In April, young leaders from across the Manitoba credit union system gathered for CUYLM’s 2024 conference—a transformative event designed to explore leadership concepts and provide valuable networking opportunities within the system.

As part of our commitment to continuous growth and learning, a survey was conducted among attendees to capture their experiences, challenges, and aspirations within the credit union system.

The results are both inspiring and insightful, shedding light on the unique journeys of our emerging leaders. We are excited to share some of the key findings from this survey below. These insights not only highlight the collective strengths and areas for improvement, but also pave the way for future initiatives aimed at empowering the next generation of credit union leaders.

Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn to learn about upcoming CUYLM initiatives and our Executive Committee recruitment this fall. If you have questions, feel free to reach out to us.

CUYLM's 2024 Conference Find Your Why: Contextualizing Leadership will take place on Thursday, April 25 (10:00 AM - 4:30 PM) and Friday, April 26 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM) at the Norwood Hotel in Winnipeg.

The conference is designed exclusively for young leaders (age 40 and under) in the Manitoba credit union system.

We’re very excited to welcome international public speaker Jennifer Barroll (a.k.a. Jenny B), local leadership consultants from Homefield People & Strategy, and CEO of Credit Union Central of Manitoba, Curtis Wennberg! In addition to our interactive program, an exclusive networking event will take place on Thursday evening at the Norwood Hotel beginning at 7:00 PM.

We’re also pleased to offer professional headshots on Thursday morning at no additional cost, which will be optional for conference attendees. 

Visit our conference page for more information. Deadline to register is Friday, April 5, 2024.

Hello Young/Emerging Leaders,

The Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba (CUYLM) Executive Team invites you to be part of our 2024 Mentorship Program which facilitates formal mentorship relationships between credit union employees across Manitoba. The program’s goal is to create opportunities for young/emerging leaders to connect with mentors to strengthen and build connections, deepen their networks, develop leadership skills, as well as share knowledge and experiences.

Are you a young/emerging leader in your credit union? Are you self-driven to engage in a mentoring relationship? Are you seeking mentorship as part of your development journey? Then you are encouraged to apply to become a mentee.

All mentors are leaders in the Manitoba credit union system, many of whom have previously served on the CUYLM Executive Team. Collectively, the mentors have experience in a wide range of areas.

Important Dates:

• Now until March 6: Application Period

• March 15 to November 30: Mentorship Period

Learn More & Apply

The application process is now open. Please visit the Mentorship Program page on our website to learn more or go directly to the Application Form. Deadline to apply is March 6, 2024.

Questions

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

CUYLM Executive Team

65 young leaders from credit unions across Manitoba gathered at Stride Place, Portage la Prairie on Thursday, September 21 for CUYLM’s 2023 think tank. This event concluded our four-part series on Exploring Generational Dynamics in the Credit Union System.

In three webinars leading up to this event, participants learned about generational dynamics and characteristics, including commonalities and differences within generational demographics, how different generations of co-workers approach work and career, the dynamics among our members and their life stage needs, and more.

The aim of the think tank was to discuss what we’ve learned through the webinar series and how we can apply these learnings to attraction and retention strategies for staff and members.

Participants split into groups that were each given a unique case study to consider, and the groups brainstormed actionable strategies and solutions we could implement today. The case studies sparked many thought-provoking discussions and questions and challenged young leaders to think about how we can drive change within our own credit unions. The groups then each presented their solutions and insights to the other participants.

Following the event, the CUYLM Executive Committee compiled key insights and takeaways into a summary document that we distributed to all participants. We encourage young leaders to share and discuss these takeaways within their credit unions. For more information about the summary document, please contact us.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this series. We hope you found it as informative as we did! 

In the pursuit of knowledge, understanding, and unity, Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba continued our profoundly meaningful journey this year dedicated to truth and reconciliation. We believe that true change begins with understanding and acknowledging the past, and this commitment led us to the doors of the National Indigenous Residential School Museum in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba.

The visit was nothing short of enlightening. We had the distinct honor of sitting down with an Elder who is a survivor of the Residential School system, and their wisdom and insights left an indelible mark on all of us. The Elder, with grace and resilience, shared their experiences, allowing us to delve into the history that still reverberates in the lives of Indigenous communities today.

The immersive experience that unfolded over two hours was incredibly eye-opening. As we listened to the Elder's stories, we were transported to a different era, where the echoes of the past were keenly felt. The vivid narratives provided a glimpse into the pain, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of those who had been through unimaginable hardships. 

This visit was not only a moment of learning but also a heartfelt pledge to continue our efforts toward truth and reconciliation. It serves as a reminder that the road to understanding and healing is ongoing. At CUYLM, we remain committed to fostering a more inclusive and empathetic society, one that acknowledges the past while building a brighter future.

We recognize that our role as young leaders is not only about seeking change but also about becoming catalysts for it. This visit has strengthened our resolve to work towards a more equitable and unified tomorrow.

We express our deepest gratitude to the National Indigenous Residential School Museum and the Elder who shared their story with us. We also thank our fellow members for their openness, curiosity, and commitment to this journey.

As we move forward, let this experience be a beacon of inspiration. Let us carry the lessons learned during our visit with us, as we strive for a more compassionate and harmonious society, embracing the path of truth and reconciliation.

Archana Krishnan,
Vice-Chair, Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba

To learn about the National Indigenous Residential Museum, please visit National Indigenous Residential School Museum of Canada Inc. (nirsmuseum.ca)

Pictured below: CUYLM Executive Committee 2023. To learn about the committee, please visit our Executive Committee page.

CUYLM Executive Committee 2023

Hello Young/Emerging Leaders,

Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba (CUYLM) Executive Team invites you to be part of the 2023 Mentorship Program.

The program is focused on facilitating formal mentorship relationships between credit union employees across Manitoba. The goal of the program is to create opportunities for young/emerging leaders to connect with mentors in order to strengthen and build connections, deepen their networks, develop leadership skills, as well as share knowledge and experiences.

Are you a young/emerging leader in your credit union? Are you self-driven to engage in a mentoring relationship? Are you seeking mentorship as part of your development journey? Can you commit to the mutually agreed time required to meet with a mentor and put in the effort? Can you obtain authorization from your direct manager to be part of the mentorship program? Then you are encouraged to apply to become a mentee.

All mentors are leaders in the Manitoba credit union system; many of whom have previously served on the CUYLM Executive Team. Collectively, the mentors have experience in the following areas: Project Management, Business Development, Commercial/Agricultural Lending, Human Resources, Marketing & Communications, Policies & Procedures, Operations, Sales & Relationship Management, Executive/Senior Management and Retail Branch Management among others.

The matching process will be facilitated by the CUYLM Executive Team. Through the application process, prospective mentees will provide an indication of their priority development areas. Matches will be based on aligning successful applicants with mentors whose expertise best aligns with their selections.

Important Dates:

• Now until March 3: Application Period

• March 3 to March 15: Applications Reviewed by CUYLM and Mentorship Connections Formed

• March 15 to November 30: Mentorship Period

Mentorship Objectives will be agreed to by the mentors and mentees as part of a Mentorship Agreement. These objectives will be tailored to the mentee’s leadership development aspirations.

The application process is now open and available on our website. Visit the Mentorship Program page to learn more or go directly to the Application Form.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the CUYLM Executive Team.

Regards,

CUYLM Executive Team

“Tolerance, inter-cultural dialogue and respect for diversity are more essential than ever in a world where people are becoming more and more closely connected.”

— Kofi Annan, Former Secretary-General of the United Nations

The world today is a global village. CUYLM is proud to foster a multicultural environment, evident by the diverse composition of our group. As young leaders, we hold the potential to change the way we see things, the way we respond, the way we innovate, and thus, change the world we live in. In a step toward harnessing this power of diversity, CUYLM organized its first Culture Café.

Culture defines who we are as individuals, be it history, geography, food, arts, family, customs, or traditions. One of the best ways of learning about an individual is by understanding their culture. Having a one-on-one interaction is a perfect opportunity to hear peoples' stories, share yours and ask questions! Through Culture Café, we aimed to promote sharing of cultural information in a safe space and respectful manner that encouraged curiosity and knowledge acquisition.

As part of this activity, three CUYLM Executive Committee members, Connor Gosen, Kawsar Jubair, and Yomi Oduwobi, shared their experiences and knowledge of their respective cultures from the United States of America, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. Archana Krishnan facilitated and provided insights into her culture from India.

Topics included common misconceptions, what is considered respectful and disrespectful, sports, arts, education and gender roles, as well as how we could use this knowledge to build trusting relationships with our team and community members. During this discussion, we discovered that despite the differences in cultural backgrounds, factors such as movies, food, and sports bind people together universally.

This activity helped our team bond with one another, understand our peers better, acknowledge the importance of diversity and inclusion, and the vast potential that cross-cultural awareness holds for creativity, collaboration and success.

If you are inspired by this activity and decide to incorporate it within your organization, please share your experiences with us at cuylm@cucm.org and tag us on your social media posts!

Don’t forget to check out our welcome kit for an overview of what CUYLM offers!

2022 CUYLM Executive Committee

To learn more about our Executive Committee, please visit this link.

If you couldn’t join us live on November 9 for our webinar ‘Leading by Example: Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba Alumni Share Their Leadership Journey’, the recording is now available to watch. Check it out and share with your credit union!

In the interactive component, we asked attendees to share the #1 leadership lesson they have learned in their career so far and one takeaway from the event. Here’s what attendees shared.

We hope you found the webinar valuable and would love to see you at future CUYLM events! Subscribe to our newsletter if you haven’t already to stay in touch!

Hello CUYLM Members,

On behalf of the Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba (CUYLM) Executive Team, we are thrilled to share some exciting news with you.

CUYLM is launching a new 2021 Manitoba Credit Union Young Leader Mentorship Program. The program is focused on facilitating formal mentorship relationships between credit union employees across Manitoba. The goal of the program is to create opportunities for young leaders to connect with mentors to strengthen and build connections, deepen their networks, with a focus on developing leadership skills and sharing knowledge and experiences.  

Objectives of the Program:

• Increase engagement and connection with CUYLM and others across the Manitoba credit union system; and

• Increase knowledge, develop skills, and retain young leaders within the Manitoba credit union system.

All mentors are leaders in the Manitoba credit union system, many that have previously served on the CUYLM Executive Team. Collectively, the mentors have experience in the following areas: Commercial/Agricultural Lending, Policy & Procedures, Sales & Relationship Management, Executive/Senior Management, Retail Branch Management, Financing Restructuring, among others.

The matching process will be facilitated by the CUYLM Executive Team. Through the application process, prospective mentees will provide an indication of their priority development areas. Matches will be based on aligning successful applicants with mentors whose expertise best aligns with their selections.

Young leaders seeking mentorship as part of their development journey are encouraged to apply to become a mentee. Please discuss with your manager.

The Mentee’s Role

• Establish objectives/structure of your mentorship (to be Mentee driven, but mutually agreed);

• Actively participate in sessions and commit to regular sessions, including preparing agendas to facilitate the topics/discussion. The expectations for meeting time is a minimum of 60 minutes per month, with meeting frequency and length to be mutually determined by each mentor/mentee.; and

• Provide feedback to the CUYLM team about the progress of the sessions/relationships.

Important Dates:

• Now until May 21: Application Period

• May 21 to May 31: Applications Reviewed by CUYLM and Mentorship Connections Formed

• June 1st to November 30th, Six-month Mentorship Period

Mentorship Objectives will be agreed to by the mentors and mentees as part of a Mentorship Agreement. These objectives will be tailored to the mentee’s leadership development aspirations. Examples of objectives could include:

• Gain understanding of the process of strategic decision making & project management plans;

• Create a goal setting plan and define steps toward fulfilling it;

• Learn about coaching and accountability methods and apply those methods in your role.

The application process is now open and available on our website. Visit the Mentorship Program page to learn more, or go directly to the application form.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to Hart Garfield at hgarfield@acu.ca

Thank you,

CUYLM Executive Team

Through this blog, we are excited to share more about Stacy Gill, CUYLM Executive Committee member, and Manager, Human Resources at Fusion Credit Union. Stacy is a member of our executive team on the Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba (CUYLM) committee, and the Manager, Human Resources at Fusion Credit Union.  Stacy has a passion for travel, adventure, and the outdoors, and she has an impressive bucket list already underway (ask her about it the next time you see each other!).  With the onset of Covid-19, Stacy has embraced a ‘socially distant’ version of the activities she loves, and she continues to seek out fun and adventure wherever possible!

Throughout her career in the credit union system, Stacy has capitalized on opportunities to learn more about the diverse operations of our credit unions.  Her credit union experience began as a summer student while attending the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. Since then, Stacy has gained skills and knowledge in consumer lending, marketing, human resources, leadership and coaching.  Stacy is known to have a goal and growth-oriented mindset, and has completed a double major in Human Resources and Marketing from the Asper School of Business, and she holds the FCUIC designation.  Stacy has also recently passed the National Knowledge Exam for her Chartered Professional in Human Resources designation, which is a significant milestone in the career of an HR professional.

As the HR lead for a credit union that employs nearly 200 people, Stacy is a key contributor to the people-oriented projects and initiatives at Fusion.  Throughout her leadership journey, Stacy is discovering more about her own personality and style to develop greater levels of emotional intelligence and resiliency to change – both of which are critical leadership skills for major events such as a merge and pandemic! With the knowledge that strategic human resource management plays a key role in creating culture and leading employees, Stacy’s goal has been to handle these opportunities and challenges head-on. Stacy is proud of Fusion’s recognition as one of Manitoba’s Top Employers, and she speaks of this in terms of successfully realizing on HR and organizational strategy.

Stacy is currently the chair of the newly formed Fusion Young Leaders Committee. Establishing a young leader committee within the organization has brought new opportunities for skill development of other young leaders in the organization. The ideas and passion this young group has with a common interest to support the strategic growth of our credit union is phenomenal.

Stacy is an excellent addition to the CUYLM executive committee – her passion for education and opportunity aligns with CUYLM’s, and we’re all working together to shape the future of the credit union system.  In addition to her knowledge and background, Stacy has experience leading and contributing to diverse and virtual teams, and she is inspiring the committee as much as she is being inspired.

Coming into 2020, I was excited for what the year would bring. There were countless changes coming into my life. My wife is pregnant, we had recently moved to a new community, and we were excited to meet and interact with our new neighbors. And the Jets were on the edge of the playoff picture! Then, the COVID-19 health crisis began to unfold around the world. By the middle of March, we were seeing and feeling the impacts of the global pandemic in some form.

As leaders, we found ourselves immersed in a new world of daily meetings focused on new scenarios. We made plans to ensure the health and well-being of our employees and members, and worked on new methods of delivering service and working together. As I reflect on my experience as a leader navigating these uncharted waters over the past few months, here are some personal takeaways I would like to share.

1. The pandemic has affected everyone in a different way

As the health, financial, and other impacts of the pandemic began to unfold, I realized the importance of prioritizing mental health and well-being. Faced with new situations and uncertainty, we were all experiencing stress in various ways. For example, we heeded public health advice and refrained from visiting loved ones to prioritize everyone’s safety.  As for many of you, this affected me personally, as I have people in my life who are on a timeline and I am not sure how long that timeline is.

Knowing that everyone was faced with new challenges, I wanted to ensure CUYLM committee members were putting their mental well-being above all else, and decided to cancel our regularly scheduled monthly call. We encouraged committee members to lean on one another for support and advice on how to manage new situations at work and at home. We prioritized supporting our families, loved ones, members and communities.

2. Our capacity to change and adapt is greater that we think.

From virtual meetings to e-signatures and having employees work from home, things changed very quickly in a matter of days. I am the type of person who always questions why things are done the way they are done. Earlier this winter my father and I went on an ice fishing trip. I stopped at four establishments in search of a fishing licence and asked myself, ‘why can’t I purchase a fishing licence online?’ Adapting to the pandemic meant embracing virtual technology across many industries, and guess what? You can now purchase a fishing licence online.

Our committee re-connected (virtually) after a brief pause, and we, too, needed to adapt. Our first virtual meeting was a great stress relief as we caught up, joked around, and heard perspectives on how credit unions were adapting to the new environment. It wasn’t long before we realized that we would need to find new ways of delivering experiences that were traditionally delivered as large, in-person events, which seem to be a distant memory. Our challenge: re-think the Think Tank that was planned for early June!

CUYLM hosts events like these to inspire, connect, and engage with young leaders in the credit union system. I am a credit union nerd through and through, and thoroughly enjoy meeting and getting to know young leaders at these events.

The committee started brainstorming, and it wasn’t long before we were on the path of something completely new. We are still working out the details, but Manitoba young leaders can expect to hear more about the chance to engage with us in a new way in the fall of 2020!

3. Cherish the connections in your life.

I used to come home after a long workweek, exhausted, and ready to relax. Then, my wife would say “we are meeting with so and so tonight”. After a long week, I would have much rather stayed in for the evening. Now, after being stuck at home, I crave that human interaction. I took those times for granted. Connecting with others is one of the great joys in life. Looking forward, I know I will cherish the times with friends, family, co-workers, and new acquaintances.

While working with CUYLM and in the credit union system I have had the opportunity to meet and connect with so many amazing people across Manitoba and Canada. This new website was designed as a place to encourage those important connections. It is a place where credit union employees can read, learn, and engage with other system leaders. We are stronger together.

As a committee, we are challenging ourselves to get creative, not be scared to fail, and to try new things, while delivering engaging and relevant content to our supporters. We have been able to deliver on important items as set out in our strategic plan (like our bursary program and this new website), despite working in uncharted territory.

I want to send a huge shout out to Credit Union Central of Manitoba and CUYLM Executive Committee member Carla Toews for being instrumental in the new website design. Thank you!

We have a number of exciting things planned for the year ahead, so please subscribe to our mailing list, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin, and Facebook accounts for updates!

Cheers,
Bradley McEachern

Avoiding Your Knee Jerk Reaction

Beginning at the Royal Bank of Canada in 2003, Kevin Baun has climbed through the ranks in a number of positions including Call Centre Representative, Member Service Representative, Financial Advisor, Manager, and last, but certainly not least – Chief Operating Officer with Belgian Alliance Credit Union.

In his current role, Kevin is responsible for the operations of the credit union; ensuring cohesiveness, consistency, and support. In his words, making sure everyone feels like a part of the team is his greatest responsibility, noting, CULTURE EATS STRATEGY FOR BREAKFAST.

In January, 2017, Kevin joined the Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba (CUYLM) committee for a three year term – occupying roles of both Vice-Chair and Chair. In his words, the experience with CUYLM starts and ends with ‘wow’.

Kevin attributes the experience to the shared fascination of the credit union system with his committee colleagues; “It’s a fantastic opportunity to be surrounded by like-minded people who dare to dream of a better system, and a better way to support everyone who’s in it.”

Kevin also listed the benefits of running for the Vice-Chair/Chair role in saying it opens your eyes to even more elements of the system, and an aspect of leadership that would otherwise be unavailable.

With nearly twenty years’ experience within the financial industry, Kevin notes the biggest lesson he has learned is to avoid his knee jerk reaction.

“If you can accept that you can learn how to modify the impression others have of you, and you do it, both parties will be better for it.”

This is where Kevin attributes his success – learning and accepting that the only person he has control over is himself. Going on to explain further, he says:

“When colleagues bring a certain situation (positive or negative) to my attention, I rarely say anything – rather, I ask a question. If I feel strongly for either side of the situation, my first instinct is to jump in, and solve the problem. However, I’ve recently learned the stronger you feel about something the less likely you are to change.”

Kevin calls these moments pulse checks, and says they occur daily.

When asked his number one piece of advice for young leaders emerging in the Credit Union System his answers were, be a life-long learner and discover your why.

“Never stop learning. Never. You’ll be better for it for yourself, family, friends, and co-workers. The more you learn, the more you understand, and the more you grow.”

He goes on to say, “Two people can often do the same thing, but not with the same level of authenticity and members/customers can tell – so identify your WHY. Why do you do what you do?”

Kevin notes that people prescribe to why you do what you do, and not what you do, mentioning, authenticity is key in putting your best foot forward.

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.

Investing in the development of young credit union leaders is not only beneficial to the employee, but to the system as a whole, because you are not just investing in a person; you are investing in the long-term security, stability, and growth of future credit unions. An initiative like CUYLM is important because it provides future leaders the opportunity to expand their networks and gain a deeper understanding of the system issues while working collaboratively to help find solutions.

If you know a way to make the world a better place and can help prepare people for what is ahead, we have a responsibility to share it with people, who will then pass it along to others. This knowledge sharing is why CUYLM was such an instrumental part of my career. I was fortunate to have a leader within my credit union invest in me and support my professional growth, which has given me the tools I needed to get to where I am today.

Being a part of the Executive Committee with CUYLM allowed me to be a part of something beyond my credit union, helped enlighten me to the challenges, and showed me the opportunities available. I had the opportunity to advocate on behalf of the system with Parliament in Ottawa, facilitate working groups with executives and board members of our credit union, and gain valuable leadership development training through the CUYLM-hosted Think Tanks and conferences. All of this continues to benefit me today.

I’m excited about the potential of the young leaders I know today. They are authentic, bright, and curious. If we do our part to help them get ready, the future will be in good hands.

Former CUYLM Executive Committee member
Dawn Borges, Director, Member and Employee Experience
Crosstown Civic Credit Union

Elaine Mann, CUYLM Executive Committee member:

I had the pleasure to take Ray Brasch, board member of Grandview Credit Union, out for breakfast on a beautiful spring morning. I was overwhelmed by his positive, enthusiastic and supportive attitude. We connected on so many levels, as I found out he was my Dad’s friend in school, and now Ray and I both share a passion for the Credit Union System. Crazy!

Our visit was a chance to talk about the many aspects of the Credit Union System. He talked about collaboration between Credit Unions and how it has become essential in rural areas. Small communities struggle to provide members with expertise, but together we can truly provide the Credit Union difference to our members. Ray has shown commitment to both the Credit Union and his community for the past sixteen years, as they have faced many changes and overcame challenges. He stressed that commitment is important even in tough times, especially for young leaders, as they are the future and far more important than we could ever imagine.

My take away on this visit was, as a seasoned leader, Ray confirmed that every single person should be respected for the ability to convert pressure into productivity and skills into strengths. This is something as young leaders we can all work toward.

By Neil Hamm, CUYLM Committee member:

I had the opportunity to sit down with Brent Budz CEO of Austin Credit Union to talk about leadership and his road to becoming a CEO of a Credit Union.

What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?

Be patient but have a plan. Effective communication and team building is essential to your success.

What are a few resources you would recommend to someone looking to gain insight into becoming a better leader?

Build a strong network of peers. This may push you out of your comfort zone however get to know leaders within your community/business associations. Join a service club/ Chamber of Commerce. Ask these people questions and listen. Good leaders have already made the mistakes that you undoubtedly will, so learn from them. Could you describe some of the most impressive traits of someone you identified early in your career as a mentor? The ability to listen and having confidence. Leadership is difficult, so being confident in whatever role you take on is important. My Mentors had these traits.

What was some of the best advice that a mentor provided to you and how have you implemented that on your path to leadership?

A mentor instilled the value of communication and team building. People will understand and embrace organizational change and direction if they can understand how it affects them. Be clear and provide as much information as you can on a regular basis – this has and continues to assist me in my current role.

What specific skill sets / leadership traits or training do you feel would be most important for today’s young leaders to develop into tomorrow’s executives?

There is a lot of info on Gen X, Y, Z, baby boomers etc. however a strong leader today needs to be able to communicate effectively with a broad cross section of employees and members. Each has a unique set of characteristics that make conversing, inspiring, and motivating them very interesting. Having the ability to resonate/speak to this diverse employee/customer base is essential.

As you were one of first committee members of CUYLM, how did this impact your leadership development?

Building a network of peers provides you with an ability to ask questions and learn from people and their individual experiences. There is no way one person can do that on their own.

What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader?

Community involvement – I have a different role as a Councilor – I am a part of a leadership group of a City. The experiences I encounter assist me in my current role as I am now a “Board Member” and our CAO of the City is effectively me at the CU (CEO). This allows me to completely reverse my view of leadership.

—

About Brent’s Path:

Brent attended Red River Community College and received a Business Administration (Honors) degree. His career in banking began in 1996 as a MSR with BMO. He held different positions while with BMO including Investments, Personal Lending and Wealth Management, Personal Account Manager and as a Commercial/Ag-Account Manager. Brent made the switch to the Credit Union system in 2004 as a Senior Account Manager at Austin CU. Fast-forward to 2007 when Brent was named Assistant GM/Chief Operations Officer of Austin CU. He worked closely with the CEO on strategic planning, business/ branch expansion, financial reporting, forecasting, regulation, etc. He was then named CEO in 2015 of Austin CU. With the recently announced amalgamation of Austin CU with Portage CU, Brent will remain CEO of the amalgamated CU.

Giving back to the community:

Brent gives a lot of his time and expertise to the community; here are but a few of his contributions: Deputy Mayor, Finance Chair - City of Portage La Prairie; He has been a Board Member of the Portage Regional Economic Development Corporation, the Portage Regional Recreation Authority and the Portage La Prairie Planning District. He was the Head Coach Portage Minor Hockey and Portage Minor Baseball. He has volunteered his time for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and the Salvation Army. He is the Past Executive/Founding Member of CUYLM, the Past President and Board Member Portage and District Chamber of Commerce, the Past Chair/Founding Member - Western Canadian Pond Hockey Championship, Past - Executive Member – Big Four Hockey League and Past Member – Special Projects Committee – Trinity United Church