While my gray hair is in full bloom, I remain one of the younger professionals that frequents credit union boardrooms. Board members and executives often remark on my youth—relating my age to their children or even grandchildren. After the playful banter subsides, many genuinely wonder how so many young professionals on the Gallagher Executive Benefits team exhibit such depth of knowledge and confidence. The answer can be summed up in one word: Mentorship.
Across every profession, accomplished individuals often point to a pivotal influence—someone who invested in them, shared knowledge, and created opportunities without expecting anything in return. Our firm is the poster child for these actions. Yes, thoughtful succession planning, increasing demand, and strategic infrastructure investments have all contributed to our decades of growth, but it is the shared, unspoken rule to lean in and support one another that is the bedrock of our long-term success. That influence stems directly from the example set by our founders.
Mentorship is a fundamental catalyst behind every successful transition. Nowhere is this more evident than in the credit union industry today. The movement is at a pivotal inflection point, as many of the leaders who have shaped it for decades approach retirement. According to survey data, more than half of executives and board members are approaching or in the final stretch. While succession planning and retention strategies play a critical role in any transition, no succession is complete without intentional mentorship.
This strong belief comes from personal experience. My life was forever changed by a mentor when I crossed paths with Rich Brock. He saw potential in me that I had not yet recognized. It was Rich who helped me discover the mantra that drives all my decisions in business (and beyond), “Do the right thing, always!” There is no better way to repay that favor than continuing the tradition in the lives of my team members.
The future of credit unions will not be determined solely by strategy or technology. It will be shaped by leaders who are willing to invest in others, share what they have learned, and leave the next generation better prepared than those before them.
Each of us has something meaningful to offer to those who are just beginning the journey. I challenge all leaders to pay it forward and bring true succession planning to life. Find an up-and-coming colleague and assist him or her in reaching their potential. As this force continues to multiply, succession pressures lessen, positioning the credit union industry for even greater strength in the years ahead.
Consulting and insurance brokerage services to be provided by Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc. and/or its affiliate Gallagher Benefit Services (Canada) Group Inc. Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc., a non-investment firm and subsidiary of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., is a licensed insurance agency that does business in California as “Gallagher Benefit Services of California Insurance Services” and in Massachusetts as “Gallagher Benefit Insurance Services.”
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