4 minutes
Meet the 2018 CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec Top 10
Brittany Martin
Business Development Specialist
$340 million Mill City Credit Union
Minnetonka, Minn.
Connect with her on LinkedIn
Watch Brittany’s NTCUE video
Give us the elevator speech about your project (as in how would you describe your project to someone you meet in an elevator?):
When I was young, one of my favorite things to do was go to the credit union with my dad, because I’d get prizes when I made a certain number of deposits. But these days, parents are relying more on technology to make deposits. If they’re not going to the branch, their children probably aren’t either. With my project, we’re changing the way we incentivize our youth members to save, so that in-person deposits aren’t the only transactions that get rewarded.
What is your long-term career goal?
Because I’ve just barely started my career (I graduated from college in May 2017), I’m still figuring this question out. However, I do see myself in a managerial role within the marketing/communications field for a company that stands for good. If that company happens to be a credit union, I’d be pretty darn happy.
Fill in the dots: The future of credit unions will be bright if …
… they can embrace technology without forgetting the “people helping people” philosophy. Technological improvements can and likely will help credit unions stand out in the industry, but human connection will always be king.
What my generation brings to the credit union movement is …
… a curious mind. We’re not afraid to ask “why?” and we won’t accept the classic answer of “because we’ve always done it that way.” The financial industry and the way people bank are changing. I’m confident that the millennial generation’s consistent curiosity will help credit unions to make the necessary changes and improvements.
People consider me a leader because …
I can communicate. As a teenager, public speaking was one of my greatest fears. Therefore, in college I decided to push myself outside of my comfort zone and received an Advanced Business Communication certificate. Now I’m not only confident in my ability to speak clearly and with intention, but I also understand that listening is the most important piece of strong communication.
Who is your hero and why?
I’m going to be a #RuleBreaker and pick two: my mom and dad. I can’t pick just one because they’ve both worked together to instill the qualities in me that I’m most proud of. My mom taught me that you can’t always choose the situation you’re put in, but you can always choose your reaction. I’ve learned from my dad that it matters more what you think of yourself than what others think of you. I’m grateful every day to have parents like them.
Who is a must-follow on Twitter?
I don’t have a Twitter account, but I am an avid Instagram user. An Instagram must-follow is Will Smith. He provides a balanced mix of thoughtful conversation starters, motivating messages and real-life humor. Plus, the occasional Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reference is a nice addition…
What is your favorite CUES member benefit? Or, if you are a new CUES member, what benefit are you most looking forward to using?
The CUES member benefit I’m most looking forward to is CUESNetTM. I’m all about asking questions of my peers in the industry and learning from them. Having a network through CUESNet could be extremely helpful during those times that creativity seems to be at a halt.
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Online voters and a panel of past finalists narrowed the CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec field from 23 to the Top 10 applicants. The challenge, held in conjunction with DDJ Myers and powered by Currency, searches for emerging leaders age 35 and under from within the credit union industry. The Top 10 will blog about their project. And to provide additional value to the competition experience, they’ll each receive an executive coaching session from DDJ Myers, a CUESolutions provider for succession planning, executive recruitment and leadership coaching services. A judging panel of two CUES members and Deedee Myers of DDJ Myers will then score the Top 10’s applications and blog posts, narrowing the competition to five finalists. The five finalists will receive additional coaching, airfare, accommodation and registration to CUES’ CEO/Executive Team Network™, November 5-7, in Nashville, Tenn., where they will give their final presentations. The 2018 CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec will receive further coaching, airfare, accommodation and registration for two CUES’ CEO Institutes, a total prize package valued at $20,000. |
