The CUInsight Experience podcast: Monica Belz – Cultural abundance (#173)

Thank you for tuning in to episode 173 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 Monica Belz, President & CEO at Kaua’i Federal Credit Union. Monica shares her passion and commitment to humanitarianism, which inspired her involvement with credit unions. The team at Kaua’i Federal Credit Union is rooted in their culture and works to rebuild communities to ensure the wealth and wellness of future generations. Monica believes credit unions are uniquely positioned to positively impact the world.

During our conversation, Monica explains how ancestral wisdom and current cultural trends can create and impact change. She shares the value in advocating for local and global communities, interconnecting them, and her experience sharing and receiving, “aloha.” Monica discusses the importance of and insights to driving economic and social change. Listen as we discuss the strategies behind building resilient communities and regenerative economies.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Monica talks about visiting Japan and being amazed by her eldest child, diving deep into doughnut economics, and who her “shero” is . Enjoy my conversation with Monica Belz!

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher 

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List 

How to find Monica:
Monica Belz, President & CEO Kaua’i Federal Credit Union
Monica@kauaicreditunion.org
kauaicreditunion.org
Monica: LinkedIn
Kaua’i FCU: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

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 Monica? Click here.
Place mentioned: Hawaii
Place mentioned: Botswana
Shout-out: Millennials
Place mentioned: Polynesia
Shout-out: Monica’s grandparents
Place mentioned: Russia
Place mentioned: El Salvador
Shout-out: Mel Chiba
Education Program mentioned: Credit Union Development Education (DE Program)
Shout-out: WOCCU
Place mentioned: Puerto Rico
Shout-out: Thunderbird School of Global Management
Shout-out: Monica’s children
Place mentioned: Kenya
Shout-out: ACCOSCA
Shout-out: Jill Nowacki
Shout-out: George Ombado
Shout-out: Kate Raworth
Shout-out: Kate Raworth TED Talk
Shout-out: Brent Dixon
Shout-out: Mahina Paishon-Duarte 
Shout-out: ʻĀina Aloha Economic Future
Shout out: 2023 Hawaii Wildfires (Maui Wildfires)
Shout-out: Malama Huleia
Shout-out: Gen Z
Shout-out: Boomers
Shout-out: Generation X
Historic event mentioned: COVID-19 pandemic
Shout-out: BECU
Shout-out: Tongass Federal Credit Union
Place mentioned: Kenya
Shout-out: Mount Kenya
Shout-out: Lois Kitsch
Shout-out: Mt. Kilimanjaro
Shout-out: Monica’s sister
Shout-out: Randy’s mom
Place mentioned: Kyoto, Japan
Shout-out: Avatar
Shout-out: Zoe Saldana
Shout-out: Monica’s mom
Book mentioned: Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth
Book mentioned: Citizens: Why the Key to Fixing Everything is All of Us by Jon Alexander
Previous guests mentioned in this episode: Monica Belz, Jill Nowacki (episodes 4, 18, 37, 64, 82, 101, 113, 126, 138, 148, & 161),  George Ombado, Lois Kitsch, Todd Harper

In This Episode:
[00:46] – Monica Belz recalls traveling the world and helping in disaster relief efforts.
[03:30] – Why is community important to Monica?
[05:45] – Monica talks about contributing locally and globally. PART 1
[07:41] – Monica talks about contributing locally and globally. PART 2
[10:14] – What is Monica most excited for these days?
[12:43] – Monica talks about thriving communities through economics.
[14:27] – Go back before going forward.
[17:11] – A unique place with a potent culture.
[20:02] – What is Monica’s advice for aspiring CEOs?
[22:58] – How does Monica foster collaboration in teams? PART 1
[24:58] – How does Monica foster collaboration in teams? PART 2
[27:51] – Recognizing the abundance of the land. PART 1
[29:11] – Recognizing the abundance of the land. PART 2
[31:07] – What does empowerment look like to Monica?
[33:50] – Monica recalls the trip to Mt. Kilimanjaro. Did she make the climb?
[36:26] – Monica says she was amazed at something her eldest child did for her while visiting Japan.
[38:41] – What book does Monica recommend?
[41:07] – Thank you Monica, and thank you for listening!