5 minutes
Meet the 2017 CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec Top 15
Jessica Vartanian
VP/Project Implementation and Impact
$270 million Red Rocks Credit Union
Littleton, Colo.
Follow Jessica on Twitter: @jessivartanian
Connect with her on LinkedIn
Watch her 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?):
My project is about creating a methodology that enables credit unions to build a sustainable member-centric experience focusing on CRM and technological automation, while simultaneously focusing on team member empowerment and cultural transformation.
What is your long-term career goal?
Long term, I see myself continuing to work within the credit union movement. I am looking to obtain my JD in Corporate and Business Law while simultaneously continuing my work with the credit union movement. From there I see myself, hopefully, working into a C-Level position, and even longer term possibly working for credit unions in a consultant type capacity.
Fill in the dots: The future of credit unions will be bright if ...
We can keep the grass roots elements of what made this movement great, while also finding a way to better share our stories with the generations of the future. So many of today’s youth are compelled by a desire to create impact and contribute to making the world a brighter place. The very foundation of the credit union movement, people helping people, creates a call to action for these same inspired young individuals. It is up to us to tell them this story, and help them understand the alignment between their desires and ours.
What my generation brings to the credit union movement is …
There is a children’s book, The Phantom Tollbooth. In this book, a young boy Milo is sent on a somewhat dangerous and impossible mission by a king. When Milo returns from this mission successful the king explains, “It was impossible… But if we’d told you then, you might not have gone—and, as you’ve discovered, so many things are possible just as long as you don’t know they’re impossible.”
I think this is a powerful message to any organization when looking at the untapped potential of young leaders. While we may lack the wisdom and experience that can only be acquired with time and a few failures. What we do bring, is a refreshed view on what may be possible.
People consider me a leader because …
I try my best to lead with honesty and heart. I started my career originally as a second grade teacher, and I cannot help but think some of that mindset has bled into my career today. I feel a commitment to my teams and mentees, to give them the tools necessary to succeed in both our organization and in life. I like to measure my personal success in watching my people and my organization succeed.
Who is your hero and why?
As silly as it sounds, my kids are my heroes. Even though they are only grade school children, they have each taught me more about life than any adult I have met. I watch as they grow into beautiful young women, supporting each other, working through challenges, acting selfless towards others, and each making her own unique finger print on the world. Naturally, this may be a biased opinion, but I hope I am at least half the person I know they will each become.
Who is a must-follow on Twitter?
I have to admit I am probably not the most active Twitter user. It is probably my least used form of social media. That said, a must-follow I have across all social media platforms is Simon Sinek. Not only are his books famous readings across all industries, I find his daily quotes/videos/messages resonate with myself as a leader, and with the young leaders I work with throughout my organization.
Does your credit union have Twitter/Facebook/YouTube/Pinterest/LinkedIn/Instagram other social media accounts? Please provide links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/1359855/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redrockscreditunion/?hl=en
Twitter: @RedRocksCU
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 NextGen member I enjoy having access to the articles, research posts, and magazine. There is no such thing as having access to too much knowledge! Additionally, and more long term, both the schools and institutes look remarkable. I as I begin playing a more and more integral piece in my credit union’s strategic planning processes--these particular schools/institutes definitely stand out to me the most.
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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. |
