EXECUTIVE SPOTLIGHT Q: What led you to the credit union industry, and to State Department Federal Credit Union (SDFCU)? A: I needed a job! I studied accounting in college, passed my CPA and had been working in public accounting. In 1988, I took a short break and left the workforce to join my husband who was working for the Department of State in Lagos, Nigeria. When we came back to the U.S. two years later, I found work as a CFO with the United States Federal Credit Union and fell in love with the industry. In 2003, SDFCU’s retiring CEO encouraged me to apply to be his successor. It was a match made in heaven. Q: With your upcoming retirement, what are some of the leadership lessons you’ve learned over the past 23 years serving as CEO? How do you lead an engaged team? A: Successful leaders believe team members bring their best every day which makes it easier to show compassion and find solutions when things go wrong. They are engaged listeners, collaborative by nature, and believe the best solution appears when you bring all stakeholders to the table. They never forget the Board of Directors is in charge, viewing them as trusted allies. They express gratitude for the privilege of being the CEO and use words like “I love this” more often than criticism. JAN ROCHE President and CEO of State Department Federal Credit Union Q: How does SDFCU give back to the communities and members it serves? A: SDFCU partners with the Department of State on several initiatives. We support the Foreign Service Youth Foundation through a $5,000 donation and sponsorship of an annual art contest. We award $100,000 in college scholarships. We sponsor fundraisers for the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training as well the Diplomatic Security Foundation. In 2022, we held 124 financial educational seminars with more than 2,000 members in attendance or in remote sessions with them at their overseas posting. Along with other credit unions and system partners, we sponsor Credit Union Miracle Day, Inc. events that have donated $10.8 million to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. We host a matching-gift program for our members to support eight food charities. We support the Alexandria, VA Chamber of Commerce Professional Women’s Network. We also sponsor Filene’s Center of Excellence for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Q: What advice do you have for other executives also trying to lead their teams through an evolving industry and uncertain economic environment? A: You do not have to know all the answers, but you must be able to ask the right questions and communicate the solutions throughout your organization. Economic cycles tend to repeat themselves. If you haven’t been a leader through any particular economic cycle, talk to an executive who has. Getting out of the office (to attend meetings like NAFCU’s Annual Conference) is a terrific way to build a professional network and gain industry insights. Be as transparent as possible, admit what you do not know and lean on industry partners as well as “Successful leaders believe team members bring their best every day which makes it easier to show compassion and find solutions when things go wrong. They are engaged listeners, collaborative by nature, and believe the best solution appears when you bring all stakeholders to the table.” 36 THE NAFCU JOURNAL July–August 2023
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