3 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 projects 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.
Alvaro Macias
Community Development Coordinator
$340 million Ascentra Credit Union
Bettendorf, Iowa
Follow Alvaro on Twitter @alvarocmacias
Follow him on LinkedIn
Watch Alvaro’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?):
Ascentra Credit Union formed a partnership with a local immigration services provider – The Diversity Service Center of Iowa – to offer low interest loans to immigrants and refugees who may be putting their dreams of ultimately becoming American citizens on hold due to lack of funds or access to mainstream financial services.
What is your long-term career goal?
To create solutions for the challenges our industry faces, as a top decision maker in a growing financial institution.
Fill in the dots: The future of credit unions will be bright if ...
We keep providing quality professional development of our future leaders.
What my generation brings to the credit union movement is …
Ambition, creativity; we bring a fresh perspective and willingness to take on challenges.
People consider me a leader because …
I’m always looking to open doors for others.
Who is your hero and why?
Nelson Mandela: He challenged the powers that oppressed his people. When he was successful in alleviating racial injustices, ending apartheid, and ultimately becoming president of South Africa, he was not vengeful toward those who oppressed him and his ideals. He is an example of how to make real and meaningful change.
Who is a must-follow on Twitter?
Does your credit union have Twitter/Facebook/YouTube/Pinterest/LinkedIn/Instagram other social media accounts?
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
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?
I’m really looking forward to the mentorship program. It is the perfect thing for me now that I’m starting my management position.
