5 minutes
Meet the 2014 CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec Top 15
Online voters and a panel of past finalists narrowed the CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec field from 24 to the Top 15 applicants. The challenge, held in conjunction with DDJ Myers and administered by Currency, searches for emerging leaders age 35 and under from within the credit union industry.
The Top 15 are blogging about their project on www.nexttopcreditunionexec.com/blog. 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™, Nov. 2-5 in Amelia Island, Fla., where they will give their final presentations. The 2014 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.
For the next several weeks, we’ll be checking in with the Top 15 to see how their project is going and learn a bit more about these next generation leaders.
Jennifer Mravich
VP/Marketing
$84 million Power Credit Union
Pueblo, Colo.
Follow Jennifer on Twitter: @UpforJenn
Follow her on LinkedIn
Watch Jennifer’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?):
The point of a rebrand is simple, to keep things fresh and appeal to new audiences. In an industry where the competition is literally around every corner, it’s essential to maintain brand relevance. The benefits of sharing your credit union’s story in a consistent and captivating way extend beyond your bottom line and into the lives of people who need your services to reach their own personal goals. Credit unions have a unique advantage: They possess the ability to turn members’ dreams into reality while also looking out for their best interest. These are the very reasons Power Credit Union has decided to embark on a rebrand.
What is your long-term career goal?
I aspire to be a leader who is not only influential and trusted but maintains enthusiasm for the credit union industry while igniting the same passion in others. I plan to develop the talents and expertise required to ultimately lead a credit union as CEO through challenging myself, gaining knowledge and working at the executive level.
Fill in the dots: The future of credit unions will be bright if ...
We embrace change! Too often credit unions are the last to adopt innovation, frequently resulting in lost opportunities. A proactive approach to meeting members’ needs would not only be highly effective, it would subsequently lead to a shift in perceptions. We would be at the forefront of members’ minds with deeper relationships, rather than just savings and auto loans. Convenience and the use of technology are imperative in order to remain competitive.
What my generation brings to the credit union movement is …
My generation brings flexibility, creativity, energy and most importantly collaboration. Growing up with social media and the Internet has made us very comfortable with sharing ideas and connecting with people around the world. We thrive in a team environment. Reaching out for guidance from peers and mentors doesn’t have a negative connotation associated with it; instead it’s viewed as an eagerness to learn and develop as a professional. This was my initial impression when joining the credit union movement; instead of withholding ideas for personal gain, ideas are openly discussed and implemented to benefit the industry as a whole.
People consider me a leader because …
I strive to uphold a positive attitude and always work to maintain my integrity. I believe the true ingredients to success when leading a team are trust, passion and a shared vision. It takes an entire team to succeed. Accordingly, as a leader I make every effort to hold myself accountable, take calculated risks, and share success with my team.
Who is your hero and why?
A hero is best described as unselfish, courageous and noble. My parents are my heroes. My dad has taught me to be strong, focused and diligent in everything I do. My mom has encouraged me to challenge the status quo and to be positive. From both I’ve learned tenacity and if I work toward a goal anything is possible. At times, I’ve let fear take control, but they have given me the fortitude to carry on. They have believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. They are selfless, brave and a true inspiration. I’ve learned how to handle failure gracefully and that lessons will most certainly follow. Growing up, my parents always treated others with dignity and respect. All of these are key lessons I will take through life. I admire their character and am grateful for their support and the positive roles they’ve played in my life.
Who is a must-follow on Twitter?
A must-follow is @marcandangel. Their articles are a guiding inspiration in my daily life. To succeed professionally I undoubtedly believe you must also focus on personal growth and master introspection. They cover a diverse set of topics relating to: professional development, happiness, leadership, gratitude and overall mindset. There are key takeaways from everything I read.
Does your credit union have Twitter/Facebook/YouTube/Pinterest/LinkedIn/Instagram other social media accounts?
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 NextGen member I’m very excited to share ideas through CUES Net, connect with others, and gain insight from professionals in the industry.
