The latest from John Pembroke

Oct 27, 2020 - by John Pembroke, CUES

Solid online learning promotes diversity

As the only credit union organization dedicated solely to talent development, CUES has spent 2020 doubling down on its understanding of how to best offer online learning events and programs. ...

Oct 6, 2020 - by John Pembroke, CUES

Help your team win with learning this month

Eddie Robinson is recognized by many experts as one of the greatest college football coaches in history. After a 56-year career, he retired in 1997 with a record of 408-165-15. ...

Sep 3, 2020 - by John Pembroke, CUES

Professional networking in this increasingly digital age

During the African American Credit Union Coalition’s recent virtual event, a panelist in the session, “Leadership in Times of Crisis,” aptly said: “If I didn’t understand the power ...

Jul 30, 2020 - by John Pembroke, CUES

Learning for the long haul of this pandemic

Many people thought the pandemic’s disruption would be short-lived. When many credit unions closed their branches this spring, few dreamed that reopening them would happen at a time when ...

Jul 7, 2020 - by John Pembroke, CUES

Your best reopening play is upping your game

In response to the pandemic, the National Basketball Association, Major League Soccer and other leagues have announced plans to create enclosed campuses where their players, coaches and staff members will ...

Jun 11, 2020 - by John Pembroke, CUES

The NFL, the war for talent, and COVID-19

Hearing the bad economic news of our nation’s high unemployment rate, credit unions might be tempted to think that no one is hiring or developing talent during the current ...

May 1, 2020 - by John Pembroke, CUES

Reflection questions for building a great post-pandemic world

When this pandemic is over, credit unions will have experienced—and done—a lot of new things. My sincere hope is that credit union leaders will use the positive things ...

Mar 25, 2020 - by John Pembroke, CUES

Tips for supporting newly remote workers

In these uncertain times, CUES and credit unions have a new thing in common. We have more staff members working more hours remotely than ever before. CUES has a long ...

John Pembroke

CUES

Web: www.cues.org

As president/CEO of CUES, John Pembroke came full circle in his career. His first exposure to business was a high school internship working in his father’s church credit union. He developed a deep connection to the impact credit unions make on their members’ lives. That experience and being raised by parents with advanced degrees taught him to value education, faith, relationships, and personal growth.

These values, combined with a progressive mindset, a desire to innovate, and an entrepreneurial spirit, were central to John’s success, allowing him to build a unique brand. Known for driving organizational growth and profitability, he leveraged his diverse business skills, relationship-building expertise, and leadership ability at PSCU, Cox Enterprises, Kellogg, Kraft Foods, and Procter & Gamble.

Under John’s leadership, CUES membership tripled, member loyalty increased, new and innovative talent development offerings were developed and launched, and the financial condition of the organization was improved. Also, CUES came to be viewed as an industry thought leader in talent development and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). In addition, he worked with his board to evolve its governance efforts and make DEI a priority throughout the entire organization.

One of John’s favorite quotes is by Greek philosopher Heraclitus: “Change is the only constant in life.” He lived by this maxim, consistently embracing opportunities to improve himself, his life, and the lives of others. For more than 25 years, he led companies with the same enthusiasm and was a trailblazer in the financial services, technology, consumer products, media, and non-profit industries.

John held a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. in Marketing and Policy Studies from the Booth School of Business of the University of Chicago.

Whether watching sports, traveling, spending time with friends and family or enjoying listening to new music—which was something he did every Friday—John considered having fun vital to a full life. He will be missed.