Skip to main content
The CUInsight Experience

The CUInsight Experience podcast: Cathie Mahon – Empower communities (#199)

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

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!




How to find Cathie

Cathie Mahon

Cathie Mahon

Inclusiv

A big shout-out to our friends at Humanidei, an amazing sponsor of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Thank you!
Shout-out: Self-Help Credit Union
Place mentioned: Durham, NC
Place mentioned: Los Angeles, CA
History mentioned: L.A. Riots
Place mentioned: New York City
Shout-out: New York City Office of Financial Empowerment
Shout-out: George Ombado
Place mentioned: Kenya
Shout-out: SACCA Congress
Place mentioned: Washington, D.C.
Shout-out: CDFI Program
Shout-out: EPA
Shout-out: Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
Shout-out: Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
Shout-out: Solar for All
Shout-out: Clean Communities Investment Accelerator
Shout-out: National Clean Investment Fund
Shout-out: Pollution Prevention Act
Shout-out: Inclusiv’s initiatives
Place mentioned: Africa
Shout-out: Warren Buffet
Shout-out: Dale Carnegie
Shout-out: Meryl Streep
Shout-out: Malcolm Gladwell
Book mentioned: Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering by Malcolm Gladwell
Book mentioned:
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
Previous appearance mentioned in this episode: Cathie Mahon (#77), George Ombado

[1:09] – Cathie began her credit union journey over 30 years ago
[3:14] – The SACCA Congress highlighted the global scale and potential influence of credit unions.
[6:54] – Inclusiv aims to guide credit unions to tap into underserved markets for growth.
[10:03] – Cathie explains how the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund aids clean energy projects in communities.
[14:05] – Credit unions aim to reduce members’ energy costs and enhance financial resilience.
[17:17] – Inclusiv launched a $1.87 billion grant program to support green lending in credit unions.
[21:00] – Cathie discusses how the grant ensures environmental loans reach low-income, disadvantaged communities effectively.
[24:58] – Inclusiv has bolstered team infrastructure to support growing programs and strategic focus.
[30:57] – Cathie defines what makes a good leader.
[32:49] – We learn how Inclusiv pursued tech solutions for scaling credit unions but discovered that smaller steps are needed.
[35:37] – Effective communication and teamwork are very important during significant organizational transitions.
[38:39] – Cathie adds that credit unions hold key potential for addressing social and economic challenges with new resources.
[40:32] – Balancing work and life is challenging, but Cathie cherishes building community via work.
[41:19] – What’s the best piece of advice that Cathie ever received?
[42:26] – Malcolm Gladwell’s insights on social psychology and communication deeply resonate with Cathie.
[43:38] – Visit inclusiv.org for updated information on the greenhouse gas reduction fund!