4 minutes
Meet the 2014 CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec Top 15
Aug. 11, 2014
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 will blog about their project on www.nexttopcreditunionexec.com. 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.
Kristy Miazga
Regional Manager
$1.2billion Synergy Credit Union
Lloydminster, Saskatchewan
Follow Kristy on Twitter @kristymiazga
Follower her on LinkedIn
Watch Kristy'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?):
Synergy Emerging Leaders is our credit union's internal employee program and committee that is made up of existing leaders and up-and-coming leaders who are striving to further develop and enhance their careers. We come together quarterly to create and participate in networking and leadership development activities, as well as have some fun! The committee consists of four regions, allowing all employees from any branch to participate. There is no age restriction or limitations to joining the committee; we are continually recruiting new and existing employees. We also concentrate a large focus on leading two financial literacy programs for the youth, one of which was fully created by some of our very own committee members last year.
What is your long-term career goal?
I am interested in all aspects of retail banking, and see myself, in the long term, spending some time working in a variety of roles, eventually earning an executive management position.
Fill in the dots: The future of credit unions will be bright if ...
We continue to collaborate amongst our neighboring and partnering credit unions, developing and gaining further efficiencies to create the competitive credit union edge.
What my generation brings to the credit union movement is ...
A group of highly ambitious employees, who put a large importance on pride and authenticity of their work, is looking for career progression opportunities, personal growth, and flexibility. The "Millennial generation" is willing to take risks, we are tech-savvy and we want to change the world! This will give the credit union movement a new outlook on the future that we have never seen before!
People consider me a leader because ...
I work hard for what is important, set a good example, and am not afraid to jump right in and be a part of the team. I am confident, considerate and caring, never afraid to make mistakes-always learning from them!
Who is your hero and why?
My Parents. They are the ones who have always believed in me and taught me to believe in myself. They taught me to work hard and go after what is important, never to give up! They are my biggest supporters.
Who is a must-follow on Twitter?
@wildwillsmith is inspirational, practical and motivating for your personal and/or professional life, and sometimes just downright funny.
Does your credit union have Twitter/Facebook/YouTube/Pinterest/LinkedIn/Instagram other social media accounts?
Twitter: @synergycu
LinkedIn
Facebook
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 am excited to have access to CUES Net and CUES Councils to be able to further network with other members in the industry.
