Profile: Dr. Archana Krishnan, Stride Credit Union

Dr. Archana Krishnan

Manager, Business Intelligence, Stride Credit Union

Career:

Start in the financial services industry: 2018
Start in the credit union system: 2019

In high school, Archana wanted to become a neurosurgeon.

Archana began her career in the financial services industry in 2018 as a part-time Customer Experience Associate at TD Canada Trust. In 2019, she discovered the credit union system via a mutual acquaintance and took a position as a full-time teller at Westoba Credit Union.

Archana held four other positions in her five years with Westoba Credit Union. These include Financial Consultant, Retail Credit Underwriter Administrator II, Business Analyst, Manager Business Process Support.

Earlier in 2024, Archana moved to Stride Credit Union as their Manager of Business Intelligence.

During this journey, Archana had the opportunity to learn from leaders within the system by participating in and Chairing Emerging Leaders of Westoba and Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba (CUYLM). She also found immense value in participating in the CUYLM Mentorship Program, CCUA National Mentorship Program, and the National Young Leaders Committee Horizon Program.

A typical day:

Archana loves how versatile her workdays can be and says that Business Intelligence thrives on ambiguity, as it provides the opportunity to discover new paths toward overcoming persistent challenges.

Archana’s day is predominantly focused on gathering data and analyzing it to provide insights and recommendations on strategy to the executives and board. It also involves collaboration with other departments to provide data-based recommendations on improving existing processes and recommendations to align departmental strategy with organizational vision.

Archana also conducts in-depth research to understand what is happening in the market and within the system. She also dedicates time to connect with her team for brainstorming sessions, provide coaching, and connect with her leaders for mentorship.

Continuous learning and improvement:

Archana learns new things regularly via the research she conducts as part of her role. She thrives on learning and is constantly looking for opportunities to challenge herself intellectually. Archana is an avid user of LinkedIn and has found connecting with peers within her field and LinkedIn learning to be a great source of knowledge.

Keys to success:

Archana’s three keys to success are:

  • Networking: mentors, coaches, colleagues and sponsors have greatly contributed to her success. Archana always has someone to connect with, be it talking through an issue or seeking guidance for her career. She says the credit unions she has worked for have shown tremendous faith in her and have been personally invested in her success, for which she is eternally grateful.

  • Family: Archana’s husband is her biggest supporter and cheerleader! She cannot imagine any success without him.

  • Last but not the least, solid hard work. There is no alternative to it.

Recommended reading (or other resources) for young leaders:

Books:

  • Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

  • The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma

  • Becoming by Michelle Obama

  • Atomic Habits by James Clear

  • Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy

Movies:

  • Hidden Figures

  • The Green Book

Podcast:

  • The Huberman Lab

Guiding principles:

  1. Be kind always, not just to others but to yourself

  2. Go where you are celebrated and not tolerated

  3. Live in the present

  4. For every act of kindness you receive, remember to pay it forward

  5. Smile! This too shall pass

CUYLMProfile