STOCKHOLM, Sweden–Four young credit union leaders, including the CEOs of credit unions and CU trade associations, have shared their stories on how they’ve gotten to where they are and what advice they would offer to other young people who hope to also rise into senior management or lead associations.

The views were shared during the World Credit Union Conference.

Panelists, all of whom are under 40, included:

• Kemar Cumberbatch, president, Barbados Cooperative and Credit Union League, Ltd.
• Kefilwe Masalila, CEO, Botswana Savings and Credit Cooperative Association
• Paul Norgrove, President, Association of British Credit Unions, Ltd., and CEO of Serve and Protect Credit Union
• Victor Saab, supervisory board member, Sicredit Rio Parana

The session was moderated by Paul Treinen, interim president and CEO of the World Council of Credit Unions.

Here’s a look at the advice, experiences and more that each of the young leaders had to share:

Q: What advice did you receive early on that you found beneficial and what advice would you like to communicate?

Cumberbatch: One piece of advice would be to always do the right thing, even if it is unpopular, because at some point I’m telling you some decision you make will not be the most popular with members of your board or other members of the elected committee. But as long as you’re making the best possible decision and you’re able to sleep, then you’re going to be fine.

The other piece is the most important part, where we are not just reminded that people helping people is the most important aspect of credit unions, but also knowing that when a member reaches out to you, as they have to each and every one of us, I’m sure, at all kinds of hours, they are in need. They may be underbanked or unbanked. They may be in a desperate position where they really need that particular loan. They’re relying on us to help them.

So, put yourselves in their shoes. The only person that they can turn to, the only institution that is there for them is the credit union. It is our responsibility to assist them and make sure that when they leave us they’re in a better position than they would have been. 

The Role of Mentorship

In terms of advice that I would give to others with relation to assisting other young persons like myself in growing in the movement, you have to realize that mentorship is a key part. 

(The general manager I succeeded) had been general manager as long as I’d been alive, so when he became the president we had to find a way to work together. I would come with a lot of ideas and I guess it was youthful exuberance, so we had to find a way to marry the two. The key thing all these mentors was give me the space to grow. They supported me and they did not play politics, which a lot of people do when it comes to the Annual General Meeting. They were not telling me to do this, do that. They allowed me the opportunity to be able to take the movement in the particular direction that I felt would be important.

An Additional Key

Another key part is to realize that the young people who come are interested in serving so, they’re not going to be interested in in a lot of the petty politics that some of us have experienced. This demographic is more about the instant yes. They want things to get done.

One of my challenges was that they had all these good ideas, but we have to be realistic and let them know that we’re not going to be able to realize all of them. So, let’s prioritize them and see which one is the most important and put them in in in order so that we can make the best possible decision for the sector.

Q: You became the only female CU association CEO in Africa.  You are active not only in the Young Professional Network, but in Global Women’s Leadership network. What  advice do you have for those who want to follow in your footprints?

Masalila: When I was younger I had the opportunity to go through the Development Educator program. One of the key takeaways from that program was ‘trust the process.’ That’s one thing I had to learn, that for everything there is a process.

So, young professionals, know that this journey is a process.

When I was doing (the DE program) we didn’t have the national association (for credit unions). I started volunteering my services at that very thing which I felt wasn’t working right.

So, this is another piece of advice to the young professionals: as we trust the process identify those things that are not working right in your own space and start saving them for later on.

I became the CEO of the very same organization where I volunteered my time and I have been privileged to work with networks. One of the things we need to value as young professionals is building strong networks. That is very critical not only for collaboration but it’s a growth strategy for the young professionals.

The Value of a Mentor

I would say most of my development and growth as a professional has been deeply connected to ACCOSCA (the African CU trade association). I’ve been able to also be connected with a mentor and a champion in George (Ombado), who at one point as a 32-year-old with the responsibility to lead the whole continent. I had the responsibility now to lead a country that has the youngest and only female CEO, but at least I had somebody to look up to, somebody to guide me. We need to build relations and also find mentors and know that being given an opportunity doesn’t mean you know it all or you will always get it right.

So, learn that teachability attitude,  because this is a cooperative movement and there’s no way you can make it without collaboration, without cooperating.

Another Lesson

The other lesson I would share with the young professionals is don’t be afraid to step up. Age should not be a limitation until unless you believe that is a limitation yourself. That’s when it will start limiting you.

(Someone told me ) you are not a young CEO, you are CEO. I’m a leader and my age doesn’t matter at the end of the day. But the contribution, the impact and the competence that I’ve brought to the table is what matters.

Finally, serve from your heart. You’re serving people and one way to serve and to connect with people is through your heart. Be able to empathize with everyone. When we talk about diversity, equity and inclusion, it’s not just for the young people but for everyone, because credit unions are for everyone.

Q: You launched your own Young Professionals program in the U.K. Why was it important to you to create that and what advice do you have for other associations?

Norgrove: The inspiration behind the (group) was this need for a network or community. This was a brainchild of young professionals and we wanted to do (something that was) relevant to them.

We have a fantastic program. It’s having its 10th anniversary. One-hundred recipients have received a Future Scholarship this year. But there was a lot of ‘What’s next?’ Really, the what’s next was what can your career be in 30 years? The what next was will your career can be 30 years. 

This was founded by a number of professionals, so it’s really just to empower the youth of the day. It’s really focused on cooperative principles, which might be less (familiar) today. They’re not founders, they’re not lifers.

Learning Patience

In the program there is a lot of teaching about patience. We all have setbacks in our career, we’ve all made mistakes. We founded a network in which people could share not only the successful stories–those are the ones we should celebrate—but also the setbacks along the way. Maybe someone had a job interview for CEO and they didn’t quite get it. It’s all of the highs and lows.

I would say for (older leaders) you have to give them the opportunity to do it their way and if it doesn’t work, you can move forward…The big thing, really, is to create systems to empower the youth, to bridge change and to have constant progression.

Q: You’re not an employee, but affiliated as a supervisory board member. Sicredi been very successful in bringing in young people to its program. What strategy does Sicredi use to attract young professionals into the program?

Saab: When I was a teenager I wanted to become a great leader, but also help and contribute to as many people as possible. In 2018 everything started to change. I remember the first time I attended a Sicredi meeting and our credit union president was speaking to lots of young people. It inspired me. It showed me what an incredible cooperativism leader I could be. That day I raised my hand and said, ‘Oh, I want to do that. I want to be apart of that.’

So, it’s been seven years of attending meetings and getting a lot of cooperative experience…We grow a sense of belonging in Sicredi.  I thought Sicredi could help me to become a better person, a better professional, a better human being.

Way to Give Back

I’m working on the board today because it’s a way to give it back, to spread all the knowledge. They supported me until now and it’s a pleasure for me. I’m so grateful to help to transform other people’s lives, to make a difference. I want to do more for as many people as I can.

My advice for young people is to have a genuine belief in yourself. Maybe things will not be easy…but if you have a dream just grab it and go ahead.