It’s only been since January 1 that I began my new role as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sharonview, yet it’s a role for which I’ve been preparing for quite some time. The last few years have been particularly influential in leading me toward this position, providing many opportunities to demonstrate leadership and display the character of this incredible organization. To say I am excited to begin 2023 with you would be an understatement; I am thrilled, humbled, and truly honored to lead this company.

I’ve been with Sharonview since 2017 and I can say firsthand that relationships are at the core of everything we do. From the people who work behind the scenes to the frontline team members at our branches, everything we do is for you. As a not-for-profit organization, we have that responsibility—to put you first over profit and I’m committed to continuing that tradition as we move forward.

Supporting the communities in which we live and work is a huge part of the credit union philosophy. Relevant and valuable engagement with our communities will eventually lead to a deeper understanding of and more fulfilling relationships with our members. I want to invest in our local communities with grassroots campaigns that give back through our time, funds, financial literacy, and more. It is only by serving our communities and the people in them that we can establish trust.

This means meeting you where you’re at in life. Our membership of over 100,000 spans generations and that means we must adapt in order to continue offering products and services that are valuable. I want to know what’s meaningful to you and find ways to deliver on those needs.

Understandably, technology is a large part of that. The financial landscape is being transformed by the emergence of digital-only organizations, also called FinTech, offering to move and manage your money. Technology must be a regular focus for our credit union, and we will leverage it to best suit your needs. At the end of the day, I want you to be free to live your life as you see fit—not spend hours on tedious financial “chores.”

How else can we do this? Through education and inspiration. Our collaborative approaches inside the company should result in enhancements to your life. There is no silver bullet to achieving this. There are no shortcuts to creating good financial habits. We can do this by consistent demonstrated interest in your financial well-being, encouraging you to save smarter, budget better, and think toward the future.

I want to get back to basics at Sharonview. I want to take time to examine our strengths and weaknesses, solve problems efficiently, and strategize for growth on all levels. This requires authenticity, belief, and a desire to achieve on a team level. I believe we can do it, and I hope you do, too. At the end of the day, we’re still a financial institution, but we can be one that makes a difference.

I look forward to spending this year and many years to come with you. It is my goal to be accessible, open, and honest with our membership and I welcome opportunities to speak with you.