Featured CUYLM member: Randy Dagasdas

Meet, Randy Dagasdas – Interim CEO with Me-Dian Credit Union, CUYLM executive, and aspiring MD. Of course, if you ask him, he’ll be adamant that ship has sailed.

Randy has been in the credit union system for ten years, and in the financial industry for 17. He has occupied roles from Call Centre Representative and Financial Account Manager to Manager of Personal Lending and now, Interim CEO.

For Randy, his university degree took seven years to complete.

“I never took a full course load. I always worked. At one point, I had seven jobs. My first year of university, I would work from midnight to 8 a.m., go home, shower, and go straight to class.”

It is said that the rate of learning should always be greater than the rate of change – so how do I ensure I am continuously learning?

“It’s quite simple – it’s easier to believe that you are growing when you surround yourself with individuals who are not. So surround yourself with motivated individuals that want to make a difference.”

For Randy, this rings true as he has completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, his Executive MBA, and is currently focused on his Canadian Risk Management designation. Having immigrated to Canada from the Philippines when he was just 15, Randy attributes his work ethic to a grateful heart.

My standards are higher because my reasons are bigger – it is an opportunity to live in Canada.”

A big believer in having a personal strategic plan, Randy believes long term relationships have been and will continue to be his strategic plan.

“We always come up with business strategies for the credit union, why not for ourselves?”

Randy notes, people often go to events and try to network and connect with as many people as they can, while he applies himself to one or two networking relationships and makes the possible friendship his focus – connections he’s certain will last.

“I am a fairly private person, and so long term relationships are truly important to me. We have leaders in our system who are incredibly welcoming and it has been my mission to seek out those individuals – the genuine leaders that promote and nurture relationships. Those are the people you want to connect and grow with.”

Randy joined the Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba committee in January, 2018. In his words:

“CUYLM and the Credit Union system have both been very good to me.”

As Randy places a lot of emphasis on self-development (both as a person and educationally), he has found that making connections with other members of the committee has benefited him immensely.

“I can always pick up the phone and call around for help when I need it, and the reason I can do that is because once I make a connection with someone, I work to keep it.”

The CUYLM committee continues to stress the importance of friendships in networking, and making those connections count.