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The CUInsight Experience

The CUInsight Experience podcast: Jill and Randy – Human-centric (#200)

“Stay authentic to your path.” - Jill Nowacki

Jill and Randy graphic card

Thank you for tuning in to episode 200 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com.

My guest on today’s show is Jill Nowacki, President and CEO of Humanidei. As we celebrate our milestone of 200 episodes, Jill and I reflect on 2024 (and her becoming co-host in 2025). We discuss the changing human expectations, pace of change, and transformational change within credit unions in 2024. As we look to the future, we explore the critical role vision plays in strategic planning.

During our conversation, Jill discusses how the shifting dynamics of the workforce are increasingly shaped by the need to prioritize human expectations. She talks about the common traits among thriving credit unions and what makes a resilient leadership team. Jill advises listeners to take a moment to celebrate the wins and lessons learned in 2024.

As we wrap up the show, Jill talks about becoming the co-host of the podcast, the topics she’s looking forward to discussing, and her dream guest for the podcast. She also talks about her favorite Christmas movie and who she thinks about when she hears the word “success”.

With Jill joining next season as co-host, we welcome fresh energy and insightful dialogues, so here's to what lies ahead. Enjoy my latest conversation with Jill Nowacki!


How to find Jill

Jill Nowacki

Jill Nowacki

Humanidei

Jill Nowacki started her career with credit unions in 2001. She has taken on leadership roles at credit unions and state and national trade associations. Now, she uses her experience and passion as President/CEO of Humanidei, a human capital strategies firm committed to building inclusive workplaces that attract, develop, and retain today’s top talent. Through consulting, coaching, and recruitment powered by Humanidei’s executive search division, O’Rourke & Associates, Humanidei helps credit unions win the war for executive and volunteer talent. ...

Jill has also worked in communication and advocacy for Montana’s Credit Unions; for CUNA as Executive Director of Credit Union House; as VP-Development at Maps Credit Union in Salem, Oregon, where she was also the founding Executive Director of the Maps Community Foundation. From 2013 to 2019, Jill served as the President/CEO of the Credit Union League of Connecticut.

As always, what a great interview with Jill! Want to hear more from her? Click here.
Shout-out: George Hofheimer
Shout-out: Tracie Kenyon
Shout-out: Humanedge
Shout-out: big.bright.minds. 2024
Shout-out: John Pembroke
Shout-out: Sekou Bermiss
Shout-out: CUInsight Mini-Con
Shout-out: Robbie Young
Shout-out: Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
Shout-out: Harrison Assessments
Shout-out: Adam Grant
Shout-out: Barack Obama
Shout-out: Constitution of the United States
Shout-out: Coursera
Shout-out: Everything DiSC Certification
Shout-out: Love Actually
Shout-out: Mike Valentine
Shout-out: BCU
Shout-out: Herb Wegner Memorial Awards
Shout-out: Brian Schools
Shout-out: Oprah Winfrey
Shout-out: Carrie Hunt
Shout-out: America’s Credit Unions
Book mentioned: The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday
Book mentioned: Radical Respect by Kim Scott
Book mentioned: Radical Candor by Kim Scott
Previous guests mentioned in this episode: Jill Nowacki (episodes 4, 18, 37, 64, 82, 101, 113, 126, 138, 148, 161, 177 & 190), George Hofheimer, Tracie Kenyon, John Pembroke, Sekou Bermiss, Mike Valentine, Brian Schools

[03:03] – In 2024, credit unions have faced rapid changes, balancing growth, strategic mergers, and human expectations.
[05:30] – Meeting both employee and consumer expectations is vital to fostering genuine, human-centric partnerships.
[07:29] – Jill discusses the importance of prioritizing employees.
[10:27] – Overcoming challenges requires envisioning success, identifying obstacles, and securing resources to succeed.
[13:51] – Leaders should prioritize purpose and adaptability when planning in today’s fast-paced, uncertain world.
[14:28] – Jill argues that budgeting should align with a clear vision, fostering harmony and advancing credit union goals.
[16:57] – Resilience, including emotional intelligence, is important for navigating change and challenges.
[19:23] – It’s important to analyze pitfalls but still move forward.
[20:15] – Jill’s word for 2025 is “peace,” focusing on harmony and peace of mind.
[23:45] – Aligning human-centric operations with strategic plans supports both employees and members during uncertainty.
[25:55] – Jill encourages celebrating accomplishments, even small ones, and taking a moment to reflect before rushing into 2025.
[28:45] – Jill looks forward to discussing emerging workplace issues in 2025, especially regarding mental health.
[32:35] – It’s important to stay authentic to one’s path, especially in leadership roles.
[34:12] – Jill is reading holiday romcoms and planning to dive into Radical Respect by Kim Scott.
[36:13] – Jill praises Mike Valentine for his authenticity, warmth, and successful career in the credit union industry.
[41:22] – Jill looks forward to becoming a co-host on the next season of the podcast.

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