Bill Dinsdale

Senior Commercial Account Manager – Not for Profit Specialist, Assiniboine Credit Union

Career:

Start in the credit union system: 2004

After eight years as a golf professional, Bill began his career in banking. He started as a member service representative for three months, then slowly worked his way up into other roles in the branch. An opportunity to move into a commercial trainee role opened up, which he jumped at. After four years of doing strictly commercial lending, he was able to join the Community Financial Centre at Assiniboine Credit Union, which was created to assist non-profits, start-ups, co-ops, and social enterprises. This is where he has spent the last 11 years of his career.

A typical day:

On a typical day, Bill may meet with a non-profit housing organization that is looking to build a new apartment block. A big part of his role is to provide advice to members. They will have a goal, but may not know how to best structure the lending to meet that goal, which is where Bill comes in. Bill says every day is different, and you may have a plan for your day, but a member issue may cause that to change. They may need troubleshooting or want a quick chat to update Bill on a key staffing change in their organization. Bill loves the variety and the ability to assist ACU’s members with finding solutions.

Continuous learning and improvement:

In Bill’s opinion, it starts with attitude. He says he will never be done learning in his role. Secondly, he looks for mentors within his company and soaks up as much information as possible from them. He says he has been lucky to have several great mentors over the years.

Keys to success:

Bill says his key to success is a willingness to stretch out of his comfort zone and learn new things.

Recommended reading for young leaders:

Bill recommends the book How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. While it was first published in 1936, he says the key takeaways are still as relevant as they were then. Three that stand out to him are:

• Listen

• Sincerely make the other person feel important

• Show genuine interest in others

Guiding principles:

Bill’s guiding principles are:

• Member focused: Members are the reason the credit union exists. Bill is always working towards win-win solutions for members.

• Accountability: Be accountable to your employer and your members as well.

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

Calling All Young Leaders!

Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba is recruiting for positions on the CUYLM Executive Committee to serve 3-year terms starting January 2024.  

Are you interested in being a part of a team that:

• Empowers other young leaders to grow and prosper in and for the credit union system?

• Provides a forum for young credit union leaders to share ideas and visions?

• Promotes and encourages opportunities for peer and senior leader networking?

• Increases the visibility of the credit union system to the community?

• Mentors young credit union leaders?

• Collaborates and shares activities with the National Young Leaders Committee?

Have we sparked your interest? Here's a little more info for you...

Your time on the committee will be as valuable and rewarding as you want to make it. The committee provides you with opportunities, and it's up to you to make the most of it!

Here's what to expect at the very least:

• Active participation on an assigned project team to accomplish tasks and goals for the year

• Monthly 1 hour committee video conference call and related prep work

• Approximately two in-person planning sessions with the full committee

• The opportunity to attend networking and development events that may include system conventions, golf tournaments, career fairs, speaking arrangements and more.

• Up to 3-4 committee members are selected to attend these events.

• The opportunity to represent CUYLM at the national conference and/or other system-related events (that may include system conventions and meetings) if you progress into the role of Vice Chair or Chair

• And most importantly, the chance to network and meet other young leaders within the credit union system who have the same passion you do for making positive changes in our system

Are you ready to take the next step? 

To be eligible to apply for a position on the CUYLM Executive Committee, applicants must be:

• Prepared to be fully engaged in committee meetings, in executing our action plans, and during social networking events.

• Age 37 years or less on January 1, 2023

• Have not previously served as a member of the committee

• Attain full support from your direct manager/supervisor

If this sounds like you, please apply on or before November 10, 2023. 

Visit our application page to apply. 

Application Review Process

Applications will be reviewed by the current CUYLM Executive Committee. The committee strives to establish an Executive Committee that is comprised of engaged and active young leaders while also balancing the need for proportionate representation across credit unions, including size and geographical location (rural vs. urban).  

In the instance where there are two candidates who are equally qualified for the position, preference may be given to the candidate whose credit union is not yet represented on the committee. CUYLM strives to be comprised of talented and dedicated members with a diverse mix of expertise, experience, skills, and backgrounds. The skills and backgrounds collectively represented on the committee reflect the diverse nature of our membership and the environment in which the committee operates. 

Questions:

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Julene Toews Dewis

VP People & Culture, Stride Credit Union

Career:

Start in the credit union system: 2005

Start in the financial services industry: 2004

In high school, Julene says she wanted to become a financial planner. She lost her dad suddenly when she was 16 and watched her mom navigate her family’s finances. She realized that having the right advisors in your life at the right time truly makes a world of difference.

After graduating from university, Julene started her career at Portage Credit Union as a lender/mutual fund representative. Shortly after, she moved to Edmonton where she worked in a similar role with Servus Credit Union. While at Servus Credit Union, Julene says they had a wonderful training centre with great facilitators and remembers sitting back, thinking “that’s a super cool job, I want that job”.

When she relocated back to Winnipeg, luck would have it for Julene that Steinbach Credit Union was looking for a trainer to help build their training programs, and she got the job. She spent eight years at Steinbach Credit Union building core training, sales and service and a leadership development programs, and experienced her first taste of leadership as the Employee Development Manager.

When Julene’s son was born, she moved back home to Portage la Prairie. She says the commute to Steinbach was too much, so she decided to stay in the training world but work for herself. She started a consulting company and offered her services to a variety of organizations (and many credit unions). For eight years, Julene designed training programs and workshops and also provided HR support to smaller organizations.

Julene says she loved consulting, but really missed having a team and building an organization from the inside. When Stride Credit Union was looking for a VP of People and Culture to continue building the People and Culture function, she says it felt like the best next step for her. Julene has been with Stride Credit Union for six months, and says it’s been a wonderful team to be a part of.

A typical day:

Julene starts her day prioritizing the items that need to get done. If possible, she likes to do creative work in the morning (designing, planning, strategizing, writing, etc.) and schedule meetings and task-based work for the afternoon. She uses that as a guide to frame her day, but other priorities tend to pop up and throw a wrench into the best laid plans. Julene says she loves variety, so she’s always okay with things popping up – plus, that’s just the life in HR.

Continuous learning and improvement:

Julene loves intentionally learning from others. She has a few mentors she meets with regularly, people who are further down the HR and leadership path who she goes to with questions, ideas, or advice. She also seeks out conferences and workshops that provide her with tools and inspiration and is grateful to work for an organization that supports her desire to learn. She says she loves the JFK quote “leadership and learning are indispensable of each other”. To be a good leader, we must keep learning, and Julene stands by that.

Keys to success:

Juelene says the key to success is great people – coaches who saw potential in her, mentors who pushed her, colleagues who built her up, her family who supported and encouraged her. Julene’s best advice to anyone is to surround yourself with people who make you a better version of yourself.

Recommended reading for young leaders:

Julene recommends The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson. She says it’s an oldie but a goodie, and a great, short overview of keys to helping employees succeed – strong expectations, clear feedback and accountability. She also loves The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni – we think good teams just happen; not true, they are made.

Guiding principles:

Julene’s guiding principles are:

• Pay it forward – give the good fortune you’ve received to others.

• Believe good intention in others until proven otherwise.

• The hardest conversations are often the ones we most need to have – have them and have them respectfully.

• Be open (to new ideas, to feedback, to seeing something a new way).

• Leave this world (your home, your work) better because you’ve been there.

Melissa Rushton

Director of Credit Risk, Fusion Credit Union

Career:

Start in the credit union system: 2005

In high school, Melissa says she was very undecided in her career aspirations. She says she enjoyed school but didn’t know what she wanted to be when she grew up – and still doesn’t!

Melissa has spent 18 years in the finance industry, 16 years working within the credit union system. Her career path began as a Member Service Representative (term position), and she focused on branch operations and the deposit side of the business.

Melissa then moved into the world of lending. She started as a Loans Clerk and then a Consumer Lender before advancing into commercial and agricultural lending. Next, she moved into management roles (both rural and urban). She began in branch management and then lead a team of agriculture and commercial lenders as the Manager of Business Solutions.

Melissa says progressing through various roles has supported constant growth, development and diversification. Today, she is the Director of Credit Risk, and her focus has shifted to managing the risk, profitability, and efficiency of the entire credit union loan portfolio.

A typical day:

Melissa says she is fortunate that every day looks a little bit different, and she is always experiencing new challenges. Some of the main components of her day may include:

• Adjudication of credit

• Discussions with team members, these may be operational or coaching sessions

• Manage and participate in internal projects

• Credit Recovery and management

• Policy & Procedure Development

Regardless of the day, there are a few constants, such as meetings and email correspondence.

Continuous learning & improvement:

Melissa says she is a big believer in lifelong learning and looks for ways to try new things and be open to what is presented to her. It may be to further her education, it may be leading a project at work or taking on a new task. Or it may be personal, like learning how to ride a motorcycle. She says opening yourself up to new possibilities will ensure you’re always growing.

Keys to success:

Melissa says the biggest contributing factors to her success are the desire to continuously learn, surrounding herself with people that motivate her to be her best, and not being afraid to get out of her comfort zone.

Recommended reading for young leaders:

Melissa recommends The 5AM Club by Robin Sharma. She believes a strong morning routine can really set the tone for your day.

Guiding principles:

Melissa says it's important to keep a positive attitude, engage in regular personal development, and find work life balance. Having time with her husband and their dog, going for a walk, or having a glass of wine is a perfect way to find that balance!

Michelle Hillyard

Manager, Business Sales & Service, Steinbach Credit Union

Career:

Start in the credit union system: 2007

In high school, Michelle’s career aspiration was to become a lawyer. After graduating, she worked as an Accountant and Office Manager with a pharmaceutical group in New Brunswick before entering the credit union system. She joined Steinbach Credit Union as a Credit Analyst in the (at that time) newly formed Credit Adjudication department.

Over the next 10 years, Michelle moved into the role of Credit Adjudicator and then to Senior Credit Adjudicator. She then served as the Manger of the Loss Prevention Department for several years before taking her current role as Manager of Business Sales and Service.

A typical day:

Part of Michelle’s day is spent in meetings with other department heads, reviewing policies and working on projects. She also meets with Account Managers daily to help review applications, helps to structure more complex deals and meets with members. Part of the day is also spent training and mentoring new and existing team members.

Continuous learning & improvement:

Michelle says each day provides an opportunity to learn something new. In recent years, she has been sitting on a variety of boards and steering committees. This has enabled her to learn new things about our community and region, and to consult with other leaders across the country. Michelle says it is always interesting to see how other credit unions tackle similar situations.

Keys to success:

Michelle says building trust in relationships is key to her success. This includes building trust within her team and other departments within the organization. She says it is important to really listen when people talk to you; people appreciate your attention, and you will usually end up learning something important. Michelle says as a leader, you do not always have to have all the answers, but it is important that people trust you to find answers and that you follow up with them.

Recommended reading for young leaders:

• Becoming - Michelle Obama

• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen R. Covey

Guiding principles:

Some of Michelle’s guiding principles are:

• Treating others the way you want to be treated – if more people lived this way, what a different world we would live in.

• Giving back to community.

• Putting family first.

Nicole Prokoppa

PMO Business Analyst, Cambrian Credit Union

Career:

Start in the credit union system: 2001

Nicole’s aspiration in high school was to start a business with her father. Instead, she started her career in the credit union system. She joined as a Member Services Representative, then became a Financial Services Assistant, before moving into the role of Member Services Supervisor which she held for 7 years.

Nicole transitioned from in-branch to head office to become an Admin Systems Support. She occupied this role for 6 years before graduating to Admin Systems Support Team Lead, and then Policy & Procedures Administrator.

Nicole is new to her current role at Cambrian as PMO Business Analyst but has prior experience performing business analysis and project management.

A typical day:

Nicole says no day is the same, and that’s exactly how she likes it. Her day could be filled with meetings for new and exciting projects or initiatives, planning and preparing documentation, researching new and innovative ways of getting work done, or analyzing and understanding business problems and documenting requirements.

Continuous learning & improvement:

Nicole ensures she is continuously learning and improving by always remaining curious and not being afraid to ask questions. She says she seizes every opportunity to discover whether there is a lesson to be learned, repeated or refined, and that she is a lifelong learner with a growth mindset.

Keys to success:

Nicole credits her growth mindset for her success, as well as the humility to know that she doesn’t have all the answers.

Recommended reading for young leaders:

Nicole says, hands down, she recommends Drew Dudley’s book ‘This is Day One: A Practical Guide to Leadership That Matters’. She says had the opportunity to see Drew at the National Young Leaders Conference when it was held in Winnipeg and he was an excellent speaker. Nicole says his book accurately describes that we can all be leaders, and that leadership is not defined by a title or whether you manage others; leadership is in all of us, and we have the power to be a positive influence in the lives of others.

Guiding principles:

Some of Nicole’s guiding principles are:

• Be positive, helpful and stay curious.

• Find a good work/life balance – the work will always be there, moments with your family and loved ones may not.

• Enjoy nature and find your happy place – Nicole’s happy place is out in the Grand Beach area where she has a travel trailer.

Join us for a four-part series where we explore generational differences in the credit union system and how they influence your success as a young leader.

In the first two parts of the series, you’ll learn, understand, and discuss:

• 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

• Building buy-in to the co-operative values and the overall value of credit union membership within these different demographics

In the third part of the series, four leaders from the Manitoban credit union system will discuss how they have navigated the various generations as they were building their careers, what has stayed the same (and what hasn’t), and what stereotypes they overcame early in their career.

We’re pleased to welcome the following credit union system leaders to our panel:

Leanna Beasant, Chief Financial & People Officer, Access Credit Union

Leanna has worked for a number of Manitoba credit unions since 2009 in different roles including Chief Financial Officer and subsequently Chief Executive Officer of Oakbank Credit Union. Prior to the merger with Access, Leanna was responsible for overseeing finance, HR, compliance, internal audit, and facilities at Sunova Credit Union.

Leanne DeVliegere, Chief Operations Officer, Fusion Credit Union

Leanne, Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Fusion Credit Union, has been in the credit union system for more than 20 years.  In her current role, she leads teams in HR, Lending Solutions, Marketing & Communications, and Member Service.  A strong advocate for lifelong learning, Leanne is a graduate of Assiniboine Community College’s Business Administration and Management program, and completed her MBA in 2019. Leanne was an early member of CUYLM alum, having served on the committee mid-way through her career.

Glenn Friesen, Chief Executive Officer, Steinbach Credit Union

Glenn Friesen has been with Steinbach Credit Union as Chief Executive Officer since January of 1997. Under his leadership, SCU has grown organically from $700 million to over $9 billion in assets. Glenn has served on LCUC since 1999 and holds the title of longest sitting member.

Brent Budz, Chief Executive Officer, Stride Credit Union

Brent has been a part of the credit union system since 2004, starting his career as a Senior Account Manager, then occupying a variety of positions like Assistant General Manager and Chief Operations Officer. Brent was named CEO of Austin Credit Union in 2015 and was named the CEO of Stride Credit Union in 2017 after successfully leading Austin Credit Union into a merger with Portage Credit Union.

We’ll wrap up with an in-person Think Tank where we’ll discuss in groups what we’ve learned through the webinar series and how we can apply these learnings to attraction and retention strategies for staff and members.

Schedule:

• May 17, 11AM - 12PM - Virtual Webinar - Team Member Demographics (Led by Homefield People & Strategy Consulting)

• June 21, 11AM - 12PM - Virtual Webinar - Member Demographics (Led by Homefield People & Strategy Consulting)

• August 16, 11AM - 12PM - Virtual Webinar - Facilitated Leadership Panel (Led by Homefield People & Strategy Consulting

• September 21, 10AM - 3PM - In-Person Event, Stride Place, Portage la Prairie - Think Tank & Networking Event, Lunch Included

Can't make it to one of the webinars? Not to worry; the sessions will be recorded and copies will be provided by request to confirmed registrants.

Registration:

Cost of registration for entire series: $75

Registration closes: May 10, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.

How to register: This series is for young leaders in the Manitoba credit union system. Login to CUCommunity to register (you will find this event featured on homepage). Or, contact us for information (see our contact info below).

Questions & Support:

Please contact us.

Jim Harris

Governance Specialist, Credit Union Central of Manitoba

Career:

Start in the credit union system: 2002

Jim began his career as a journalist before joining Credit Union Central of Manitoba in 2002 as a writer, working in what was then called the Research, Communications and Marketing Department. In those early days Jim wrote the Capsules weekly newsletter to credit unions, speeches for CUCM directors and executives, press releases, internal bulletins and memos and other communications as required.

Over the years Jim’s title and responsibilities evolved along with the changing needs of CUCM and its member credit unions. At various points he managed CUCM's various internal and external websites, was actively involved in the organization's knowledge management processes and led the preparation of CUCM's annual report.

Throughout his career at CUCM Jim was also actively involved in many of CUCM's governance processes such as peer segment meetings, the Democratic Control Review Committee and the annual general meeting. As such, it was a natural transition for Jim to move into his current role as Governance Specialist in 2019.

A typical day:

While Jim says most days are anything but typical, his primary role is to provide support to CUCM's board of directors, which includes attending board and committee meetings, assembling and distributing all of the materials for said meetings, taking minutes, communicating with the board on important issues and coordinating the board calendar.

Keys to success:

Jim says the biggest contributing factor to his success has been a willingness to always be learning, both in the formal and informal sense. He says he’s had the good fortune to work with a number of talented, principled and brilliant people over the course of his career, each of whom has helped shape his development in some way. More than anything else, he says he believes being open to learning from those around you can help grow your career in new and exciting ways.

Jim says he thinks it's important to always remain confident enough to own your accomplishments but honest and humble enough to own your failures as well.

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

Carissa Wall

VP, Administration, Access Credit Union

Career:

Start in the credit union system: 2004

Carissa has had the opportunity to work in several different roles at Access Credit Union. She started as a Commercial / Agricultural Loan Administrator, then moved into the Personal Account Manager role shortly thereafter, which was her goal when she joined the credit union. A couple years later, a position opened up in Human Resources and she worked in that department for several years before leading the newly created Loan Processing Centre in 2011. This role continued to evolve through growth and amalgamations, and currently she oversees five administrative departments including Business Loan Administration, Estate & Registered Products, Loan Administration, Operations Support & Clearing, and Retail Loan Processing.

A typical day:

Carissa works to create an environment where employees feel empowered, valued, and supported. Working through several mergers, it has been especially important to build trust and bring the teams and organization together. She spends a good portion of her day, coaching, collaborating, and planning for the future.

Keys to success:

Carissa says she’s had some amazing leaders and colleagues in her life that believed in her and gave her the confidence to believe in herself and her leadership abilities.

She says her key to success has been a willingness to learn and grow through every interaction. Learning to actively listen is especially important, as leadership has evolved from managing tasks to coaching employees to reach their full potential. She says leadership is hard, but it is also rewarding when you see your teams develop, grow, and succeed.

Elizabeth Modersohn

VP, IT & Operational Excellence, Westoba Credit Union

Career:

Start in the credit union system: 2017

After graduating from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science – Engineering degree, Elizabeth started in the Food Manufacturing Industry as an Industrial Engineering Analyst. Over the years, she moved into various positions including Senior Industrial Engineer, Six Sigma Black Belt, and Senior Six Sigma Black Belt. Her work experience primarily focused on work standards, process improvement (automation and robotics), and change management.
 
During Elizabeth’s time in the Food Manufacturing Industry, she attained her Professional Engineer designation (P.Eng.). The Engineer-in-Training program is a four-year program focused on applying theory to practice and culminates with a national exam. Elizabeth earned her P.Eng. designation in 2007 and maintains it today.
 
In 2017, Elizabeth transitioned to the Financial Services Industry, joining Westoba Credit Union as Project Management Office & Continuous Improvement (PMO & CI) Lead. The transition to the credit union system and completely new industry was a significant change for her. Westoba presented an exciting opportunity, pushed her out of her comfort zone, and challenged her to grow her skillset. Since then, she has held the following positions: Director, Operational Excellence and VP, IT & Operational Excellence.
 
In 2018, Elizabeth earned her Project Management Professional designation (PMP), and PROSCI Change Management Professional certificate. She expects to complete her Executive Master of Business Administration (eMBA) degree in the Innovation Leadership stream from the University of Fredericton in April 2023.
 
In her current role as VP, IT & Operational Excellence, Elizabeth’s umbrella of responsibility includes Information Technology, Business Process Support, Human Resources, Property Management, Project Management Office and Continuous Improvement. Her career path has taken her on many different adventures. Elizabeth says she is grateful for all the opportunities afforded to her and hopes to continue this amazing ride.

A typical day:

To kick-start the morning, Elizabeth begins the day with an exhilarating spin workout. No matter what the day holds, she knows she has already accomplished a hard workout on her stationary bike. Small wins are important!   
 
Elizabeth says her typical workday is never the same. However, her favourite days are spent collaborating with team members to improve the organization for their membership. She loves when passionate individuals get together to work towards common goals; you can feel the excitement in the air!

Keys to success:

Elizabeth says the biggest contributing factor to her success is continuously learning and being open to trying new challenges. She says she is privileged to have strong mentor relationships to help guide her in her career. Elizabeth’s mentors are her sounding boards, they share their life lessons and continually challenge her to strive for excellence.

We are excited to introduce our new CUYLM Executive Committee members for 2023, selected through our annual recruitment process. They will serve 3-year terms starting this January. Please join us in welcoming:

Paige Marchand

Manager, Product and Digital Marketing, Access Credit Union

Kelli Zeiler

Manager, Talent, Learning and Development, Fusion Credit Union

Michelle Watson

Financial Analyst, Stride Credit Union

Sara Rusak

Chief Digital & Operations Officer, Assiniboine Credit Union

Career:

Start in the credit union system: 2012

Start in the financial services industry: 2002

Sara began her career in the financial services industry working in a call center for one of the major banks. She took on additional responsibility as she moved through different roles including mutual fund sales, lending, and compliance. She gained experience working in a branch, as well as at an investment and life insurance advisory firm.

Eventually Sara moved into software product management as a business analyst for a company that designed financial planning software. She joined the credit union system in 2012 as a business analyst with Assiniboine Credit Union. Since then, she has progressed through roles in project management, IT, digital, and now her current position as Chief Digital & Operations Officer.

A typical day:

Sara says each day is different, keeping her engaged and on her toes! However, most of her time is spent in these key areas:

• With the leaders and teams in her division.

• With project teams, discussing the vision for projects on the go, how the work is progressing, and how she can help remove any roadblocks to achieve success.

• With her colleagues on the executive team, discussing ways to support goals across divisions.

• With her peers at other credit unions, sharing insights and collaborating on the big initiatives that require cooperation across the system to move forward.

• Continuously learning while reading articles, blogs, and listening to podcasts on her commute.

Keys to success:

Sara says the biggest contributing factor to her success has been her curiosity, focus on continuous learning, and resilience to keep moving forward. She has always been interested in learning about the roles of her peers and colleagues to better understand what's important to them, their constraints, and how she can deliver solutions to help them achieve their goals.

Sara completed her MBA while working full time, which prepared her for her role at the time, as well as her future career path. She took advantage of many opportunities that came her way, and actively sought out ways to grow, learn, and add value. She is passionate about creating ease, joy, and awe in the solutions and initiatives that she is a part of, and trusts that comes through in her work.

“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!

Diane Welby

Senior Lending Advisor, Me-Dian Credit Union

Career:

Start in credit union system: 1984

Diane started her financial services career at Me-Dian Credit Union in 1984. She climbed steadily in rank and influence, from humble beginnings as a part-time receptionist, to Loans Officer, to Manager of Lending, and was Retail Manager at First Nations Bank from 2015 to 2017. She then returned to Me-Dian Credit Union, as her passion is serving the Indigenous community in the North End of Winnipeg where she grew up.

A typical day:

Diane starts her day with quiet time to read and reflect, and says she wants each day to count and have purpose.

Something Diane says she loves about her current role is that each day is different, meeting different people and looking for solutions during her daily appointments with members. Credit requests, providing financial literacy, and helping people save money are things Diane says she loves.

Diane says she is usually the person troubleshooting difficult situations.

Diane loves training and mentoring lending staff and is a support person for other junior staff in the branch. She says she takes great pride in going the extra mile to help people find the right solutions every day.

Keys to success:

Diane says there are several contributing factors to her success over the years. Firstly, she says that lots of hard work, commitment and determination were needed.

She also loves learning new things and has always been curious. Diane says she is full of questions and considers herself a lifelong learner, which has opened many doors of opportunity throughout the years.

Diane has a passion for helping people and believes that building strong relationships and connections with people is a big contributing factor to her success, along with a love of bringing out the gold in people and making a difference in people's lives.

Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba is recruiting for positions on the CUYLM Executive Committee to serve 3-year terms starting January 2023.  

Are you interested in being a part of a team that:

• Empowers other young leaders to grow and prosper in and for the credit union system?

• Provides a forum for young credit union leaders to share ideas and visions?

• Promotes and encourages opportunities for peer and senior leader networking?

• Increases the visibility of the credit union system to the community?

• Mentors young credit union leaders?

• Collaborates and shares activities with the National Young Leaders Committee?

Have we sparked your interest? Here's a little more info for you...

Your time on the committee will be as valuable and rewarding as you want to make it. The committee provides you with opportunities, and it's up to you to make the most of it!

Here's what to expect at the very least:

• Active participation on an assigned project team to accomplish tasks and goals for the year

• Monthly 1 hour committee video conference call and related prep work

• Approximately two in-person planning sessions with the full committee

• ·The opportunity to attend networking and development events that may include system conventions, golf tournaments, career fairs, speaking arrangements and more.

  • Up to 3-4 committee members are selected to attend these events.

• The opportunity to represent CUYLM at the national conference and/or other system-related events (that may include system conventions and meetings) if you progress into the role of Vice Chair or Chair

• And most importantly, the chance to network and meet other young leaders within the credit union system who have the same passion you do for making positive changes in our system

Are you ready to take the next step? 

To be eligible to apply for a position on the CUYLM Executive Committee, applicants must be:

• Prepared to be fully engaged in committee meetings, in executing our action plans, and during social networking events.

• Age 37 years or less on January 1, 2022

• Have not previously served as a member of the committee

• Attain full support from your direct manager/supervisor

If this sounds like you, please apply on or before November 15, 2022. 

Visit our application page to apply. 

Application Review Process

Applications will be reviewed by the current CUYLM Executive Committee. The committee strives to establish an Executive Committee that is comprised of engaged and active young leaders while also balancing the need for proportionate representation across credit unions, including size and geographical location (rural vs. urban).  

In the instance where there are two candidates who are equally qualified for the position, preference may be given to the candidate whose credit union is not yet represented on the committee. CUYLM strives to be comprised of talented and dedicated members with a diverse mix of expertise, experience, skills, and backgrounds. The skills and backgrounds collectively represented on the committee reflect the diverse nature of our membership and the environment in which the committee operates. 

Questions:

Please direct any questions to: cuylm@cucm.org.

Rich Harries  MBA, ICD.D, FCUIC 

Chief Operating Officer, Access Credit Union 

Career: 

Start in credit union system:  2002 

Rich’s first exposure to the credit union system came from work experience in high school. In university, he formally joined a credit union as an MSR, and from there progressed through various branch roles, eventually becoming a Branch and Regional Manager.

Since then, Rich spent time in a corporate management role focused on governance, community relations and specialty lending, before becoming VP of Retail.

In September 2013, he joined Access Credit Union as VP of Branch Operations, and has been in the Chief Operating Officer role since January 2018. 

A typical day: 

Rich says some days it feels like he is only answering emails! He spends most of his day focused on strategic opportunities for the credit union in the next 3+ years. He also meets with direct reports and teams on strategy, personal development and coaching, as well as meeting regularly with various stakeholders from the community and credit union membership. 

Keys to success:

Rich says his keys to success are a willingness to take risks and trusting his instincts. He says he sets goals and makes plans to achieve them, and focuses on personal and professional development, taking ownership of his career. As well, Rich says he seizes opportunities provided to him, even if they don't appear logical in the short term.