“Be unreasonable, but not unrealistic.” - Renée Sattiewhite

Welcome to episode 206 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. 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.

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.

In this episode, we are joined by Renée Sattiewhite, President & CEO at the African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC). We discuss the growing pains that come with scaling up an organization, and Renée reflects on her experience scaling AACUC through tough times, including a rapid expansion during the COVID-19 pandemic that required balancing remote hires and maintaining the organization's core values.

Renée’s journey as a leader truly highlights the importance of hiring the right people and making sure that the organization’s culture remains intact as things grow and change. She talks candidly about the lessons that she has learned in guiding her team and offers a unique perspective on leading during periods of growth. 

From training employees to prioritizing well-being over profits, Renée offers some truly valuable insight for leaders dealing with their own growing pains. Enjoy our conversation with Renée Sattiewhite!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify

How to find Renée:
Renée Sattiewhite, President & CEO at AACUC
aacuc.org
Renée: LinkedIn
AACUC: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube

“Don’t just bounce back—bounce better.” - Randy Smith

Welcome to episode 205 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. 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.

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.

In this episode, we discuss the idea of resilience, stressing that it isn’t just about weathering a storm; it’s also about coming out stronger on the other side of it. We talk about what it means to be a truly resilient leader and how organizations can build resilience into their DNA.

We talk about how leaders who thrive through difficult times are not just the ones who endure but those who adapt, inspire, and create opportunities out of challenges. We also discuss the traits that set resilient leaders apart—how they embrace setbacks and create adaptability in their teams.

As we further explore this topic, we talk about how it is not just an organizational trait; it’s also personal, and we look at the importance of leaders maintaining their own well-being, recognizing when to push forward and when to step back.

We hope you’ll enjoy this conversation as we cover practical ways to put resilience into operations!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List
Previous guests mentioned in this episode: Mike Valentine (episodes 128 & 204)

“As long as you take your job seriously and not yourself seriously, you’re ok.” - Mike Valentine

Welcome to episode 204 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. 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.

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.

In this episode, we welcome our friend Mike Valentine back to the show. Mike is the President and CEO of BCU in Illinois, and he joins us to reflect on some insights from his 40 years in the credit union industry, offering a refreshing perspective on leadership that prioritizes authenticity. We explore how leaders can balance being true to themselves while also taking on the expectations of others.

Mike opens up about the challenges that he faced early in his career. He stresses that being a leader isn’t about fitting into a mold but rather about embracing one’s true self, which ultimately leads to stronger connections and more effective leadership. We also discuss the importance of helping teams find and express their authentic selves and how diversity in leadership styles strengthens organizations.

As we further explore Mike’s journey, he touches upon the critical moments that helped shape his leadership style, including learning from mentors and handling work-life integration. Whether you are a current or aspiring leader, this episode will offer valuable insights into how to lead with integrity and authenticity! Enjoy our conversation with Mike Valentine!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Mike:
Mike Valentine, President and CEO of BCU
bcu.org
Mike: LinkedIn
BCU: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Want to hear more from Mike? Click here

“Looking out a couple years, your strategic plan may still be viable, but it sure has to be flexible.” - Randy Smith

Welcome to episode 203 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. 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.

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.

In this episode, we discuss creation vs. innovation and what we believe the primary differences between the two are. We discuss how leaders can strike the right balance between creating something entirely new and innovating on something that already exists. We also share our thoughts on the role of A.I. in speeding up innovation, why collaboration is important, and how organizations can put strategic change into effect.

We offer some insights into how leaders can stay ahead in an industry that is always evolving and changing. We talk about the challenges of gaining team buy-in, how to manage incremental improvements while also encouraging bold creation, and why it’s crucial to set clear, actionable steps after every planning session. We also discuss the idea of "minimum viable products" and how launching small ideas that can be tested can lead to truly meaningful innovation.

We hope that you will tune in for our conversation on how staying curious, facilitating collaboration, and having a mindset focused on growth can really transform the way that credit unions serve their members!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

“Recognize your own humanity and give yourself the resources you need to cultivate optimism.” - Jill Nowacki

Welcome to episode 202 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. 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.

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.

In this episode, you will hear us discuss the importance of optimism, especially as a leader. We unpack the differences (as well as similarities) between being optimistic and being realistic and Jill stresses why it’s so incredibly important that leaders set an example of optimism for their teams.

Not everyone is naturally inclined toward optimism, so we discuss some ways to cultivate it, and Jill highlights the importance of understanding that even though it’s crucial for leaders to model optimism, it’s important to understand that leaders are humans who have bad days as well, and we describe ways to match optimism with pessimism and find a happy medium. 

Whether you naturally lean more toward pessimism or toward optimism, this episode is one that you won’t want to miss!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

“There's nothing we can do today that makes tomorrow happen exactly how we think...” - Jill Nowacki

Welcome to episode 201 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. 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.

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.

A little change from the first 200 episodes. Have to keep it fresh and I think you all will find the changes entertaining. So many of the conversations and questions from the first 200 episodes came from around the island in our kitchen. So why not make it even more personal and keep microphones close by to record a couple times a month. It should be a fun season.

In this episode you will hear us reflect on the power of staying present, embracing change, and learning from the journey, regardless of whether life feels like it’s speeding by in front of you. As always, we leave you with some actionable takeaways to implement in your own leadership and life!

Whether you are in a season of big decisions or small steps, this episode is full of inspiration to help you start the year off with clarity and confidence, so join us as we kick off this new season together!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.
Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List 

“Stay authentic to your path.” - Jill Nowacki

Thank you for tuning in to episode 200 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com.

My guest on today’s show is Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. As we celebrate our milestone of 200 episodes, Jill and I reflect on 2024 (and her becoming co-host in 2025). We discuss the changing human expectations, pace of change, and transformational change within credit unions in 2024. As we look to the future, we explore the critical role vision plays in strategic planning.

During our conversation, Jill discusses how the shifting dynamics of the workforce are increasingly shaped by the need to prioritize human expectations. She talks about the common traits among thriving credit unions and what makes a resilient leadership team. Jill advises listeners to take a moment to celebrate the wins and lessons learned in 2024.

As we wrap up the show, Jill talks about becoming the co-host of the podcast, the topics she’s looking forward to discussing, and her dream guest for the podcast. She also talks about her favorite Christmas movie and who she thinks about when she hears the word “success”.

With Jill joining next season as co-host, we welcome fresh energy and insightful dialogues, so here's to what lies ahead. Enjoy my latest conversation with Jill Nowacki!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List

How to find Jill:
Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei
humanidei.com
Jill: LinkedIn
Humanidei: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X

“Our job is to encourage credit unions to reach underserved markets and show them how it can be a huge growth strategy.” - Cathie Mahon

Thank you for tuning in to episode 199 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Humanidei. Humanidei helps credit unions build inclusive cultures that attract, develop, and retain talent.

My guest on today’s show is Cathie Mahon, President and CEO at Inclusiv. Cathie ​​shares her career journey in credit unions that began over 30 years ago. She is deeply rooted in her passion for organizing and empowering underserved communities. From her early days as an intern during a pivotal time in Los Angeles to her leadership role in New York City’s Office of Financial Empowerment, Cathie has been on a mission to ensure financial inclusion for all.

During our conversation, Cathie discusses her experience at the SACCA Congress in Kenya, exploring the global cooperative movement and the significant lessons we can learn from African SACCOs. We discuss the challenges and opportunities within the credit union industry, particularly the role of “hyper-local” credit unions making substantial community impacts. Cathie also mentions the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator and its goal to provide funds to community lenders—helping them lend to clean energy projects in low-income communities.

As we wrap up the show, Cathie shares how she balances work and her personal life, some book recommendations, and the best advice she received. Enjoy my conversation with Cathie Mahon!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List 

How to find Cathie:
Cathie Mahon, President and CEO at Inclusiv
inclusiv.org
Cathie: LinkedIn
Inclusiv: LinkedIn | Facebook | X

“A good leader will create conversation by being honest about what they believe, even if they know people will disagree with it.” - Sekou Bermiss

Thank you for tuning in to episode 198 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Humanidei. Humanidei helps credit unions build inclusive cultures that attract, develop, and retain talent.

My guest on today’s show is Sekou Bermiss, Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the Kenan-Flagler Business School on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Sekou is also the next keynote speaker for the upcoming CUInsight Mini-Con: Winter Event. He shares some compelling insights about his journey from a chemical engineer to a well-respected strategist and academic. His unique perspective offers listeners a look into the complex challenges and opportunities facing the credit union industry today.

During our conversation, we discuss the talent shortage, particularly in IT, with Sekou emphasizing how credit unions can appeal to younger generations who are drawn to social responsibility. Sekou explains the significance of being resilient and adaptable in today’s environment, and talks about the common traits in organizations that do that well. Listen as Sekou explains how credit unions can foster resilience and innovation by creating a culture that encourages experimentation—allowing them to remain relevant and thrive amidst constant change.

As we wrap up the show, Sekou talks about trying new things to stay relevant, he lists his current favorite reads and shares his all-time favorite albums. Enjoy our conversation and don’t forget to register for the CUInsight Mini-Con: Winter Event to hear more from Sekou Bermiss!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List 

How to find Sekou:
Sekou Bermiss, Associate Professor at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan-Flagler Business School
kenan-flagler.unc.edu
Sekou: LinkedIn | Instagram
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube

“Learn to listen and be a collaborator.” - Renée Sattiewhite

Thank you for tuning in to episode 197 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Velera, formerly PSCU/Co-op Solutions, the nation’s premier payments credit union service organization and an integrated financial technology solutions provider. Velera serves more than 4,000 financial institutions throughout North America, operating with velocity to help its clients keep pace with the rapid momentum of change and fuel growth in the new era of financial services.

My guest on today's show is Renée Sattiewhite, President and CEO of the African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC). This conversation is held on-site at SACCA Congress in Kenya, surrounded by an influential group of 32 individuals from the U.S. credit union system. Renée shares what inspired her to bring this diverse group to Kenya, stemming from her experiences at previous congresses and her passion for fostering connections and future growth.

During our conversation, Renée talks about the unique insights gained from international perspectives. She shares the vast value of learning from different cultures to improve our practices for the communities we serve. We discuss how ACCOSCA’s commitment to inclusivity is evident through their efforts. Renée discusses strategies for developing a pipeline of diverse leaders and the significance of mentorship in nurturing the next generation. Listen as we explore the joys of international collaboration, the power of community, and the challenges we face as an industry, which also serve as opportunities for growth and lasting change.

As we wrap up the show, Renée shares who she thinks of when she hears the word, success. She shares book recommendations and provides advice to all listeners. Enjoy my conversation with Renée Sattiewhite!

Find the full show notes on cuinsight.com.

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher 

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List 

How to find Renée:
Renée Sattiewhite, President & CEO at AACUC
aacuc.org
Renée: LinkedIn
AACUC: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube