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The CUInsight Experience

CUInsight | Credit Union

The CUInsight Experience podcast is hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, founder and president/CEO of Zealyst. In each episode, they explore leadership, life, and the credit union movement through candid conversations with industry leaders and changemakers. Together, they uncover lessons, insights, and experiences that help listeners become better leaders and strengthen the movement we all serve. The CUInsight Experience is produced by John Pettit, Managing Editor of CUInsight.com.

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  • 20 episodes
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  • Avg 38 min
  • English

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  • S8 · E242
    September 25 · 45 min

    Next with Sarah Wainscott (#242)

    “Sometimes, you just need someone to say, ‘You’ve got this.’” - Sarah Wainscott Welcome to episode 242 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jill Nowacki, co-founder, president and CEO of Zealyst. This episode is sponsored by Trellance. Trellance is a leading technology partner for credit unions, delivering innovative technology solutions to help credit unions achieve more. With a comprehensive suite of analytics, cloud and talent solutions, the Trellance team ensures credit unions increase efficiency, manage risk, and improve member experience. Learn more here! In this 2026 season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. For this episode, we are joined by Sarah Wainscott, President and CEO at The Wisconsin Credit Union League. Join us as we discuss what it really means to lead for what comes next, with Sarah talking about one of the responsibilities of leadership that doesn’t always get enough attention: creating the conditions for other people to lead. She shares the experiences which helped shape her own leadership journey, including mentors who invited her into rooms before she even saw herself as someone who belonged there. We discuss the value of saying yes to unfamiliar opportunities, learning by watching other leaders, and recognizing that you don’t have to know everything before stepping forward. Sarah also reflects on the moments when she had to acknowledge her own limitations, build expertise where she needed it, and trust other people to bring strengths that she didn’t have. From there, we turn the conversation toward developing the next generation of leaders, not simply people who are younger but anyone who is stepping into something new. Sarah explains what she looks for in people with leadership potential, why curiosity and a willingness to ask for feedback are so important, and how leaders can avoid making decisions about someone else’s capabilities or ambitions for them. We also explore what it looks like to hand over responsibility, establish clear expectations, and give people enough room to discover what they can do. We also talk about the importance of creating a workplace where people can try new things, honestly debrief what happened, and learn from both successes and mistakes. Sarah then shares her perspective on communication, managing expectations, collaboration, and understanding the unique value each person brings to a larger mission! Finally, we look at leadership as something that extends beyond any individual tenure. Via Sarah’s experience with the Tri-State Collaborative and her own vision for the Wisconsin Credit Union League, we consider what it means to inherit someone else’s vision while still giving it room to evolve, and Sarah leaves us with a simple challenge for every leader: don’t say no for someone else. Sometimes, all someone needs is an opportunity and someone willing to say, “I have confidence in you. You’ve got this.” Enjoy our conversation with Sarah Wainscott! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Connect with Sarah: Sarah Wainscott, President and C.E.O. at the Wisconsin Credit Union League theleague.coop Sarah: LinkedIn The Wisconsin Credit Union League: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | X Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List Book mentioned: Yes Please by Amy Poehler Previous guests mentioned in this episode: George Hofheimer (#33); Tracie Kenyon (#12, CUInsight Network episode #64, & #209); Gerry Singleton (#164); Mara Humphrey (#166) In This Episode: [2:34] - Sarah credits mentors and professional committees with building her confidence to step into leadership roles! [5:22] - Hear how experience observing others has helped Sarah develop adaptable skills for handling unpredictable professional interactions. [6:29] - Sarah's advocacy experience strengthened her leadership instincts while teaching her to recognize and address her own limitations. [8:46] - What advice would Sarah offer her younger self? [10:24] - Hear how mentors created opportunities for Sarah, inspiring her to encourage curiosity, initiative, and meaningful contributions among her team. [13:52] - Sarah hopes to create opportunities for others by encouraging them to pursue possibilities without preemptively saying no. [16:04] - Jill reveals how she realized that leaders should let employees make their own choices rather than assuming what they want. [17:16] - We discuss how unexpected career opportunities open doors for leaders, who must empower others to walk through them independently. [18:57] - Sarah trusts her team to lead independently as she offers perspective, guidance, and occasional reminders about important things. [21:20] - Sarah highlights the importance of honest debriefing as a way to learn from experiences and improve work in the future. [23:53] - Rapidly changing circumstances require leaders to continually rethink how they prepare for the next generation. [26:13] - Managing expectations and recognizing one’s unique value are essential skills for effective leadership and collaboration. [30:09] - Hear how effective collaboration brings diverse skills and experiences together to better reach shared goals. [33:14] - Trust, transparency, and shared commitment have strengthened the collaborative relationship among the three leagues. [36:32] - Sarah argues that meaningful partnerships ultimately depend on serving members and pursuing a greater purpose. [38:13] - Sarah expresses hope that her team embraces meaningful work, personal balance, confidence, and long-term growth. [41:55] - Sarah uses a baseball example to illustrate the fact that sometimes, someone just needs to be reassured that “you’ve got this.” Send us Fan Mail

  • S8 · E241
    September 11 · 47 min

    Signals with Michael Wilson (#241)

    “Be willing to fail, own it, pivot, and try the next thing. Because you’re going to win more than you fail.” – Michael Wilson Welcome to episode 241 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jill Nowacki, co-founder, president and CEO of Zealyst. This episode is sponsored by Trellance. Trellance is a leading technology partner for credit unions, delivering innovative technology solutions to help credit unions achieve more. With a comprehensive suite of analytics, cloud and talent solutions, the Trellance team ensures credit unions increase efficiency, manage risk, and improve member experience. Learn more at Trellence.com! In this 2026 season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. For this episode, we are happy to be joined by Michael Wilson, President & CEO of Members 1st Federal Credit Union in Pennsylvania. He joins us for this episode to help us take on what it means to “see around corners” as a leader. After all, none of us can predict the future, but some leaders really seem to have a knack for recognizing when something is changing, separating meaningful signals from noise, and getting their organizations ready before everyone else catches up, and Michael brings a truly fascinating perspective to the conversation. Coming from a marketing background and now leading a large credit union, Mike has embraced technology, AI, and new approaches to growth while remaining focused on something that he personally considers non-negotiable: bringing people along for the ride. We talk about how he filters through all those “squirrels” running around in the industry, determines which emerging trends deserve attention, and creates a safe environment for experimentation. The three of us also get into the very real friction that can build up inside an organization. Mike shares how Members 1st went from having 479 systems to identifying and automating more than 500 processes that associates themselves said were slowing them down. For Michael, making work easier isn't simply an exercise of efficiency; it gives people more time to do the work that matters. Then, we get into why Mike believes that AI governance needs to be an enterprise responsibility rather than something handed off to the CIO. He discusses how his credit union built an AI sandbox and even how AI avatars became part of a board strategic planning retreat. More importantly, we explore why “just because you can doesn't mean you should” is such an important principle when experimenting with new technology. Finally, we discuss curiosity, the importance of being willing to say, “I was wrong,” and what leaders can do to leave their credit unions stronger than they found them. This is truly a conversation about looking forward without losing sight of the people and purpose that make the journey worthwhile, so we hope that you enjoy our conversation with Michael Wilson! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Connect with Michael: Michael Wilson, President & CEO of Members 1st Federal Credit Union members1st.org Michael: Central Penn Business Journal Members 1st Federal Credit Union: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List Show notes from this episode: Sponsor: Trellance Place mentioned: Philadelphia, PA Shout-out: Federal Reserve Banks Shout-out: Salesforce Shout-out: Jack Henry Place mentioned: Africa Shout-out: Becky Smith Shout-out: APG Federal Credit Union Shout-out: NCUA Shout-out: Eric Bush Shout-out: Facebook Shout-out: LinkedIn Song mentioned: “No Diggity” by Blackstreet Previous guests mentioned in this episode: Kelly Botti (#238) & John Bratsakis (#214) In This Episode: [2:50] - Mike believes that disciplined leaders need to separate meaningful innovation from hype while bringing their workforce along safely. [5:08] - Hear how Mike balances outside perspectives with industry experience, using governance and security to encourage experimentation. [7:17] - Members 1st builds culture collaboratively, using input from employees to automate more than 500 tedious processes. [9:50] - Reducing workplace friction is important because, like consumers, employees have little tolerance for unnecessarily difficult systems. [11:13] - Mike reflects on Members 1st having replaced fragmented systems and poor governance to create greater efficiency and better data. [14:55] - Mike reveals how shared goals have changed leadership incentives, fostering collaboration and helping the credit union accomplish more quickly. [18:30] - Mike encourages disciplined AI adoption that prioritizes governance, ROI, and regulatory considerations over hype. [20:02] - Hear about how a governance framework and AI officer enable Members 1st to experiment safely prior to deployment. [22:08] - AI avatars have enhanced strategic planning, but Mike highlights disciplined use cases over technology for technology’s sake. [24:32] - Beginning with governance enabled Members 1st to quantify AI’s benefits while freeing underwriters for deeper analysis. [26:15] - Associate-driven ideas guide technology decisions, whereas critical thinking remains essential with AI’s growing influence. [29:27] - Mike demonstrates AI’s inability to replace critical thinking, accurate analysis, and responsible governance. [32:24] - Transparency about goals, results, and setbacks builds trust and makes organizational change easier! [34:10] - Mike advocates for restoring industry-wide collaboration while urging CEOs to understand AI, regulation, and vendor risks. [34:10] - Mike believes that vendor transparency should be mandatory, with shared frameworks helping credit unions adopt AI responsibly and efficiently. [37:49] - Hear how a strong leadership team balances calculated risk with entrepreneurship while staying curious and challenging complacency. [40:02] - Mike believes that stablecoins are underestimated, prompting his credit union to develop a responsible strategy. [43:45] - New leaders need to embrace transparency and calculated risks, while experienced leaders must invest in developing successors. Send us Fan Mail

  • S8 · E240
    August 28 · 46 min

    Opportunity with Danielle Milner (#240)

    “Constantly proving yourself is a privilege.” – Danielle Milner Welcome to episode 240 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, co-founder, president and CEO of Zealyst. This episode is sponsored by Trellance. Trellance is a leading technology partner for credit unions, delivering innovative technology solutions to help credit unions achieve more. With a comprehensive suite of analytics, cloud and talent solutions, the Trellance team ensures credit unions increase efficiency, manage risk, and improve member experience. Learn more here! In this 2026 season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. For this episode, we are thrilled to bring on Danielle Milner, CEO of First Responders Credit Union in Boston, to help us discuss the concept of opportunity. Listen in as Danielle reflects on her first year as CEO, including the unexpected lessons that came from moving across the country and stepping into a leadership role at an organization with such a strong history and identity. She shares how her team and board welcomed her almost immediately and how a family emergency shortly after her arrival showed her just how much care and connection existed within the organization even after just a small amount of time. From there, we talk about the importance of authenticity when deciding who we want to work with and how experience can make it easier to recognize when a relationship simply isn’t the right fit. We also explore the expectations leaders carry into new roles and the surprising ways that those expectations can change once we’re in the seat. A big part of our conversation is centered on Danielle’s “notebook” of ideas and the discipline required to decide which ones deserve action. We discuss why saying no can create opportunity, how leaders can communicate priorities more clearly, and why inviting people to challenge our ideas can create authentic ownership rather than just compliance. Danielle enthusiastically explains why growing other leaders is her favorite part of leadership, while we talk about how curiosity, trust, and even a willingness to “poke holes” can help teams make better decisions. We also take a close look at developing talent via stretch assignments, recognizing strengths we may not initially see in people, and building leadership teams that complement our own weaknesses. Finally, as we get close to the end of our conversation, we look ahead at the credit union movement and the need to focus less on tools like AI and more on the outcomes that such tools are supposed to create. For Danielle, relevance starts with understanding who we serve and why it matters, and we finally do wrap up with a thought for anyone pursuing a leadership role: sometimes, the right opportunity isn’t just about finding the right seat but is rather about finding the right home for that seat! Enjoy our conversation with Danielle Milner! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Connect with Danielle: Danielle Milner, CEO of First Responders Credit Union firstresponderscu.org Danielle: Muck Rack First Responders Credit Union: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List Show notes from this episode: Sponsor: Trellance Shout-out: Danielle’s mom Shout-out: Danielle’s board Shout-out: Humanidei Shout-out: NACUSO Shout-out: Greg Michlig Shout-out: Navy Federal Credit Union Story mentioned: “The Emperor’s New Clothes” by Hans Christian Andersen Shout-out: Jill’s colleague Sierra Shout-out: Microsoft Excel Shout-out: Mike Wilson Shout-out: Members 1st Federal Credit Union Shout-out: Becky Smith Shout-out: APG Federal Credit Union Shout-out: MD/DC Credit Union Association Previous guests mentioned in this episode: Mark Zook (#230); Tracie Kenyon (#12, CUInsight Network episode #64, & #209); Lauren Culp (#39, #115, & #211) In This Episode: [2:05] - Hear how Danielle discovered that supportive relationships helped her overcome doubts about becoming a C.E.O. [5:37] - It's important for leaders to recognize when saying no creates better opportunities than automatically accepting them. [6:21] - Authenticity helps leaders determine which professional relationships are truly compatible and trustworthy. [9:45] - Stepping into a new leadership role requires authenticity while recognizing the need to also constantly prove yourself. [12:50] - Hear how ownership taught Jill to trust herself while embracing the responsibility of setting her own expectations. [15:55] - Danielle sees opportunity in prioritizing people over an endless workload. [18:46] - Effective leaders need to carefully prioritize ideas according to their available resources and timing. [19:33] - Danielle reflects on having learned that clearly communicating priorities helps her team distinguish future possibilities from immediate action. [22:04] - Danielle touches upon how she uses constructive feedback to make individual ideas stronger. [24:15] - We talk about how leaders can turn constructive criticism into stronger ideas by encouraging people to identify solutions rather than just problems. [26:11] - Great leaders create curiosity, develop others, and use honest conversations to help people grow. [28:51] - It's important for credit unions to embrace imagination to create change. [30:55] - Effective leaders recognize their weaknesses, build trust, and surround themselves with complementary strengths. [33:42] - Learn how giving people new opportunities can reveal untapped strengths and expand their potential. [36:20] - Hear how stretch assignments provide valuable development opportunities, especially within smaller credit unions. [37:28] - Credit unions need to prioritize member relevance over technology when shaping their strategies. [40:27] - AI should support member-focused strategies rather than becoming the strategy itself. [43:57] - Danielle offers invaluable advice: trust that the right professional “home” will find you rather than obsessing over a specific position. Send us Fan Mail

  • S8 · E239
    August 14 · 43 min

    Energized with Deonne Christensen (#239)

    “The culture isn’t just a sidecar to the credit union motorcycle. It has to be the fuel that runs what we do.” — Deonne Christensen Welcome to episode 239 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jill Nowacki, co-founder, president and CEO of Zealyst. This episode is sponsored by Trellance. Trellance is a leading technology partner for credit unions, delivering innovative technology solutions to help credit unions achieve more. With a comprehensive suite of analytics, cloud and talent solutions, the Trellance team ensures credit unions increase efficiency, manage risk, and improve member experience. Learn more here! In this 2026 season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. For this episode, we are so excited to bring Deonne Christensen to the show! Deonne is the President and CEO of Mazuma Credit Union, and she joins us to discuss what it means to be energized and why it matters. We explore what it really takes to create a workplace where people feel connected, supported, challenged, and excited to contribute, and Deonne shares how Mazuma’s culture evolved from a well-intentioned but sometimes awkward collection of ideas into something much more sincere and woven into the way the organization operates. We talk about why culture requires more than pizza parties, perks, or carefully crafted slogans, with Deonne explaining the importance of building the infrastructure that allows culture to thrive, giving teams ownership of it, and learning to recognize when an organization’s attempts at creating energy are actually missing the mark. She shares some wonderfully candid stories along the way—including mandatory member high-fives, branch dance parties, and a particularly memorable chocolate-fountain-filled commercial! The three of us also explore the connection between culture and purpose, including Mazuma’s emphasis on helping employees identify their own purpose and understand how it connects to the organization. Deonne talks about belonging, particularly for people who don’t fit the stereotypical image of an energetic or outgoing workplace culture, and why healthy cultures need both positivity and accountability. Deonne also reflects on her own evolution as a leader and the realization that being kind and caring doesn’t mean sacrificing effectiveness, and we discuss how leaders can care deeply about their people while still holding them accountable. Deonne offers some practical advice for anyone who feels that their career has become too closely tied to titles or positions, encouraging listeners to separate their identities from the corporate ladder and reconnect with their own purpose. This is truly a conversation about culture, purpose, belonging, leadership, burnout, humor and the energy we create for the people around us, and we hope that you enjoy our conversation with Deonne Christensen! Connect with Deonne: Deonne Christensen, President and CEO of Mazuma Credit Union mazuma.org Deonne: LinkedIn Mazuma Credit Union: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List Show notes from this episode: Sponsor: Trellance Shout-out: Mazumans Film mentioned: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory Shout-out: Chick-fil-a Character mentioned: Michael Scott TV series mentioned: The Office Shout-out: Deonne’s four teenagers Shout-out: CUES Symposium Shout-out: Claude Shout-out: Zoom Shout-out: Mazuma’s Chief Risk Officer Shout-out: Mazuma’s Chief Information Officer Previous guests mentioned in this episode: George Hofheimer (#33); Kelly Botti (#238) In This Episode: [2:02] - Deonne believes that a strong culture requires leadership investment, infrastructure, and space for people to take ownership. [4:49] - Early culture efforts can easily miss the mark when they don’t reflect employees’ and members’ real experiences. [6:10] - Deonne asserts that culture should fuel meaningful work without creating forced or disconnected experiences for employees and members. [9:07] - Hear how Deonne's employees have refined the culture by integrating its values naturally into their everyday work. [10:43] - Personal purpose helps employees align their work with something deeper than just compensation or status. [13:08] - Deonne and Jill discuss how work is a type of a relationship. [15:31] - Hear how a healthy culture makes everyone feel they belong and can contribute, regardless of personality type. [18:05] - Deonne reflects on how, after years of leadership effort, employees eventually took ownership of the culture before pandemic fatigue dimmed its spark. [19:48] - Rebuilding culture requires addressing struggles directly rather than allowing conflict or burnout to go unresolve [22:19] - Jill and Deonne talk about how core values define how teams handle conflict, accountability, and challenges while supporting a healthy workplace culture. [25:24] - Deonne argues that effective leadership combines kindness and empathy with accountability and high expectations. [28:14] - A strong workplace balances caring for individuals with serving a purpose larger than themselves. [31:27] - Sharing cultural leadership empowers teams while allowing leaders to recharge and maintain energy. [34:39] - Hear how, even though she loves people, Deonne is an introvert and sometimes needs time to recharge her social battery. [36:26] - Deonne advises how discovering personal purpose can free people from defining success through titles, positions, or advancement. [38:52] - Deonne offers an example of how embracing humor can make stressful work more manageable and memorable. Send us Fan Mail

  • S8 · E238
    July 31 · 45 min

    Transitions with Kelly Botti (#238)

    “You get this feeling that your job as a leader is to sink the long putt. But your job is to caddy.” – Kelly Botti Welcome to episode 238 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jilly Nowacki, co-founder, president and CEO of Zealyst. This episode is sponsored by Trellance. Trellance is a leading technology partner for credit unions, delivering innovative technology solutions to help credit unions achieve more. With a comprehensive suite of analytics, cloud and talent solutions, the Trellance team ensures credit unions increase efficiency, manage risk, and improve member experience. Learn more here! In this 2026 season, Jilly and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. For this episode, we are so thrilled to welcome Kelly Botti - President and CEO of Trumark Credit Union! She joins us to talk about how leadership transitions rarely happen as cleanly as a new title or promotion suggests. We discuss the personal side of change—the uncomfortable stretch of time and growth between who we were and who we're becoming, and we unpack why the biggest leadership shifts often happen internally long before anyone else even notices them! Listen in as Kelly reflects on stepping into executive leadership at a young age, the pressure to prove herself, and how chasing credibility sometimes pulled her away from authenticity. We talk about why experience and not just intelligence often shapes stronger leaders, how mentorship can fill the gaps that life hasn't yet provided, and why trying to have all the answers often acts as an obstacle to actual influence. The three of us share our own stories of early-career missteps, the lessons that we wish we had learned sooner, and how our perspectives have changed over time. Our discussion also examines what leadership looks like once success is no longer measured by personal output, and we talk about creating the conditions for others to succeed, resisting the urge to solve every problem yourself, and continually bringing teams back to a shared mission instead of micromanaging. Kelly offers practical insights into creating a sense of alignment, leading experienced teams, and communicating a vision without controlling every decision. We also spend some time on something leaders don't discuss nearly enough: the emotional work behind major transitions. From burnout and self-awareness to having trusted people in our life who are candid and honest, we explore what it really takes to stay grounded while carrying a lot of responsibility on our shoulders. We close by discussing why the best leaders aren't driven by ego but rather by purpose. If you're working through a major career change, growing into a new leadership role, or simply trying to become a more authentic leader, we think you'll find plenty to reflect on in this conversation with Kelly Botti! Connect with Kelly: Kelly Botti, President and CEO of TruMark Credit Union trumark.com Kelly: LinkedIn TruMark Credit Union: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List Show notes from this episode: Sponsor: Trellance Place mentioned: Europe Shout-out: Montana Credit Union Place mentioned: Montana Shout-out: Kelly’s sister Shout-out: Kelly’s team Place mentioned: Philadelphia, PA Shout-out: Orange Theory Fitness Shout-out: Kelly’s son Shout-out: Kelly’s coach Shout-out: Lokai Place mentioned: Dead Sea Place mentioned: Mount Everest Shout-out: Harrison Assessments Podcast episode mentioned: Despite Impossible - “Season 4 Episode 26: Jill Nowacki” Shout-out: Peloton Previous guests mentioned in this episode: Faye Nabhani (#233); Tansley Stearns (#228) In This Episode: [2:27] - How would Kelly define transition? [4:13] - Authentic leadership requires inner peace rather than adapting to please others. [7:29] - Kelly reflects on how building credibility as C.E.O. required patience, relationships, and less focus on proving herself. [10:24] Hear how experienced mentors compensated for Kelly's limited life experience as a new C.E.O. [12:05] - Jill illustrates how experience teaches leaders to prioritize meaningful issues over perfection. [15:01] - Authentic leaders create conditions for others to solve problems instead of solving them personally. [18:23] - Kelly reflects on her leadership which centers on aligning executives around mission, resources, and collaboration. [21:28] - We joke about the nuances between being “real life” funny and “business” funny. [22:42] - Role transitions often prioritize work over well-being until the personal cost is later realized. [24:09] - Hear how burnout taught Kelly that emotional growth requires vulnerability, support, and self-reflection. [27:35] - Others tend to notice burnout via changed behavior, even when leaders believe they conceal it. [30:30] - It's very important for leaders to manage their energy because it shapes everyone around them. [33:49] - Kelly's coach uses Lokai bracelets to illustrate balancing humility during success with hope during hardship. [35:48] - Releasing past pain as motivation helped create steadier leadership and calmer team dynamics for Kelly. [37:18] - Consistently being transparent and having a shared purpose build trust through major transitions. [41:06] - Kelly and Jill talk about how leadership is a lifelong journey, not a destination requiring constant urgency or achievement. [43:31] - Kelly believes that the best leaders are not egotistical. Send us Fan Mail

  • S8 · E237
    July 3 · 37 min

    Collaboration with April Clobes (#237)

    “My biggest goal is that the industry wins, thrives, and survives. You don't do that alone. That's a whole movement.” – April Clobes Welcome to episode 237 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jilly Nowacki, co-founder, president and CEO of Zealyst. This episode is sponsored by Trellance. Trellance is a leading technology partner for credit unions, delivering innovative technology solutions to help credit unions achieve more. With a comprehensive suite of analytics, cloud and talent solutions, the Trellance team ensures credit unions increase efficiency, manage risk, and improve member experience. Learn more at Trellance.com! In this new 2026 season, Jilly and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. For this episode, we welcome back April Clobes who was a previous guest in episode #73. April is the President and CEO of MSU Federal Credit Union, and she joins us today to talk about the importance of collaboration in the credit union space. Listen in as we discuss how she has grown the credit union from 100 to over 1,200 employees while keeping a strong focus on inclusion, shared ownership, and creating space for every team member to contribute. April shares how curiosity and “what if” thinking have affected everything from new member experiences to experimental concepts such as her organization’s kid-focused Money Lab. We also explore what it takes to build trust across a fast-moving organization (and across an entire industry). April explains why showing up consistently, listening intently, and co-creating solutions can help speed up innovation far beyond what any single organization can achieve alone. April also opens up about the reality of leadership being imperfect—including missed blind spots, the importance of feedback, and learning to slow down and bring others in earlier. We discuss shifting workplace expectations, where employees are increasingly comfortable asking “why” and challenging decisions and how that shift is reshaping leadership styles. Finally, we talk about a more personal side of leadership and how networks of peers, mentors, and board relationships help counteract the loneliness that can sometimes come with executive roles. April leaves us with a clear invitation: collaboration isn’t just a strategy for growth, it’s a commitment to showing up for each other so the whole industry can do better together. We hope that you enjoy this insightful conversation with April Clobes! Connect with April: April Clobes, President and CEO of Michigan State University Federal Credit Union msufcu.org April: LinkedIn | april.clobes@msufcu.org MSU Federal Credit Union: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List Show notes from this episode: Sponsor: Trellance Shout-out: CUES Directors Conference Shout-out: Jack Henry Shout-out: Scimitar Shout-out: the lab at MSUFCU Place mentioned: Lansing, Michigan Shout-out: CUDX Shout-out: Chase Shout-out: Scott Simpson Shout-out: Bank of America Shout-out: Jilly's friend Brent Book mentioned: Theory U: Leading from the Future as It Emerges by Otto Scharmer Shout-out: Jilly's son Crosby Previous guests mentioned in this episode: April Clobes (#73); Mark Zook (#230); Patty Corkery (#112 & #213); Tracie Kenyon (#12, CUInsight Network episode #64, & #209); Steph Sherrodd (#46); Linda Armyn (#178) In This Episode: [2:24] - April argues that collaboration strengthens outcomes by combining different perspectives and skills. [3:32] - Hear how, as April's organization grew, intentional communication kept employees engaged and up to date. [6:03] - A culture focused on mission helps inspire employees to improve members' lives while supporting one another's success. [8:54] - Great leaders embrace feedback, admit imperfections, and continually course-correct alongside their teams. [10:43] - Jilly asserts that employee resistance often reveals overlooked opportunities that strengthen ideas via collaboration. [12:08] - Resetting with fresh perspectives can help uncover blind spots and turn setbacks into good outcomes. [14:25] - Hear how industry trust grew via consistent contributions and a strong commitment to collective success. [17:31] - April explains how strong vendor partnerships can lead to faster innovation as well as better collaboration and outcomes for members. [20:20] - Curiosity sparks ideas, but collaborative teams then transform them into impactful innovations. [21:48] - April asserts that greater industry collaboration and shared data could strengthen AI and better serve members collectively. [24:49] - April believes that anonymous data sharing could strengthen industry success. [27:31] - Hear how meaningful relationships and peer networks make collaboration, learning, and leadership more effective. [30:17] - April believes that it's important for today's leaders to embrace inclusion, transparency, and employees who confidently ask "why." [33:56] - Hear how AI reduces routine work, freeing employees to focus on higher-value thinking and innovation. [36:06] - In closing, April adds that collaboration thrives when leaders openly share knowledge, resources, and support across the industry! Send us Fan Mail

  • #236
    June 19 · 30 min

    Future (#236)

    “Moving forward, moving ahead, it doesn't diminish what came before. It honors it.” - Jilly Nowacki Welcome to episode 236 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jilly Nowacki, co-founder, president and CEO of Zealyst. This episode is sponsored by Trellance. Trellance is a leading technology partner for credit unions, delivering innovative technology solutions to help credit unions achieve more. With a comprehensive suite of analytics, cloud and talent solutions, the Trellance team ensures credit unions increase efficiency, manage risk, and improve member experience. Learn more here! In this new 2026 season, Jilly and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. For this episode, we talk about how, at some point, every leader faces a question that can be surprisingly difficult to answer: Is it time to move forward? This episode comes at such a perfect time, too, due to Jilly's recent launch of Zealyst, and we explore what happens when success, stability, and familiarity no longer feel fully aligned with who we've become. We also talk candidly about the signals that often appear long before a major change takes place such as loss of energy, impatience, growing friction, and the quiet realization that something new is calling us forward. During our conversation, we are challenging the idea that moving on means that something failed; sometimes, a chapter ends because it accomplished exactly what it was meant to accomplish. We discuss why leaders often stay longer than they should, how fear of disappointing others can cloud decision-making, and why timing never seems quite right when you're standing on the edge of a meaningful change. We also reflect on some stories from years of working with leaders who wrestled with questions about succession, retirement, career moves, and personal growth, and, together, we unpack the difference between pushing through a temporary rough patch and recognizing when you've outgrown a role or a version of yourself. Perhaps most importantly, though, we talk about what becomes possible when you finally make the decision to move forward. From renewed energy and creativity to a deeper sense of purpose, some of the most meaningful opportunities only appear once you're willing to take the first step! Enjoy our conversation! Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List Show notes from this episode: Sponsor: Trellance Shout-out: Humanidei Shout-out: Zealyst Film mentioned: Jerry Maguire Shout-out: Jill’s son Crosby Book mentioned: The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick) by Seth Godin Article mentioned: “Leaning into liminality” by Tracie Kenyon Previous guests mentioned in this episode: Tracie Kenyon (#12, CUInsight Network episode #64, & #209) & Tansley Stearns (#36, #146, & #228) In This Episode: [1:44] - Jill announces her recent transition to Zealyst! [4:19] - Hear how misalignment drains energy and makes even minor frustrations feel even more overwhelming. [6:11] - Success sometimes makes it harder to recognize a need for change. [9:13] - Growth sometimes requires difficult changes despite fears or past commitments. [11:23] - Jill points out how leaders often move on after recognizing growth points beyond current roles. [13:58] - Purpose remains constant, but ever changing circumstances may require a new path. [17:31] - It's important for leaders to discern temporary challenges from dead ends to keep evolving. [20:40] - Meaningful decisions often happen before clarity arrives, so trust yourself and move forward step by step. [21:25] - Leaving liminal space enables presence, creativity, and momentum after uncertainty resolves. [24:10] - When work no longer energizes you, change restores energy, enthusiasm, and contagious engagement! [25:21] - Jill touches upon curiosity and how it can shift from what will happen to you toward what you will create. [26:40] - We play a quick round of rapidfire questions. [28:29] - We discuss how leadership honors the past by embracing growth and moving into new seasons. Send us Fan Mail

  • #235
    June 5 · 44 min

    Harmony with Samantha Beeler (#235)

    “Remember to give your team time to shine.” – Samantha Beeler Welcome to episode 235 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jilly Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by Trellance. Trellance is a leading technology partner for credit unions, delivering innovative technology solutions to help credit unions achieve more. With a comprehensive suite of analytics, cloud and talent solutions, the Trellance team ensures credit unions increase efficiency, manage risk, and improve member experience. Learn more here! In this new 2026 season, Jilly and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. This week on the podcast, we welcome back Samantha Beeler, President of The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates. She returns to the podcast to discuss what it looks like to live and lead well at the same time. We talk about how success on paper can still feel hollow when it comes at the expense of presence, health, or the people we care about and how many leaders learn that achievement alone doesn’t hold up as a definition of a good life. Listen in as we share how those lessons rarely arrive in one dramatic moment but instead build through seasons, habits, missteps, and small course corrections. From missed boundaries to rules about disconnecting, we reflect on what it means to step back from making efforts to be constantly available and challenge the idea that being always-on is a requirement for being effective. Listen as Samantha opens up about the real tradeoffs behind leadership decisions—including times when she pushed too hard, learned from it, and began relying more intentionally on boundaries and the people around her to keep her grounded. Throughout our conversation, we return to the idea that leadership is shaped just as much by who surrounds us as by anything we accomplish on our own. Mentors, peers, teams, and even family members all play big roles in helping us see ourselves more clearly and adjust when we drift off course. We also discuss the pressure leaders often feel to be everywhere, know everything, and never miss an opportunity and how that mindset can quietly pull life out of alignment. We hope that you enjoy our insightful conversation with Samantha Beeler! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Connect with Samantha: Samantha Beeler, President of The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates the-league.coop Samantha: LinkedIn The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List Show notes from this episode: Sponsor: Trellance Shout-out: Jilly's son Crosby Shout-out: Paul Mercer Shout-out: Troy Stang Shout-out: Samantha’s father Shout-out: Montana Credit Union Shout-out: Samantha’s husband Shout-out: Samantha’s kids Shout-out: Samantha’s board member Chris Shout-out: GAC Place mentioned: Alabama Place mentioned: Georgia Place mentioned: Hartford, CT Place mentioned: Las Vegas, NV Shout-out: Alyssa Horwitz Shout-out: Humanidei Shout-out: Adam Grant Previous guests mentioned in this episode: Samantha Beeler (#196); Caroline Willard (#20, #147, & #221); Patty Corkery (#112 & #213); Tracie Kenyon (#12, CUInsight Network episode #64, & #209); Robbie Young (#193 & CUInsight Network episode); & Greg Michlig (#156) In This Episode: [2:32] - Samantha touches upon what living well means to her at this stage of her life. [5:48] - Jilly points out that meaningful change develops gradually via habits that improve presence and reduce work attachment. [7:29] - Samantha argues that mentors and lived experiences help shape leadership growth more than titles or roles do. [10:12] - Hear how past imbalance taught Samantha that success requires boundaries, rest, and sustainable work habits. [13:00] - Samantha points out how modern work culture normalizes unsustainable pace, prompting her to question its necessity. [16:07] - External accountability helps Samantha recognize when she is overworking and maintain healthier boundaries. [19:38] - Samantha believes that leadership requires creating space for others. [22:01] - Jilly and Randy talk about how frequent conferences shape credit union culture, sometimes limiting time for meaningful local collaboration. [23:38] - Jilly points out how reframing leadership as creating opportunities for others helps transform FOMO into more purposeful delegation. [25:26] - Hear how life is seasonal integration rather than a fragile balance, and stepping back rarely causes disaster. [28:36] - Samantha agrees that viewing life in seasons can reveal shifting priorities where being present is more important than constant work urgency. [31:01] - Jilly and Samantha agree upon the importance of radical transparency. [33:53] - Team support helps Samantha protect boundaries and reminds her that leadership is a long-term commitment. [36:05] - Samantha asserts that authentic leadership requires vulnerability, shared leadership, and leaders who help develop other leaders. [37:26] - Jilly and Samantha discuss how emerging leaders show strong potent Send us Fan Mail

  • #234
    May 22 · 44 min

    Values with Brent Rempe (#234)

    “Our values are also meant to be adjectives.” – Brent Rempe Welcome to episode 234 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by Trellance. Trellance is a leading technology partner for credit unions, delivering innovative technology solutions to help credit unions achieve more. With a comprehensive suite of analytics, cloud and talent solutions, the Trellance team ensures credit unions increase efficiency, manage risk, and improve member experience. Learn more here! In this new 2026 season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. This week on the podcast, we are happy to welcome back Brent W. Rempe, President and CEO of First Alliance Credit Union. He joins us to discuss the importance of having and modeling values as a leader. Together, we talk about how values are often easy to name but much harder to put into operation, especially when leaders are faced with difficult decisions such as having to have accountability conversations, enact organizational change, and/or balance mission with financial realities. Listen in as Brent shares how his own values were shaped through early life experiences, Catholic social teaching, and years in the credit union movement, and how those influences continue to guide his leadership today as something that must be actively put into practice rather than just documented and/or stated. We also reflect on how values show up in real organizational work—how they are tested in moments of conflict, how they can be clarified via simple grounding questions, and how important it is to separate technical mistakes from deeper values misalignment. Throughout our conversation, we also challenge the idea that values belong solely on a wall or in a strategic plan and instead explore how they become real via consistent behavior, honest reflection, and accountability at every level of leadership—with Brent also walking us through how First Alliance redefined its mission, vision, and values via a collaborative, employee-driven process. Later, we talk about the very real tension between mission and margin, the importance of keeping things simple enough to remember, and why service must be more than a slogan if it’s going to be at all meaningful. By the end of our conversation, we land on a shared truth: values are not what an organization claims but are what it does when no one is watching and when decisions get hard. Enjoy our conversation with Brent Rempe! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Connect with Brent: Brent W. Rempe, C.E.O. & President of First Alliance Credit Union firstalliancecu.com Brent: LinkedIn First Alliance Credit Union: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List Show notes from this episode: Sponsor: Trellance TV series mentioned: The Lion Guard Article mentioned: Harvard Business Review - “Building Your Company’s Vision” Book mentioned: Good to Great by Jim Collins Shout-out: Jerry I. Porras Shout-out: Sam Plester Shout-out: Mission Brands Consulting Shout-out: Kristina Kovacevic Shout-out: Callahan & Associates Book mentioned: CEO Excellence by Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller, & Vikram Malhotra Shout-out: McKinsey & Company Shout-out: WEOKIE Federal Credit Union Book mentioned: Callahan’s Strategic Growth Framework by Jon Jeffreys Previous guests mentioned in this episode: Brent Rempe (#182); Oscar Porras (#23 & CUInsight Network episode) In This Episode: [2:30] - Brent reflects on how his values have been shaped by his mother’s servant leadership, resilience, and community commitment. [4:32] - Formative experiences in Catholic social teaching and cooperative principles also guide how Brent applies his values as C.E.O. [6:46] - Brent believes that difficult offboarding decisions require balancing values and accountability despite personal emotional strain. [8:07] - Hear how, when challenges arise, Brent focuses on collective outcomes and addressing problems directly. [9:32] - Jill argues that alignment creates clarity, peace, and better self-awareness. [12:57] - Brent asserts that leadership is action demonstrated via accountability, humility, and choosing others’ interests over your own. [16:28] - Jill argues that values only count when actually put into action and not just on paper. [18:16] - Collaborative, staff-driven renewal of values strengthens alignment with purpose and direction. [21:16] - Simple, employee-created values can build ownership, alignment, and stronger organizational performance. [23:25] - Hear how having too many values can actually do more harm than good. [25:07] - Brent agrees and adds that values must be few, memorable, and clearly structured so that employees can consistently recall and apply them. [27:04] - Brent treats people with grace and multiple chances but also has to make hard decisions when growth stops. [31:04] - It's important for community service to prioritize underserved members and not just meet basic expectations or performance metrics. [34:52] - Hear how Brent has aligned leadership evaluation with mission-driven excellence. [37:56] - Discover how Jill models consistency. [40:01] - Brent regards C.E.O. leadership as constantly reinforcing values while encouraging progress and connection and avoiding complacency. [41:47] - Brent and Jill believe that authenticity, consistency, and passion are components of great leadership. [42:19] - Brent reveals that routinely spending time with his son helps him stay grounded. Send us Fan Mail

  • S8 · E233
    May 8 · 43 min

    Shine with Faye Nabhani (#233)

    “Investment in people is literally a business strategy. We win when our people win.” – Faye Nabhani Welcome to episode 233 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jilly Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by Trellance. Trellance is a leading technology partner for credit unions, delivering innovative technology solutions to help credit unions achieve more. With a comprehensive suite of analytics, cloud and talent solutions, the Trellance team ensures credit unions increase efficiency, manage risk, and improve member experience. Learn more here! In this new 2026 season, Jilly and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. This week on the podcast, we return to a simple but far too often overlooked truth: leadership is not about staying in the spotlight but is rather about building space so that other people can step forward and shine. We explore how legacy isn’t really what we accomplish alone, but who we help develop along the way, and joining us to help us tackle this discussion is Faye Nabhani, CEO of SAFE Credit Union, whose work is often defined by a culture rooted in trust, growth, and people-first leadership! We talk with Faye about what it actually feels like to develop people in practice, and she shares the joy of watching someone realize that they are capable of more than they believed—those moments when confidence finally clicks because someone took a chance on them! We also discuss the distinction between mentorship and sponsorship, and how powerful it is when someone opens doors for you before you even know you’re ready to walk through them. Faye reflects on opportunities that place leaders into unfamiliar, high-responsibility roles and how those experiences can truly help reshape confidence and capability. We also talk about how to recognize emerging leaders without trying to force development. Listen in as we also explore what it means when the people in whom you invest eventually move on and how strong leadership cultures create alumni who carry that experience forward and reflect it back into the world! We open up about the shift into senior leadership: learning to let go of control, focus on fewer priorities, and accept that authority doesn’t translate into day-to-day execution, and Faye shares how unlearning the urge to do everything has been just as important as learning how to lead. We finally close on what it feels like to see someone you’ve supported succeed and offer up the reminder that helping others shine often means stepping back just enough to let them. Enjoy our conversation with Faye Nabhani! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Connect with Faye: Faye Nabhani, CEO & President of SAFE Credit Union safecu.org Faye: LinkedIn SAFE Credit Union: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok Send us Fan Mail

  • #232
    April 24 · 38 min

    Rhythm with Ken Cahoon (#232)

    “You have to lead through your people.” – Ken Cahoon Welcome to episode 232 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jilly Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by Trellance. Trellance is a leading technology partner for credit unions, delivering innovative technology solutions to help credit unions achieve more. With a comprehensive suite of analytics, cloud and talent solutions, the Trellance team ensures credit unions increase efficiency, manage risk, and improve member experience. Learn more here! In this new 2026 season, Jilly and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. Listen in as we talk all about having a daily rhythm with Kenyahda Cahoon, CEO of Signal Financial Federal Credit Union. We reflect on how our own days are structured around intention rather than reaction, from early morning routines and workouts to time specifically set aside for coaching, strategy, and reflection, and we talk about how those choices shape the way we show up for our teams. Ken walks us through how his week at Signal Financial is carefully crafted, with Mondays centered on one-on-ones with his team (which is non-negotiable for him), midweek focused on execution and external relationships, and Fridays reserved for stepping back into visionary thinking and reviewing the week with a “watch the tape” mindset. We also openly discuss what tends to pull leaders out of rhythm in the first place—getting buried in emails, mistaking busyness for impact, or slipping into the comfort of doing work that feels more immediately gratifying. All three of us challenge that instinct and explore what it looks like to consistently operate at your highest value instead of defaulting to what feels urgent or familiar. Ken shares how he had to reset his approach when moving into a new organization, learning to protect time for strategy and leadership rather than letting the calendar run the show. Throughout our conversation, we ultimately land on the fact that leadership rhythm is not something that you perfect once and keep forever. It’s something you constantly notice, adjust, and recommit to by getting clear on your role, protecting the work only you can do, and staying honest about what’s moving the organization forward. We hope that you enjoy our conversation with Ken Cahoon! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Connect with Ken: Kenyahda Cahoon, CEO of Signal Financial Federal Credit Union signalfinancialfcu.org Ken: LinkedIn Signal Financial Federal Credit Union: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok Sponsor: Trellance Send us Fan Mail

  • #231
    April 10 · 42 min

    Anchored with Liz Ponder (#231)

    “Our primary avenue of communication is creating moments.” – Liz Ponder Welcome to episode 231 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by Trellance Cooperative Holdings, Inc. Trellance is the parent company behind some of the most trusted credit union tech providers, such as Rise Analytics, ProBridge and Optiri. By providing tech to credit unions and investing in new solutions, Trellance aims to create growth opportunities for the entire industry and to empower credit unions to embrace innovative new technology. Learn more at Trellance.com In this new 2026 season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. This week on the show, we welcome Liz Ponder, CEO of SRP Federal Credit Union. Liz is here to help us explore a concept which we firmly believe that every leader needs: a personal leadership compass. Listen in as Liz walks us through how she’s defined her own guiding principles and how those values shape the way she leads. She highlights why things like clarity, purpose, and empathy are not just meaningless buzzwords but tools to help her team understand their roles, see the impact of their work, and feel truly connected to the credit union’s mission. We dig into how leadership isn’t about moving fast or accumulating accolades but is about bringing people along, with Liz reflecting on how her listening skills, shaped early by her mother’s hearing impairment, helped her evolve into a leader who communicates intentionality and empathetically. We also get into how Liz works to intentionally build psychological safety, encouraging her team to speak up and share ideas without consequence. She also fosters a culture where transparency and collaboration drive real impact, not just numbers on a report. We also talk about the powerful role of language, mentorship, and modeling values in leadership, with Liz reflecting on lessons learned from her early career and how she has empowered others to find their voice. She also advises on how to guide people toward roles that align with their strengths and purpose and stresses the fact that leadership is ultimately not about a title. Liz firmly believes that anyone can lead from the position that they are in, even if it's a more junior position. Toward the end of the episode, we get a little more personal as we hear more about how Liz’s childhood shaped her leadership style, and she shares her next steps for the future, including an ambitious program to build up the next generation of female leaders! Liz truly blends humility with vision, staying grounded while building an organization that thrives because people feel valued, heard, and empowered. This episode is packed with practical insights and stories from the front lines of leadership and it's truly one you are going to love! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Connect with Liz: Liz Ponder, CEO of SRP Federal Credit Union srpfcu.org SRP Federal Credit Union: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Send us Fan Mail

  • S8 · E230
    March 27 · 43 min

    Upward with Mark Zook (#230)

    “Getting it right means getting the right people, balance, structure, and authority—and everyone loving what they’re doing.” – Mark Zook Welcome to episode 230 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jilly Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by Alacriti, a leading payments fintech helping credit unions modernize money movement. Alacriti enables real-time money movement experiences for loan payments, A2A transfers, digital disbursements, and bill pay. Through a single cloud-native platform that connects to RTP, FedNow, Fedwire, ACH, Visa Direct, and Zelle, credit unions can progressively modernize without overhauling legacy systems. Learn more at alacriti.com! In this new 2026 season, Jilly and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. Join us for this episode as we welcome Mark Zook, President and CEO of Maps Credit Union. He joins us to discuss something that many leaders experience but rarely say out loud: the fact that real growth often begins after you become the CEO. Mark stepped into the CEO role internally and has continued to evolve as a leader via years of work both inside his organization and across the credit union movement! Listen in as Mark shares what it was like moving into the CEO seat after seventeen years at Maps, believing himself to be prepared only to quickly realize how wrong that he had been. His first months in the role happened during the chaos of the Great Recession, which forced him and his newly assembled executive team to come together quickly, make difficult decisions, and build resilience in real time—all early challenges which shaped how he approaches leadership today! We also spend some time talking about one of the biggest transitions leaders face: shifting from being the person who gets things done to the person who empowers others to do the work. Mark reflects on how his “builder” mindset had to evolve once he became CEO. Instead of being the one executing, he instead had to learn how to listen, support, and guide the people around him. Throughout our conversation, we also touch upon the role that mentors play in leadership growth, with Mark reflecting on the major influence that former Maps CEO Dan Penn had on him, having pushed him into opportunities long before he felt ready. That spirit of curiosity and experimentation has shaped a lot of Maps' culture—from launching organizations that benefit the industry and even to entering newly emerging areas such as cannabis banking. We also talk about the value of iteration in leadership and how ideas rarely start fully formed. Hear how many of the initiatives that began as small experiments at Maps have grown into major organizations serving credit unions nationwide. Along the way, Mark shares lessons about risk, resilience, and the importance of building strong teams. If you have ever wondered what leadership growth looks like after the promotion, our conversation with Mark Zook offers an honest and thoughtful perspective! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Connect with Mark: Mark Zook, President/CEO of Maps Credit Union Send us Fan Mail

  • S8 · E229
    March 13 · 35 min

    Space (#229)

    “Creating space isn't accidental, but an actual decision that must be made every day.” - Jilly Nowacki Welcome to episode 229 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jilly Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by Alacriti, a leading payments fintech helping credit unions modernize money movement. Alacriti enables real-time money movement experiences for loan payments, A2A transfers, digital disbursements, and bill pay. Through a single cloud-native platform that connects to RTP, FedNow, Fedwire, ACH, Visa Direct, and Zelle, credit unions can progressively modernize without overhauling legacy systems. Learn more at alacriti.com! In this new 2026 season, Jilly and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. Join us for this episode as we discuss something that is seemingly simple but surprisingly difficult for leaders to do: creating space—space for the work that actually matters, space for the people who matter most, and space to think without your calendar screaming at you! Between emails, notifications, and endless meetings, it’s so easy to let the urgent take control over what's truly important, and we’re sharing how we intentionally carve out the time, energy, and focus to prevent that from happening. Tune in as we discuss why leadership isn’t just about doing more but is also about choosing what to give your attention to. Jilly shares why protecting your energy matters just as much as protecting your time, and we explore how easy it is to let the squeaky wheel hijack your focus. We talk about strategies like the urgent-important matrix and service level agreements, but also the subtler art of saying “no” without feeling guilty. Learning to resist comparison and focusing on your organization’s mission instead of someone else’s success can make a bigger difference than people realize. We also talk about the seasons of life and work, and how priorities shift over time. We reflect on moving from constant networking to more meaningful conversations, and we share how integrating personal and professional life helps with alignment and with what matters most! We also both share how we try to honor our natural rhythms, protect uninterrupted time for reflection, and avoid letting the “urgent” distract from the work that has the most impact. By the end of this episode, expect to hear how intentional space—not just busy schedules or productivity hacks—creates clarity, energy, and better decisions! We are sharing honest experiences, practical habits, and a few birthday weekend laughs along the way! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List Send us Fan Mail

  • S8 · E228
    February 27 · 34 min

    Identity with Tansley Stearns (#228)

    “As women, we have a lot of work to do—and that work is something we have to continue to be impatient about.” – Tansley Stearns Welcome to episode 228 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jilly Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by Alacriti, a leading payments fintech helping credit unions modernize money movement. Alacriti enables real-time money movement experiences for loan payments, A2A transfers, digital disbursements, and bill pay. Through a single cloud-native platform that connects to RTP, FedNow, Fedwire, ACH, Visa Direct, and Zelle, credit unions can progressively modernize without overhauling legacy systems. Learn more at alacriti.com! In this new 2026 season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. Join us for this episode as we welcome Tansley Stearns back to the show. Tansley is the President & CEO of orsa credit union, and she helps challenge us to think about leadership from the inside out, sharing a candid conversation about what it actually takes to become the kind of leader you’re proud to be, not just the one who looks impressive on paper. We talk with Tansley about a defining moment during COVID that reshaped how she thinks about people, trust, and growth and how, from that experience, came her powerful framework of “cushions and wings,” or the idea that leaders must first create safety, care, and trust before asking people to stretch, innovate, and take risks. Without the cushion, the wings can do real harm. That idea really sets the tone for our discussion on authenticity, emotional honesty, and the responsibility that leaders carry when people are watching everything that they do. Tansley shares what it’s meant for her life and journey as a leader to let go of people-pleasing, borrowed identities, and the masks she once wore to fit into rooms that didn’t always feel like home. We explore how embracing who she truly is—laughter, emotions, bold dreams, and all—has made her a more effective and trusted leader, and she also opens up about her uncompromising standards: no “brilliant jerks,” no behavior that harms people, and no shrinking herself to make others feel more comfortable. We also reflect on the mentors who have shaped us, the feedback that changed us, and the responsibility that we now have to show up for the next generation of leaders. We talk about values, joy, growth, and why leadership is ultimately about people, not metrics. This episode is for anyone who’s questioning who they’re becoming at work, who feels the weight of trying to belong, or who wants to lead with courage, care, and clarity, with Tansley reminding us that authenticity isn’t a destination but a practice! Enjoy our conversation with Tansley Stearns! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Connect with Tansley: Tansley Stearns, President & CEO of orsa credit union orsacu.org Tansley: LinkedIn orsa credit union: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Send us Fan Mail

  • S8 · E227
    February 13 · 30 min

    Green Lights with Scott Simpson (#227)

    “Don’t lose that zeal and passion, but don’t trade on the cheapest human emotions—fear and contempt.” – Scott Simpson Welcome to episode 227 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jilly Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by Alacriti, a leading payments fintech helping credit unions modernize money movement. Alacriti enables real-time money movement experiences for loan payments, A2A transfers, digital disbursements, and bill pay. Through a single cloud-native platform that connects to RTP, FedNow, Fedwire, ACH, Visa Direct, and Zelle, credit unions can progressively modernize without overhauling legacy systems. Learn more at alacriti.com! In this new 2026 season, Jilly and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. For this episode, we are joined by Scott Simpson, President/CEO of America’s Credit Unions. Listen in this episode as we step away from job titles and LinkedIn headlines to talk about the moments that shape a career—the quiet hinge points, the unexpected invitations, and the decisions that feel terrifying in real time but obvious in hindsight. We talk with Scott about the “green light” moments that changed everything: being pulled into politics by a friend, stepping into the middle of a high-stakes bank–credit union fight, and then finally receiving one of the most surprising career taps imaginable—being told to apply for a CEO role he never expected to be offered! What followed wasn’t just a promotion but a defining lesson in humility, courage, and emotional discipline. One of the most powerful parts of our conversation with Scott is the story that he shares about the leader he unintentionally jumped over and the grace that man showed in response. That choice, Scott tells us, didn’t just transform a working relationship; it reshaped his entire career, and we reflect on what it means to name the elephant in the room, ask “Are we okay?” after hard decisions, and lead from empathy rather than ego. Scott also opens up about balancing youthful confidence with seasoned wisdom, resisting the pull toward fear or contempt, and learning to keep “motoring” even when the road ahead feels unclear. From Utah to California to Washington, D.C., his journey shows how small rooms and overlooked moments can ripple across an entire industry, so, for anyone feeling impatient, stuck, or hungry for what’s next, this episode offers something more meaningful than a career checklist. It’s a reminder that growth doesn’t come from chasing status but rather from executing where you stand, lifting your part of the piano, and trusting that the road will bend when it’s time! Enjoy our conversation with Scott Simpson! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Connect with James: Scott Simpson, President/CEO of America’s Credit Unions americascreditunions.org Scott: LinkedIn< Send us Fan Mail

  • S8 · E226
    January 30 · 33 min

    Reflection (#226)

    “When someone joins an organization, you're not just buying into the work; you're buying into the leader too.” - Jilly Nowacki Welcome to episode 225 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jilly Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by Alacriti, a leading payments fintech helping credit unions modernize money movement. Alacriti enables real-time money movement experiences for loan payments, A2A transfers, digital disbursements, and bill pay. Through a single cloud-native platform that connects to RTP, FedNow, Fedwire, ACH, Visa Direct, and Zelle, credit unions can progressively modernize without overhauling legacy systems. Learn more at alacriti.com In this new 2026 season, Jilly and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. Following up on the first episode of the new 2026 season, we reflect on what leadership really looks like when you’re living it and not just reading about it. Early on for both of us, building something from nothing made every decision very personal. People weren’t just joining a company; they were trusting in us and the vision that we brought, and Jilly shares her own experience founding Humanidei and leading leagues, and we both explore the idea that when you hire someone, they’re buying into more than just the work; they’re buying into you as a leader and the philosophy that you bring. That alignment, we have found, can make all the difference in long-term growth and culture. We talk about the joy and the challenge of watching people grow. From employees stepping into new roles, achieving personal milestones, or moving on to other leadership positions, seeing that impact has been one of the most rewarding parts of our careers, yet it’s easy to overlook these moments in the day-to-day hustle, and we explore why it’s so important to recognize and nurture those “rock stars” and high-potential performers while gracefully letting go of those who unfortunately are not fully invested. We also dive into the weight of leadership, the balance between people and numbers, and how survival phases can make it especially difficult to hold onto joy. Both of us share personal lessons about the seasons of leadership and how knowing where to contribute at your highest value and building meaningful relationships inside and outside the organization can sustain inspiration over the long haul. By the end of our discussion, we land on one key truth: leadership isn’t measured by metrics alone. It’s measured by the people whose lives you have touched and the culture that you have fostered. We encourage leaders, whether you’re a year into the role or decades in, to pause and ask yourself: who has grown because of your leadership? For us, that reflection is often the most rewarding part - and the part that makes us smile! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List Send us Fan Mail

  • S8 · E225
    January 16 · 24 min

    Purpose (#225)

    “Purpose makes leadership feel worth it.” - Randy Smith Welcome to episode 225 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by Alacriti, a leading payments fintech helping credit unions modernize money movement. Alacriti enables real-time money movement experiences for loan payments, A2A transfers, digital disbursements, and bill pay. Through a single cloud-native platform that connects to RTP, FedNow, Fedwire, ACH, Visa Direct, and Zelle, credit unions can progressively modernize without overhauling legacy systems. Learn more at alacriti.com! In this new 2026 season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. We open this season with a clear intention: leadership that feels meaningful, sustainable, and human, and we are much less focused on fixing what’s broken and more on naming what helps leaders feel grounded, energized, and aligned with why they do the work in the first place. Purpose is ultimately the throughline, and Jill shares why it continues to matter so deeply to her, not just as a concept but as something that directly shapes well-being, motivation, and joy at work. From leadership teams to individuals feeling stuck, burned out, or in transition, she reflects on how a lack of purpose shows up in mental health, engagement, and fulfillment, with the question not being just how leaders define purpose for themselves but also how they help their teams understand the value of what they contribute every day. We also add another lens: purpose as the difference between motion and direction; running fast doesn’t help if you’re headed the wrong way. Together, we explore what it looks like to slow down just enough to make sure that the work is worth doing—especially after years marked by urgency, disruption, and constant change. Our conversation also touches on what leaders are grappling with right now. While AI and technology continue to evolve, Jill observes a noticeable shift as 2026 begins: less panic, more curiosity, and a renewed focus on staying human-centered while using new tools appropriately. You will also get a preview of what’s ahead this season, including conversations about career-defining moments, celebrating wins, building legacy, staying grounded, and finding joy in watching others succeed. Thanks for tuning in, and we hope that you enjoy this first episode of a new season of the show! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List Previous guest mentioned in this episode: Tracie Kenyon (episodes 12 & 209) Send us Fan Mail

  • S7 · E224
    Dec 5, 2025 · 33 min

    Connection with Fred Robinson (#224)

    “You have people that listen, then you have people that are waiting to talk.” – Fred Robinson Welcome to episode 224 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by The Sheeter Group - a leading executive benefits firm that meets your retention and succession needs. This includes non-qualified benefit plans, short and long-term incentive plans, compensation studies, scorecard design, performance evaluation, and more. Learn more at sheetergroup.com. In this season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. For this season finale, we welcome Fred Robinson, President/CEO at Tennessee Credit Union League. Fred has spent 42 years in the credit union business, and so many of his stories return to the simple idea that people remember people, not titles, not logos, and not institutions. Fred traces it through the mentors who shaped him, reminding us why it matters now more than it ever has. We dig into the real substance behind connection—the lived version built via trust, consistency, and showing up long enough for people to recognize that you actually mean what you say. Fred discusses the leaders who taught him that this work can become a calling and that your reputation can be shaped via one conversation, one promise kept, and one honest phone call at a time. He also shares the advice he gives younger professionals today, reminding us that growth isn’t always about chasing the next big thing but is sometimes about sticking with the work long enough to develop roots. Jill also brings in her perspective on our industry and how moving on isn’t the problem but that torching relationships on the way out definitely is. We share stories about how those long-term bonds are important even decades later and why someone new to the movement might feel overwhelmed walking into a room where everyone seems to know everyone. Fred makes a strong case that it’s our responsibility to bring newcomers in and show them connection. We also get into how connection works in a world that’s both very digital and still deeply human. We discuss why a phone call can have a bigger impact than an email, why physical presence still matters, and how meeting people at their own comfort level (whether that be face-to-face or via a screen) keeps relationships real and grounded. Enjoy our conversation with Fred Robinson! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Connect with Fred: Fred Robinson, President/CEO at Tennessee Credit Union League yourleague.org Fred: LinkedIn Tennessee Credit Union League: LinkedIn | Send us Fan Mail

  • S7 · E223
    Nov 21, 2025 · 33 min

    Gratitude (#223)

    “Leaders who intentionally practice gratitude create strong cultures, deeper connections, and more resilient teams.” – Randy Smith Welcome to episode 223 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com, and Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. This episode is sponsored by The Sheeter Group - a leading executive benefits firm that meets your retention and succession needs. This includes non-qualified benefit plans, short and long-term incentive plans, compensation studies, scorecard design, performance evaluation, and more. Learn more at sheetergroup.com. In this season, Jill and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too. For this episode, we are discussing the power of gratitude. Gratitude is a powerful leadership strategy that can have a huge impact on company culture, employee engagement, and team resilience, and we explore why gratitude matters so much for leaders as well as how to effectively foster it. Gratitude tends to fuel positive culture, strengthen relationships, and encourage people to bring their best selves to work. When challenges come up, gratitude helps teams bounce back better by making people feel seen, valued, and appreciated for their contributions, and it also builds trust and a sense of meaning, showing employees that they are not just "cogs in the wheel" but part of something more important. Expressing gratitude should be tied to specific impacts and outcomes, not just broad acknowledgments, and we caution against waiting for big events or milestones to show appreciation. We talk about some of the common barriers that prevent leaders from practicing gratitude more consistently, such as feeling like you are too busy or feeling worried that it will make the team complacent. We recommend building gratitude into daily routines and rituals such as starting meetings with a round of appreciation or having a weekly "gratitude moment" on team chats! We share some personal stories of how gratitude has shaped our own leadership journeys, helping us stay grounded and focused on what really matters in the end. Leaders at the top may receive less day-to-day gratitude, making it even more important for them to model the behavior. Gratitude is a simple but profound leadership practice. When used intentionally, it can transform company culture, deepen connections, and empower teams to achieve truly remarkable things together! We hope that you enjoy our conversation! Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com. Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List Send us Fan Mail

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