4 minutes
Meet the 2017 CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec Top 15
Taylor Yezek
Corporate Communications Coordinator
Collins Community Credit Union
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Follow Taylor on Twitter: @tayloryezek
Connect with her on LinkedIn
Watch Taylor’s CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec video
Give us the elevator speech about your project (as in how would you describe your project to someone you meet in an elevator?):
As Corporate Communications Coordinator, I work on internal communications and culture initiatives. At Collins, culture is a strategic priority because when employees are engaged, the credit union is more successful. To ensure we’re keeping culture top of mind, we created specific brand behaviors that tie directly to our cultural values, host a weekly check in call with all employees, launched a weekly internal newsletter, and do quarterly desk drops. One of our next big projects is developing a multi-year university style leadership development program based on experiential and servant learning. This project is a cooperative effort between the human resources, learning and development and marketing departments. Our goal with these initiatives is to build a strong culture-based brand. With a clear vision, values, behaviors and the right people, meaningful change happens.
What is your long-term career goal?
Long term, I would like a career that allows me to teach--not necessarily in the traditional classroom setting, but more in a talent development role, or further my career in internal communications.
Fill in the dots: The future of credit unions will be bright if ...
The future of credit unions will be bright if employees of all generations and skill levels feel empowered to collaborate and make change.
What my generation brings to the credit union movement is …
My generation brings passion and excitement to the credit union industry. Throughout my career, I've had the opportunity to network with other young credit union professionals from across the country and it is inspiring and energizing to engage in meaningful conversations with my peers. This generation is ready to revolutionize the industry.
People consider me a leader because …
I think people consider me a leader because I genuinely care about people. I’m honest and sincere and believe that everyone adds value. Additionally, I have a strong sense of purpose and my personal morals and values drive my actions and decision making.
Who is your hero and why?
Who is my hero? That's a tough question because I don't have one. I have three; my mom, my grandma, and my aunt. These women have helped shaped me into the person I am today, and for that, I'm forever grateful. My mom taught me to be fiercely independent, my grandma has always been there for me no matter what; and my aunt has inspired me to never stop learning.
Who is a must-follow on Twitter?
Does your credit union have Twitter/Facebook/YouTube/Pinterest/LinkedIn/Instagram other social media accounts?
Twitter: @collinsccu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collinscommunitycreditunion/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/2591033/
Instagram: @collinsccu
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsiRE8iOv1ORmExlii-r36A
What is your favorite CUES member benefit? Or, if you are a new CUES NextGen member, what benefit are you most looking forward to using?
As a new CUES NextGen member, I’m looking forward to learning more about the virtual learning opportunities and networking with other credit union professionals across the country.
|
Online voters and a panel of past finalists narrowed the CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec field from 19 to the Top 15 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 15 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 CUES Supplier member and strategic provider. A judging panel of two CUES members and Deedee Myers of DDJ Myers will then score the Top 15’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™, Oct. 10-12 in Las Vegas, where they will give their final presentations. The 2017 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. |
