The CUInsight Experience podcast: Dr. Gamaliel Hassan – Strength in people (#175)

Thank you for tuning in to episode 175 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Amazon Business. With the value and convenience of Amazon, plus innovative tools and features, purchasing leaders in credit unions can reduce costs, save time, maintain control, and efficiently scale operations. Amazon Business, the most comprehensive one-stop shop for business purchasing.

My guest on today’s show is Dr. Gamaliel Hassan, CEO of Stima Sacco in Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. Gamaliel shares his career and education journey that led him to where he is today. Stima Sacco is the second largest  SACCO in Africa. Dr. Gamaliel builds teams that directly help communities financially and continue to grow the financial services industry.

During our conversation, Dr. Gamaliel talks about different financial business models and the importance of financial education. He dives into the challenges facing SACCOs and credit unions when it comes to fintechs and how we can leverage technology to remain relevant in a digital world. He explains the importance of knowing when to decline ideas, and to focus on ones that can be implemented. Listen as we discuss educating, informing, and training employees and members to ultimately change the world.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Dr. Gamaliel talks about his view of fatherhood, his big dreams, and who he’d like to cast for his biopic. Enjoy my conversation with Dr. Gamaliel Hassan!

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher 

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List 

How to find Dr. Gamaliel:
Dr. Gamaliel Hassan, CEO of Stima Sacco
ghassan@STIMA-SACCO.COM
stima-sacco.com
Dr. Gamaliel: LinkedIn
Stima Sacco: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter 

Show notes from this episode:
A big shout-out to our friends at Amazon Business, an amazing sponsor of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Thank you!
Want to hear more from Dr. Gamaliel? Click here.
Place mentioned: Kenya
Place mentioned: Africa
Place mentioned: Nairobi, Kenya
Place mentioned: Mount Kilimanjaro
Place mentioned: Kibera
Shout-out: Dr. Gamaliel’s parents
Place mentioned: United States
Place mentioned: Europe
Place mentioned: Asia
Shout-out: Steve Jobs
Shout-out: Apple Inc.
Shout-out: The Coca-Cola Company
Shout-out: COVID-19 pandemic
Shout-out: Lois Kitsch
Shout-out: George Ombado
Shout-out: Gerry Singleton
Shout-out: Jill Nowacki
Shout-out: Caroline Willard
Education Program mentioned: International DE
Education Program mentioned: Credit Union Development Education (DE Program)
Place mentioned: Wisconsin
Place mentioned: Botswana
Shout-out: Dr. Gamaliel’s children
Place mentioned: Tanzania
Shout-out: Jill’s son
Place mentioned: Florida
Shout-out: Dwayne Johnson
Shout-out: Bob Collymore
Shout-out: Safaricom
Artist mentioned: Michael Jackson
Book mentioned: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Previous guests mentioned in this episode: George Ombado, Lois Kitsch, Gerry Singleton, Jill Nowacki (episodes 4, 18, 37, 64, 82, 101, 113, 126, 138, 148, & 161), Caroline Willard (episodes 20, 147)

In This Episode:
[00:54] – Dr. Gamaliel Hassan talks about growing up in Nairobi, Kenya.
[03:54] – Dr. Gamaliel talks about the global competition of fintechs. PART 1
[06:17] – Dr. Gamaliel talks about the global competition of fintechs. PART 2
[07:47] – Brainstorming together with the youth.
[10:28] – How do financial institutions choose the best ideas to pursue?
[13:04] – Dr. Gamaliel talks about creating a team environment where people feel they can change the status quo.
[14:45] – What does it look like to invest in financial education?
[17:34] – What did Dr. Gamaliel learn from climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro? PART 1
[20:21] – What did Dr. Gamaliel learn from climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro? PART 2
[22:35] – Dr. Gamaliel shares the certifications and programs that impacted his career path and world view.
[25:24] – How does Dr. Gamaliel approach communication with board members?
[28:05] – “Hire people who are more intelligent than you.”
[30:48] – People putting people before profits.
[32:30] – Dr. Gamaliel talks about his childhood dream and being a father.
[34:54] – “Bring a Child to Work Month”
[36:53] – Who is “successful” to Dr. Gamaliel?
[39:15] – “We can make this world a bit better than how we found it.”