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.
Melissa Frey
Marketing Specialist
$103 million Central Missouri Community Credit Union
Warrensburg, Mo.
Follow Melissa on Twitter: @MelissaKFrey
Follow her on LinkedIn
Watch Melissa’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?):
My project is simple. It’s encouraging others through random acts of kindness. It’s knowing that anyone can make a difference, if given the opportunity (and opportunities are everywhere). It’s “People helping People.”
What is your long-term career goal?
To pursue happiness, professionally and personally. I know it sounds cliché, but life is too short to be unhappy.
Fill in the dots: The future of credit unions will be bright if ...
We work together. Credit unions must continue to collaborate, encourage and share. It’s one of my favorite principles, “Cooperation among Cooperatives.” It even sounds like “People helping People.”
What my generation brings to the credit union movement is ...
Enthusiasm and ambition.
People consider me a leader because ...
I try to be the person I would want to follow – someone who works hard, cares for others, embraces change, learns from their mistakes, and never stops learning.
Who is your hero and why?
My mom. She is the definition of selflessness, strength and encouragement. As a single mom raising four children (two with special needs), she faced incredible challenges daily. Through all her struggles, I never saw her feel sorry for herself. She pressed forward, always with a smile on her face. I try to be like her every single day.
Who is a must-follow on Twitter?
Matt Monge (@MattMonge). He is a leadership genius.
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?
I am most looking forward to accessing the online library and networking with other credit union professionals.
