle with sitting still, can’t calm your mind, or feel like you’re just generally bad at meditating. Don’t miss this episode, which I hope will help you make progress not only in your career, but your whole life! Enjoy.

Full show notes on www.CUInsight.com.

How to find Leo:Leo Ardine
President and CEO, United Teletech Financial FCU
leo@wisdomleader.org
www.utfinancial.org
Linkedin

In This Episode:

[00:03] - Welcome back to the show! Randy introduces Leo Ardine, this episode’s guest.

[02:42] - How did Leo get involved with the Google mindfulness training program? Will the program accept anyone who wants to take it, or is there a process to get in?

[04:50] - Leo talks about whether his work in emotional intelligence is part of this program, or an add-on that he built in.

[07:18] - We hear about Leo’s tips and hacks for creating space when we’re under a constant onslaught of emails, messages, and so on.

[09:12] - Leo explains to listeners why emotional intelligence is so important, both in our personal lives and as a leader.

[11:31] - The nature of work today makes us more insular and pulls our focus in and down, Leo points out.

[14:36] - Leo makes another suggestion for listeners: turn off notifications on your phone.

[15:44] - Does Leo feel like he has always had high emotional intelligence?

[18:47] - We hear about the ROI for the credit union of mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and training in these topics.

[22:04] - Does Leo have any hacks for the person who wants to meditate but just can’t sit still?

[25:15] - For Randall, journaling is almost a form of meditation as well, he explains.

[27:27] - What originally inspired Leo to take the gig as President and CEO of Teletech Financial? And how has that inspiration changed over the course of his time on the job?

[29:47] - We hear how Leo would describe his leadership style, as well as how his team would describe it. He also talks about where the transition in his leadership style came from.

[34:07] - As a leader, is there something that Leo’s team has heard him say so many times that they could finish his sentence?

[35:40] - When Leo thinks back to early in his career, is there a mistake that he

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“We are all just experimenting all the time." - Caroline Willard
Welcome to episode 20 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. I’m excited to introduce Caroline Willard, the President and CEO of the Cornerstone Credit Union League, as today’s guest! She’s also a board member of CUNA and one of my scuba diving and travel buddies. We’ll dig into gender diversity and the need for inclusion, innovation and disruption in credit unions, and much more! (We’ll do our best not to get distracted by chatting about traveling and diving.)

Early in our conversation, Caroline talks about Ronaldo Hardy’s gumbo analogy. Diversity is having all of the right ingredients on your counter. Inclusion is making sure they all make it into the pot. Equity is making sure that the ratios are balanced so that the dish turns out well. After sharing this powerful point, she explains that the push for transformation has to happen at all three levels (individual, credit union, and national). With that said, we need to start now instead of waiting for broader change at the national level.

In addressing how credit unions respond to disruption, Caroline points out that they tend to adapt and lead with what’s important to their membership. She’ll give some specific examples of people and credit unions who are listening to their membership and responding by creating a different experience.

We’ll also dig into the importance of having a safe space where people can share their opinions without holding back, the value of branching out to different disciplines, the difference between fearlessness and recklessness, and much more. Because we can’t resist, we’ll even touch on how traveling relates to Caroline’s professional life. Enjoy!

Full show notes on www.CUInsight.com. How to find Caroline:Caroline Willard
President and CEO, Cornerstone Credit Union League
cwillard@cornerstoneleague.coop
www.cornerstoneleague.coop
Twitter | Linkedin

Show notes from this episode:Check out all the great work Caroline and her team are doing at the Cornerstone Credit Union League.
McKinsey & Company: Why Diversity Matters
Shout-out: Ronaldo Hardy
Conference mentioned: Women’s Leadership Conference
Caroline mentioned how they are doing executive searches at Credit Union Resources, Inc. Find out more here.
Shout-out: Marcus Cotton
Caroline was on the senior management team at CO-OP Financial Services in her previous life.
Shout-out:

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"The chore of banking sucks. It’s remarkably boring.”

Welcome to episode 19 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. Bryan Clagett is the Chief Marketing Officer at Geezeo, a Forbes contributor, and a member of the Forbes Communication Council. He’s an active part in the online conversation about credit unions, banking, fintech, and all things digital transformation. I go to him for questions on all things fintech or digital disruption, and I’m excited to have him on the show today to share nuggets of wisdom that we’ll all be able to apply.

These days, Bryan explains, disruption is being driven by the consumer. Expectations are rising, and customers are expecting more of financial institutions. This will be a challenge, but Bryan expects it will also be exciting. From there, he’ll dig into what Geezeo does to help and support credit unions, and share his excitement for advancement in the ability to be more in tune with customers’ needs.

The key for credit union marketers, Bryan points out, is to leverage technology and data as a means to actually talk with members, not just talk at them. Traditional advertising in the financial services sector tends to be boasting rather than consumer-focused. Instead, the focus should be on knowing about members and doing things differently to impact their financial lives.

Tune into today’s episode to learn all about all of these things, as well as how Bryan got involved in financial services, how he keeps his (and Geezeo’s) message fresh, what a free day and work/life balance look like for him, and what his neighbors think of his drone!

Full show notes on www.CUInsight.com.

How to find Bryan:Bryan Clagett
Chief Marketing Officer and Investor, Geezeo
bclagett@geezeo.com
www.geezeo.com
Twitter | Linkedin | Instagram

Show notes from this episode:

Check out the work the folks at Geezeo are doing to help credit unions and their solutions.

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"She who is truest to her authentic self, wins.” - Jill Nowacki

Happy Mother’s Day! In honor of the day, I have an incredibly special guest on the show: my favorite mom, my partner, and the person I get to explore the world with. Jill Nowacki was one of the first and most popular guests on the show, so I’m delighted to have her back for another conversation.

If you’ve listened to the podcast before, you’ve probably heard that many guests answer “mom” to the question of who comes to mind when they hear the word “success.” Jill and I will dig into why this is the case, how much moms do for their families, and how much they often need to juggle and how much pressure they’re under. A lot of this pressure comes from within themselves, Jill explains, but moms don’t make it up and some of it relates to outside expectations.

From there, we’ll shift into talking about moms in the workplace. Jill will share not only her own perspective as both a mom and a professional leader, but also her thoughts on how best to extend opportunities to moms at work without pressuring them. We’ll take some time to chat about Jill’s core values, and how she applies them both at work and in her role as a mom.

Other topics we’ll explore include a personal mission statement (and how to create your own), finding balance and saying “no,” striving to feel good about pursuing what lights you up, an amazing favorite experience that Jill has had with her son, and more. Don’t miss this fantastic conversation with an incredible guest!

Full show notes on www.CUInsight.com.

How to find Jill:Jill Nowacki
Mom. Partner. CEO. Whole Human.
jill@jillnow.com
Twitter | Linkedin

Show notes from this episode:Do more of what lights you up by listening to episode four of The CUInsight Experience (Jill’s first appearance on the show).
Shout-out: Global Women’s Leadership Network
Book mentioned: Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
Shout-out: Leo Ardine
Check this out on YouTube: Hell Yeah or No by Derek Sivers
Book mentioned: Becoming by Michelle Obama
Shout-out: Jill Tomalin for the introduction to Expedition Unknown with Josh Gates to our family.
Favorite children book that makes Jill cry: Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
Jill is such a talent writer. I’m unofficially the president of her fan club. If you’d like to join the club, email me (ha). Or if you’d like to check out her writing. You can find it here on CUInsight. She has more non-credit unions writing on Medium and Elephant Journal.
Jill past appearance on the show: The CUInsight Experience podcast: Jill Nowacki - Do What Lights You Up (#4)
Find all past episodes of The CUInsight Experience here and you'll hear how many people mention their moms.

In This Episode

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"There’s a true opportunity to be dynamic storytellers.”

Welcome to episode 17 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. I’m excited to announce that Michael Reuter is joining me as today’s guest! In case you aren’t already familiar with Mike, he’s the Executive Director of the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions at WOCCU. We’ll chat about everything from the importance of doing global good, the benefits of US credit unions being involved in the larger global movement, and Mike’s own path to credit unions.

Doing global good within this industry, Mike explains, is about taking the “why” of credit unions to a global level. This helps international credit union members who might think that they don’t have the ability to expand their business, grow their farm, or create a better life. Hearing Mike’s passion about this topic is a fantastic reminder of how much of a difference credit unions can make.

One of the things I deeply admire about Mike is his work and leadership style. As you’ll hear today, he views being part of a team as one of the most important aspects of being a leader. It might not surprise you to learn that he’s also acutely aware of the need to listen first while forming opinions, and that he understands the need for patience.

We’ll also dig into what role the Worldwide Foundation plays in addressing challenges resulting from climate change, business reasons for why it makes sense to get involved in the global movement, why storytelling is so important, and much more. If you’re in need of a great dose of inspiration to get you re-enthused about working in the credit union industry, don’t miss this fantastic conversation! Enjoy.

Find the show notes from this episode at CUInsight.com.

How to find Mike:Michael Reuter
Executive Director, Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions
MReuter@woccu.org
www.doglobalgood.org
Twitter |Linkedin | Instagram

In This Episode:

[00:03] - Welcome back to the show! Today’s guest is Michael Reuter, the Executive Director of the Worldwide Foundation at WOCCU.

[02:36] - What does doing global good mean to Michael?

[04:00] - Michael talks about how he hopes that the credit union community engages to do more global good.

[06:33] - Does Michael have a favorite story about the Worldwide Foundation doing good?

[09:50] - We hear about whether there’s a business reason (rather than just wanting to do good) that credit unions in the United States should want to be actively involved in the global movement.

[13:21] - What’s the biggest challenge that the Worldwide Foundation is currently facing?

[17:10] - Michael talks about whether the effects of climate change are something that the Worldwide Foundation addresses.

[18:22] - We learn about how credit unions and individuals can get involved with the Worldwide Foundation.

[21:12] - One of Michael’s favorite posts on the Worldwide Foundation’s blog is one of the earliest ones: Three Ways Global Good Can Grow Your Credit Union.

[22:32] - We move into the second part of the podcast, with Michael explaining what inspired him to take the gig at the Worldwide Foundation.

[25:44] - Michael explains why he went through the Credit Union Development Education (DE) Program.

[27:33] - Is there a belief currently held by credit

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“I’ve never met a regulation I can’t work around.” - Diana Dykstra

Welcome to episode 16 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. The President and CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, Diana Dykstra, is today’s guest! Diana is also on the WOCCU board, the current President of the Western CUNA Management School, and much more. Listen in to our conversation, which will explore everything from why it’s so important for her to be involved on the national and global level, what she’s learned from her experiences, and various aspects of innovation.

Diana learns a lot from the international credit union system, she points out. Seeing credit unions in other countries helps you remember and appreciate how important the credit union movement is worldwide. She also enjoys learning from these international sources, as well as sharing her own insight and knowledge with them.

As you may have gathered by now, Diana is an incredibly busy and productive woman. We’ll chat about her time management system and how she manages to get so much done! She doesn’t really use to-do lists, but always knows what she needs to do the next day, she points out. Thanks to always having been busy, she naturally knows how to manage it and juggle everything she has to do.

Tune into the episode to hear all about these topics, as well as the greatest strengths of Diana’s team, what they’ve heard her say so many times that they could finish her sentence, what inspired her to start working in credit unions (and whether that inspiration has changed), and much more. Enjoy!

Find links to everything we talked about in the show notes on CUInsight.com.

How to find Diana:Diana Dykstra
President and CEO, California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues
dianad@ccul.org
www.ccul.org
Twitter | Linkedin

In This Episode:

[00:03] - Randy welcomes listeners back to the show, and introduces Diana Dykstra.

[02:48] - Did Diana enjoy preparing for the Wegner Award, or was she troubled because she still feels like she has so much to do?

[03:58] - Diana talks about why it’s so important to her to learn from credit union systems internationally.

[05:54] - Does Diana have a favorite experience from her work outside of the United States?

[07:02] - Diana shares the advice that she would give someone who has an interest in the global good and would like to be a part of that system.

[08:22] - We hear about what has continued to motivate Diana over her years of work in credit unions. She also talks about her time management system, and whether she’s good at switching off from work.

[11:10] - What’s Diana’s reaction to the phrase “that’s the way we’ve always done it”?

[12:12] - Is there a belief in credit unions that Diana thinks will have to fundamentally change in the relatively near future?

[13:32] - Diana talks about the war for talent in California’s credit unions.

[15:49] - We hear Diana’s thoughts on the fear of change, and how she helps minimize this for the people who she leads.

[18:39] - Diana chats about whether she has a network of people to lean on for honest feedback, even when it might not be positive.

[19:30] - What inspired Diana originally to ta

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“Credit unions were a disruptor in their space too. They were a radical idea.” - Mike WalshWelcome to episode 15 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. Mike Walsh joins me today for a fascinating conversation with someone who is outside the credit union space. At PSCU Member Forum in Austin, TX, I managed to snag one of the keynote speakers to sit down and chat, and that conversation is this episode! Mike is a futurist, a global nomad, the CEO of Tomorrow, and a consultant who helps leaders thrive in the current era of disruptive technological change.

In our short conversation, we dug into moving from the digital revolution to the algorithmic revolution, the power of data in that move, and how credit unions can capitalize on this. Mike starts things off by explaining what a futurist is, revealing that in fact we’re all futurists in a way. After all, it’s impossible to survive without having some kind of anticipation of what will happen next.

We’ve been through a digital revolution. The revolution that’s coming is an algorithmic one. As Mike points out, this offers opportunities for credit unions, which are already disruptors in their space. However, technology is a double-edged sword, because we all essentially end up with the same systems. This means that the technology itself is no longer an advantage; it’s just taken for granted. Instead, what you do in and around the technology is increasingly what matters more.

In this day and age, all of us are wondering about technology, innovation, and the future, especially as they relate to credit unions. This conversation with Mike addresses those questions, introduces new ones, and gives an insightful perspective into how to move forward.

Links to everything discussed in the show notes on CUInsight.com.

Learn More About Today’s Guest:

Mike Walsh

Mike Walsh on LinkedIn

@mikewalsh on Twitter

Mike Walsh on Instagram

Mike's Books

Mike's Podcast

In This Episode:

[00:03] (intro) - Welcome back to the CUInsight Experience! Randy introduces today’s guest, Mike Walsh.

[00:48] (interview) - Mike addresses two questions: what’s the elevator pitch for what a futurist is, and is there something that he sees happening that credit unions need to wrap their heads around quickly?

[02:04] - We need to reset our expectations about what new versus old means, Mike explains.

[04:18] - Mike points out that credit unions were (and still are) a radical idea and a disruptor in their space.

[05:07] - We learn about the one way to get people who are set in their ways to change their mindset profoundly.

[06:12] - Mike points out that we’re all consumers of IT now, and explains why technology is a double-edged sword.

[08:09] - Is it true that other countries are ahead of the US in a lot of ways when it comes to technology?

[11:47] - We hear Mike’s thoughts on what to do with all the data once you’ve captured it for smaller companies that don’t have data scientists on hand.

[13:31] - Mike chats about how he got his start on his career and ended up doing what he does now.

[14:54] - Does Mike have any tips for being productive while on the road, or hacks for people who are moving into that space? He answers, and also addresses how he manages teams&

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"There are things we have to do collaboratively that we can’t do on our own.” - Dave Adams

Welcome to episode 14 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. Today’s guest is Dave Adams, who is the President and CEO of the Michigan Credit Union League as well as of the CU Solutions Group. He’s had a long career in the credit union system, so check out his bio to learn all about his impressive experience. We’ll talk today about not only the advocacy side of credit unions, but the business side as well.

We’ll launch right into a big topic: a major disruption that Dave currently sees in the credit union system. The relevancy of traditional depository institutions is threatened by technology, he points out. He’s particularly concerned about whether credit unions will think enough about their competitors and provide their members with mobile-first services that will ensure that credit unions will stay relevant.

Dave digs into some things that he thinks will significantly change in the foreseeable future. Collaboration and cooperation between credit unions, too, will need to change and increase, he points out. When we talk about all this change and the inevitable fear and concern that go with it, Dave says that if people aren’t comfortable with change, they shouldn’t be leaders.

We’ll also hear about Dave’s team, which he describes as being more like a football team than a basketball or tennis team. It’s a group of sub-teams rather than a singular team with one purpose, he points out. He’ll dig into a powerful piece of advice that he learned from his mother, chat about how he keeps his message fresh, and his go-to song to play on the guitar. I hope you enjoy today’s conversation as much as I did!

Learn more about today’s guest in the show notes on CUInsight.com.

In This Episode:

[00:03] - Randy welcomes listeners back to the show, and introduces today’s guest, Dave Adams.

[02:13] - Dave starts things off by chatting about the biggest disruption he currently sees in the credit union system, and his concerns about its potential impact on credit unions.

[04:15] - How is Dave’s team at CU Solutions Group helping to bridge the technological gap that he’s been talking about?

[05:34] - We hear about how CUSOs are important to the credit union system, and also unique in financial services.

[08:47] - Dave talks about a current belief held by credit unions that he thinks will significantly change in the foreseeable future.

[10:28] - What advice does Dave have for people who get freaked out by all the change in the industry?

[12:06] - Dave shares his reaction to “that’s the way we’ve always done it.”

[13:18] - We hear about what inspired Dave to take the job as the President and CEO of the Michigan Credit Union League in 1997.

[15:52] - How has Dave’s inspiration changed with his time on the job?

[17:26] - We hear about how Dave would describe his leadership style, as well as whether it has changed throughout his career.

[19:06] - Dave shares his thoughts on the greatest strengths of this time, and how he built it.

[21:36] - As a leader, is there something that the people on Dave’s team have heard him say so often that t

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"Your plan doesn’t mean anything without people” - Brett Martinez

Welcome to episode 13 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. Brett Martinez, the President and CEO of Redwood Credit Union, joins me for today’s episode! In case you’re not already familiar with him, he’s also the CUNA Board Chair and on the Board of Trustees of CU Direct. You’ve probably heard of the wildfires that ravaged the Redwood Credit Union community, and how they raised $32 million in disaster relief. We link to articles on this in the show notes. In our conversation, we’ll talk about the human side of all of this, and what it was like to lead in that unexpected situation.

The first decision that Brett had to make when he saw the flames was whether to cancel the big event they had planned for the next day. This turned out to be a good choice; the building where the event was going to be held caught on fire. Getting his employees and their families to safety was the next priority after that.

As Brett explains today, he has a situational leadership style, so he doesn’t have just one leadership style all the time. This meant that he was well-prepared to handle the fires from a leadership perspective, because he already believes in handling each situation uniquely as it comes up. He’ll chat about various things he did in the aftermath of the disaster, including an at-work daycare so employees could bring their kids, as well as mandatory counseling.

In case you’re concerned that this episode is all about disasters and might not apply to you, don’t worry! We’ll also dig into the usual topics we address in the show, such as how Brett got started in the world of credit unions, how the industry has changed over the course of his career, and the advice that he keeps coming back to through his career.

Learn more about today’s guest in the show notes on CUInsight.com.

In This Episode:

[00:03] - Welcome to the show! Brett Martinez joins Randy for today’s episode.

[03:27] - What were Brett’s first thoughts in the emergency fire situation when he realized that it wasn’t going to be business as usual for a while?

[07:29] - We learn that Brett had a plan for a situation like this, but as he points out, you don’t have time to read the plan during an emergency.

[08:40] - Was there anything in Brett’s life that prepared him to react to the fires as well and quickly as he did?

[10:26] - Brett talks about whether his leadership style had to change when disaster struck.

[12:38] - We hear about the most important thing that Brett learned from the experience that he wants other people to know about.

[15:09] - What was it like to be in the position of dealing with people who had lost their homes in the fires?

[17:45] - Brett talks about what it was originally that drew him to credit unions and led to him having a career in this industry. He also digs into whether his inspiration has changed throughout his career.

[20:31] - How have credit unions changed over Brett’s career? And how has going left when everyone else goes right worked out for him and Redwood Credit Union?

[24:07] - We learn that Brett’s mom worked at a very small credit union when he was growing up, so he’s been familiar with them for a large part of his life.

[26:31] - Is there a significant belief that credit unions hold that Brett expects will change in the relatively near future?

[27:32] - Brett talks about how his team would describe

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"There’s nothing bad about cooperation” - Tracie Kenyon

Welcome to episode 12 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. I’m delighted this week to welcome Tracie Kenyon, the president and CEO of the Montana Credit Union Network, onto the show today! Tracie is also the board chair of Filene, and a board member of Western CUNA Management School. You can read more about Tracie here. Our paths have crossed many times over the years, but I’m excited to get to know her better and dig deeper in today’s conversation.

Tracie will start our conversation off by explaining what she means when she talks about embracing the simplicity of the credit union model (which, she points out, doesn’t mean that there isn’t complexity). She shares her excitement that real members sit at the table and make decisions based on what’s best for members rather than the bottom line. She’ll also dig deep into why credit unions aren’t like banks (and I wish you could see the look on her face in reaction to hearing the comment that credit unions and banks are the same!).

Tracie and I are both big fans of the DE Program because of its ability to help attendees open their eyes to new facets of credit unions. Tracie sends all her staff through the program, and I’m trying to get everyone at CUInsight to go through it as well. If you’re on the fence about going, tune into the episode to hear about what a powerful experience it can be, and I think you’ll be convinced!

Other topics we’ll cover are helping change-adverse people handle new things (and why mixing things up is so important, and how she was inspired to take her position and whether that inspiration has changed over the years. Speaking of change, Tracie will also dig into the changes she has seen in credit unions since she started working in them, as well as what changes she expects to see in the future. This was a fantastic conversation, and I look forward to sharing it with you today!

Full show notes on www.CUInsight.com.

In This Episode:

[00:03] - Randy welcomes listeners to this episode, and introduces today’s guest, Tracie Kenyon.

[02:39] - Tracie explains what she means about embracing the simplicity of the credit union model and its inherent goodness.

[04:39] - Is there something that Tracie has done in her career to educate people on the credit union difference?

[06:03] - We learn about why the DE Program is so important to Tracie, and something that she ensures that her staff experiences.

[08:30] - Randy shares a story of his own experience at the DE Program.

[09:36] - Tracie talks more about the unique connections that can form through the program.

[10:55] - Why is change and mixing things up so important to Tracie?

[12:52] - We hear Tracie’s advice for helping change-resistant people manage change and see it as a positive.

[15:05] - Tracie reacts to the phrase “that’s what we’ve always done here.”

[17:00] - What inspired Tracie to take the position as the president and CEO of the Montana Credit Union Network?

[18:42] - We hear about whether that inspiration has changed after her time on the job.

[21:31] - We take a step back, with Tracie talking about how she got the board to buy into her vision when she was fairly new in Montana.

[24:37] - For young leaders, does Tracie have any tips about walking away from a project that might not be in their wheelhouse?

[27:43] - Tracie talks about whether there

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"We’re all recruiters for the credit union movement" - Doug Leighton

Welcome to episode 11 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. Today's guest is Doug Leighton is the SVP of Community Accounts at Visa. You’ve probably seen him around the last few years, because he’s a big fan of the credit union community. And you’ll get to hear more from him today, because he’s the guest in this episode! Doug joined Visa after going to graduate school, and has now been with the company for 21 years.

We’ll start off with talking about tap-to-pay, specifically how it functions as a bridge to other technologies such as mobile. It’s not a short-term bridge, though, Doug explains; cards will continue to be around for a long time. As you may have noticed, the US has lagged behind other countries with EMV and tap-to-pay. This has been the case for several reasons, particularly fraud concerns, as you’ll learn from Doug today. Fortunately, tap-to-pay alleviates fraud issues, and reduces the use of cash.

One of Doug’s passion projects involves mentoring young professionals in the payment space. In fact, I think you’ll hear in his voice how enthusiastic he is about this topic! In terms of credit unions, Visa is sponsoring Filene’s Center for War for Talent, as well as supporting the Crashers. He’ll dig into this topic, talking about the broader initiative of building the next generation of credit union leaders.

We’ll chat about the challenges for credit unions in staying (or becoming) top of wallet, and how Visa is helping. Doug will dig into the significant changes that he expects to see in credit unions and other financial institutions in the foreseeable future. We’ll learn about the three traits that define his leadership style: empathy, mentoring and developing people, and saying “thank you.” Finally, and importantly, he’ll share his pro tips for a trip to Disney!

Full show notes on www.CUInsight.com.

Learn More About Today’s Guest:

Doug Leighton on LinkedIn

leighton@visa.com

In This Episode:

[00:03] - Welcome to episode 11 of the CUInsight Experience! Today’s guest is Doug Leighton.

[02:48] - Does Doug see tap-to-pay as the bridge between the traditional card and mobile or wearables?

[04:17] - Doug talks about why the US lags behind other countries in certain technologies.

[06:47] - Does tap-to-pay create new security challenges, or does it help alleviate fraud?

[07:50] - What does Doug see as the biggest current challenges for credit unions to stay (or become) top of wallet?

[10:36] - We learn about how Visa is helping credit unions with the challenge of staying top of wallet.

[11:56] - Randall shares an experience he had with one of his cards getting hacked.

[13:29] - Is mentoring young professionals something that Doug is working on personally, or is it a movement that Visa is involved in too?

[16:14] - Doug talks more about changing the guidelines of who Visa hires, and at what point in the process it starts. He also shares his enthusiasm for working with younger talent.

[19:32] - We learn about the findings of the survey that Visa commissioned involving women and money (read about it at this link).

[22:11] - Randall talks about his upcoming international credit union trip.

[23:06] - How&

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"If you can digitize a country, you can digitize a credit union." - Samantha Paxson

Welcome to episode 10 of The CUInsight Experience. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. Our guest this week is Samantha Paxson. Sam is the Chief Experience Officer for CO-OP Financial Services, architect of the company’s go-to-market brand and customer experience strategy. She is an accomplished speaker and thought leader, Sam founded CO-OP THINK, an innovation content platform empowering the evolution of mission-driven financial services. Read Sam’s full bio here and check out the show notes for a special offer for listeners of the podcast.

The goal of The CUInsight Experience is to dive deeper with the people of the credit union community and find gems from their experiences that add value to all of us. In each episode we have wide ranging conversations with thought leaders from around the credit union community. What issues are facing credit unions? What are they working on to help? What leadership lessons and life hacks have they learned along the way? What’s the greatest album of all time? These questions and more are asked and answered.

In this episode we talk about the origins of CO-OP Think. We went back 12 years ago, when Sam wasn’t in senior management, and what her pitch was to senior management at that time. How she got the buy in. We talked about how she measures success and failure. We talked about human integration in a digital world and how cool it was for Simon Sinek to share an article she wrote to his millions of followers.

As always, we dig into leadership and life hacks and wrap it up getting to know Sam better with the rapid-fire questions.

This was a fun conversation to have. Sam gave my favorite answer to date on who she thinks of when she hears the word success. I think you’re really going to like this episode. Listen to the full episode (and tell a friend about it) then check out the show notes. Sam and I had a blast recording this episode. I hope you have as much fun listening at we did having the conversation. Enjoy.

Full show notes on www.CUInsight.com.

Learn More About Today’s Guest:

Samantha Paxson’s bio

Samantha Paxson on LinkedIn

Samantha Paxson on Twitter

In This Episode:

[00:03] - Randy welcomes listeners to the episode and introduces today’s guest, Samantha Paxson.

[01:19] - We hear about some of the topics that Randy and Sam will chat about in today’s episode.

[03:05] - What motivated Sam to imagine and start a completely different, new conference?

[05:10] - Randy draws out and elaborates on a couple of the points that Sam has been talking about, specifically w

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“What do you want your life’s story to say?” - Maurice Smith

Welcome to episode nine of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. Our guest this week is Maurice Smith. Maurice is the president and CEO of Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) and the past chairman of CUNA. He is licensed to practice law in North Carolina, the District of Columbia and before the United States Supreme Court, and the author of Sowing Seeds: Life Lessons from My Father. Read Maurice’s full bio here.

The goal of The CUInsight Experience podcast is to dive deeper with the people of the credit union community and find gems from their experiences that add value to all of us. In each episode we have wide ranging conversations with thought leaders from around the credit union community. What issues are facing credit unions? What are they working on to help? What leadership lessons and life hacks have they learned along the way? What’s the greatest album of all time? These questions and more are asked and answered.

In this episode I had a wide ranging conversation with Maurice, a self-proclaimed cooperative nerd, about his idea that the time is right to add an eighth cooperative principle and the response he received from inside and outside the credit union movement. We discussed his path to where he is today and what his future holds as well as the life lessons he learned from his father and his inspiration to write the book. We wrap the conversation up with the rapid fire questions to get to know Maurice a little better.

Listen to the full episode (and tell a friend about it) then check out the show notes and full transcript here. I had a blast recording this episode. In it we get a double dose of leadership and life hacks from Maurice and his father. I haven’t stopped smiling and telling people about it since we recorded it a few weeks back. I hope it puts a smile on your face and you leave as happy and inspired after listening as I did after having the conversation. Enjoy.

www.CUInsight.com

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"You can’t buy time and tenure" - Steve Swanston

Welcome to episode eight of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. Our guest this week is Steve Swanston. Steve joined Velocity Solutions in 2015 as an Executive Vice President. He spent the previous 13 years at John M. Floyd & Associates (JMFA) and CU People. Steve has a BS in Journalism & Marketing from Texas A&M University. Read more about Steve here.

In this episode we discuss data, digitalization and deposits. Steve’s three D’s. As we always do, we wrap up this episode getting to learn more about Steve’s leadership style, life hacks and what life looks like outside Velocity Solutions.

Listen to the full episode or click here for the show notes and to read the full transcript. I’ve alway found Steve to be a straight shooter and enjoyed the conversation we had while at CUES Symposium in the Bahamas earlier this year. I hope you do too. Enjoy.

www.CUInsight.com

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"If you do good, good comes back to you" - Maria Martinez

Welcome to episode seven of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. Our guest this week is Maria Martinez. Maria is the president and CEO of Border Federal Credit Union, headquartered in Del Rio, TX, serving 13 Texas counties. Maria is currently on the CUNA Board of Directors and a proud Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE). She has been in the credit union industry for over 28 years, 20 of those years as BFCU's President/CEO. You really need to check out Maria’s bio to see the depth of her passion for credit unions. The best one I found is here (you’ll notice there’s not enough page for her accomplishments if you scroll to the bottom).

In this episode we discuss the path Maria took to get where she is today. How serving the underserved and hispanic community has been a lifelong passion. We also touched on the importance of Border FCU in the community. Our conversation about engaging and educating young people was the perfect lead in to the leadership and life hacks section of the show. And as always we wrapped it up with the rapid fire questions to get to know Maria a little more.

Listen to the full episode and click here for the show notes and to read the full transcript. This was a fun conversation. If you listen all the way through you’ll find out why Maria wishes she could clone herself and why her husband may be against it. I really enjoyed recording this episode. I hope you enjoy listening to it too.

www.CUInsight.com

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"You make a plan and then life happens. When life happens you have to adjust." - John Pembroke
Welcome to episode six of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. Our guest this week is John Pembroke. John is the president and CEO of the CUES. Since joining CUES in 2013, he has helped launch a new direction in CUES’ strategy, branding and culture. Pembroke has more than 20 years of experience in branding and financial services. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business.

In this episode we discuss the war on talent, the challenges that face credit union leaders, and the evolution of CUES. As we always do, we wrap up this episode getting to learn more about John’s leadership style, life hacks and what life looks like outside CUES.

Listen to the full episode or click here for the show notes and to read the full transcript. We all know John as a strong listener and observer, you’ll get to know him a lot better. I really enjoyed the conversation. I think you will too. Enjoy.

www.CUInsight.com

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"Promise what you can deliver and work hard to deliver more" - Chuck Fagan
Welcome to episode five of The CUInsight Experience. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. In each episode we have wide ranging conversations with thought leaders from around the credit union community. What issues are facing credit unions? What are they working on to help? What leadership lessons and life hacks have they learned along the way? What’s the greatest album of all time? These questions and more will be asked and answered.

The goal of The CUInsight Experience is to dive deeper with the people of the credit union community and find gems from their experiences that add value to all of us.

Our guest today is Chuck Fagan (@PSCUForward ). Chuck is the president and CEO of the PSCU. He leads PSCU driving digitization of the cooperative to enable credit union growth, and to provide an unparalleled member experience through service delivery, best-in-class payments solutions, and security of member data.

Chuck’s career in the credit union industry spans over three decades, beginning at Virginia Credit Union managing card services. In 1997, Fagan joined PSCU, and as EVP, Chief Sales Officer notably helped pioneer the company’s efforts in bringing emerging payments technologies to credit unions. From 2013 to 2015, Fagan was President & CEO of Credit Union Executive Society (CUES), a membership association dedicated to educating and developing credit union executives and emerging leaders. You can read more about Chuck here.

In this episode we discuss digital payments and disruption, the ongoing fight against fraud and protecting members and employee engagement. As we always do, we wrap up this episode getting to learn more about Chuck’s leadership style, life hacks and what life looks like outside PSCU.

Listen to the full episode or scroll down past the show notes to read the full transcript. You’ll even find out how Chuck’s blew up my inbox on one of his first days back at PSCU to the tune of 800 emails in one day. Enjoy.

www.CUInsight.com

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"Know what it is that lights you up as a human. The world needs that." - Jill Nowacki
Welcome to episode four of The CUInsight Experience. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. In each episode we have wide ranging conversations with thought leaders from around the credit union community. What issues are facing credit unions? What are they working on to help? What leadership lessons and life hacks have they learned along the way? What’s the greatest album of all time? These questions and more will be asked and answered.

The goal of The CUInsight Experience is to dive deeper with the people of the credit union community and find gems from their experiences that add value to all of us.

Our guest today is Jill Nowacki (@jillnow). Jill is the president and CEO of the Credit Union League of Connecticut (CULCT), a statewide non-profit trade association serving credit unions throughout Connecticut. In her current role, she champions an environment that helps credit unions succeed as the best financial partner for consumers.

Since joining the industry in 2001, Jill has also worked in communication and advocacy for Montana’s Credit Unions; for CUNA as Executive Director of Credit Union House; and as VP-Development at Maps Credit Union in Salem, Oregon, where she was also the founding Executive Director of the Maps Community Foundation.

In this episode we discuss whole human integration, balanced teams and how credit unions can impact members and their communities. And as always we wrap up this episode getting to learn more about Jill’s leadership style, life hacks and what life looks like outside of the office. Enjoy.

Click below for a short video, show notes and the full transcript.

www.CUInsight.com

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"It takes the same amount of energy to be nice as it does to be a jerk" - B. Dan Berger

Welcome to episode three of The CUInsight Experience. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. In each episode we have wide ranging conversations with thought leaders from around the credit union community. What issues are facing credit unions? What are they working on to help? What leadership lessons and life hacks have they learned along the way? What’s the greatest album of all time? These questions and more will be asked and answered.

The goal of The CUInsight Experience is to dive deeper with the people of the credit union community and find gems from their experiences that add value to all of us.

Our guest today is B. Dan Berger (@BDanBerger). Dan is the president and CEO of the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU), a direct membership association for federally-insured credit unions committed to representing, assisting, educating and informing their member credit unions to help them grow, and help grow the credit union industry.

Dan brings more than 25 years of government relations and political affairs experience to the credit union movement and has held key association and business management positions. In addition, he served as chief of staff in the U.S. House of Representatives.

For 15 consecutive years, Berger has been listed as one of the most influential lobbyists in Washington D.C. by The Hill. He has been a commentator on Fox News, CNBC and CNN, and is quoted regularly in the Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and numerous financial services publications. Read more about Dan here.

You’ll even find out what the B in B. Dan Berger stands for is you listen all the way through. Enjoy.

Click below for a short video, show notes and the full transcript.

www.CUInsight.com

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“There’s a lot of good that needs to be done in this world” – Gigi Hyland
Welcome to episode two of The CUInsight Experience. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. In each episode we have wide ranging conversations with thought leaders from around the credit union community. What issues are facing credit unions? What are they working on to help? What leadership lessons and life hacks have they learned along the way? What’s the greatest album of all time? These questions and more will be asked and answered.

The goal of The CUInsight Experience is to dive deeper with the people of the credit union community and find gems from their experiences that add value to all of us.

Our guest today is Gigi Hyland (@hylandhighway). Gigi is the executive director of the National Credit Union Foundation (The Foundation), recognized as the nationalal charitable arm of America’s credit union movement.

Gigi brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role as the Executive Director at the Foundation. Gigi's career in the credit union system spans 27 years - as an advocate, attorney, federal regulator and now, philanthropist. She inspires credit union professionals to collaborate and incorporate consumer financial health and cooperative principles into their business strategy. Read more about Gigi here.

Listen to the full episode and you’ll find out why Gigi thinks you should “give a damn.”

www.cuinsight.com

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“Hopefully Don Henley doesn’t listen to your podcast.” – Jim NussleWelcome to episode one of The CUInsight Experience. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. In each episode we’ll have wide ranging conversations with thought leaders from around the credit union community. What issues are facing credit unions? What are they working on to help? What leadership lessons and life hacks have they learned along the way? What’s the greatest album of all time? These questions and more will be asked and answered.

The goal of The CUInsight Experience is to dive deeper with the people of the credit union community and find the gems we can all learn from.

Our guest today is Jim Nussle (@Nussle). Jim is president and CEO of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), the largest national financial services trade association in the country advocating on behalf of over 6,000 credit unions and 110 million credit union members.

Prior to CUNA, Jim was the president and CEO of Growth Energy, a trade association of renewable energy companies. In 2007 he was appointed by President Bush as the 36th director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Jim is a native Iowan and served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1991-2007.

Read more about this episode and links from the podcast here: www.cuinsight.com

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