6 minutes
Brittney Dessart
Social Media Coordinator
$190 million PCM Credit Union
Green Bay, Wis.
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Watch Brittney’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?):
I am creating a Dream Maker Award at my credit union to be an internal award opportunity for staff who go above and beyond their work duties to make a difference in both our credit union and the community. I feel this is important because peer camaraderie is the No. 1 reason people go the extra mile in their workplace … not money! So why not allow staff members, management, and our board of directors to have a say in recognizing those who have gone the extra mile that year? This will inspire people to become Dream Makers and will give them the extra push they may need to do something they are passionate about, but haven’t found the time to go for it.
I want this award to hold true to the “People Helping People” motto that credit unions live and breathe every day, and I believe that by recognizing those who devote extra time to the betterment of our industry, this award could inspire others to do so and we could then create an even greater impact in our movement.
What is your long-term career goal?
My long-term career goal is to become an executive at PCM Credit Union. PCMCU has really helped me realize my passion for credit unions and what we do for the people of our communities. I know I am in the right career path and have the talent and charisma to work my way to the top. I want to be at the top to set a good example for future staff someday whom I can share the credit union story with and share how we change people’s lives every day.
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Online voters and a panel of past finalists narrowed the CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec field from 20 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 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™, Nov. 8-11 in Scottsdale, Ariz., where they will give their final presentations. The 2015 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 |
Fill in the dots: The future of credit unions will be bright if...
... we continue to help one member at a time in the best way possible. It’s important to remember that our members are not customers and they are not just a number. We need to treat them each in their own unique way and cater to their individual needs. If we focus on each member one step at a time and help them to better their financial lives, credit unions will continue to prosper and thrive.
What my generation brings to the credit union movement is…
… a FRESH perspective! The people of my generation are a bunch of go-getters! We want to get out there to succeed and make a difference, not just sit on the side and wait for our paycheck each week. The future power of my generation is so great, that we will bring out new ideas and plans for our credit unions to make sure they succeed!
People consider me a leader because…
… I don’t sit back and watch … I act. In the four years I have been in the credit union movement, I have immediately become involved in attending monthly chapter meetings, then taking the position of the Wisconsin Credit Union League’s Young Professional Network liaison for the chapter, where I coordinated a networking event for the YP’s in my area, to now serving as the vice president of the chapter, and have recently applied for a position on the YP Advisory Board for the Wisconsin Credit Union League. I try my best to act and set a good example for other Millennials who share the same goals as I do, or who just need that extra push to try something new and not be afraid. I am here to support those individuals 100 percent of the way!
Who is your hero and why?
I don’t see it fit to name one person as my hero when I believe so many people play a key role in who I am today. Therefore, I would have to say my family is my hero. My family are the people who keep me going every day, the people I want to make proud, the people I base my decisions off of, and the people I want to take care of. They are my constant inspiration and motivation, and I value their advice more than any other. Without their constant encouragement, I would not be where I am today.
Who is a must-follow on Twitter?
Taylor Swift is a must follow on Twitter. She really has been known for sticking up for herself and defending what she believes in. I think that is a very strong point of someone’s character to be able to stand up for what you think is right and not let other people bring you down.
Does your credit union have Twitter/Facebook/YouTube/Pinterest/LinkedIn/Instagram other social media accounts? Please provide links:
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 still fairly new to CUES member benefits, but I would have to say my favorite part of this membership is the complimentary webinars. I can’t get enough of webinars! I think they are wonderful and you can pick up so many new ideas and spark new ways of doing things at your credit union. I am also fairly new to the marketing department at my credit union, so any extra webinars about marketing topics that I can get my hands on, I am greatly appreciative for.
