To Jakubczyk, every technology decision has the ability to limit or enhance an institution's functionality – and something that's bigger and better with more features and options isn't always the answer. Before launching into the bells and whistles, every IT department should evaluate whether a solution adds complexity or makes life easier for the credit union's team and members, he said, adding that asking the right questions and listening is key. He noted IT exists to provide support for the teams across the organization that serve the membership, so any tech projects developed at a credit union should focus on overcoming challenges and helping staff advance their professional and organizational goals.

While the credit union rolled out some 600 projects over the past few years, Jakubczyk said many other great ideas never came to fruition – and he was OK with that. Following his gut and giving himself permission to search for different solutions, even if he suffers setbacks along the way, is something he has always believed in and practiced fully while participating in the Filene Research Institute's i3 program. Being immersed in innovation-based methodology and working under a six-month turnaround time on deliverables taught him how to produce results quickly without dwelling on the analysis paralysis that can prevent new projects from getting off the ground.

"Don't over think or over analyze," he said. "Gather enough data and input across the organization to make an informed decision. If you are where you need to be, have a plan in place, then act. Give yourself permission to come back to it rather than being paralyzed by waiting for perfection."

He said Elevations CU is a learning organization, so pushing boundaries and collaborating to deliver solutions is simply part of the credit union's DNA; staffers know if they try something new, they'll learn from their mistakes or setbacks – not be punished for them. When it comes to recruiting top talent, he said it's important to never underestimate the value of creating an environment where individuals are allowed and expected to take ideas and "play in the sandbox" with them.

"I think best practices is an overused term," Jakubczyk said. "We as an industry spend way too much time copying each other. With our cooperative spirit, we'd be better served exploring opportunities to collaborate and improve upon existing concepts, products or services to deliver greater value to our members. When you look at innovations made by Venmo or Square, I think there are too many potential great ideas within this industry to be unleashed for us to just mimic one another."

The credit union's IT department made a shift in its processes when it had to tackle a full replacement of its core system, which had a fragmented system integration that was neither scalable nor easy to maintain, and ultimately offered little value. The new system marked a shift in Elevations CU's operations and helped establish a more automated, dynamic environment. With the new system, employees also learned how different departments work together, and felt empowered to use shared information to create a more educated sales culture.

Working off a solid, scalable core system foundation, the credit union has been able to expand its retail footprint and leverage the new technology to develop member-centric marketing and sales strategies. Since a significant number of Elevations CU's members mainly interact with the credit union online, it wanted to provide an exceptional e-commerce model that would be both user-friendly and customizable. Inspired by companies such as Amazon and Zappos, the team established an online and mobile experience in which every department works together to provide specific, valuable information to each member, such as student loan advice, wealth and trust management, and auto loan history.

Elevations CU also makes the most of Student Rush by engaging college-aged students – it sends 3,000 to 4,000 students through the account opening process live on college campuses every year during rush week and other events. Staffers work with students on-site using iPads and can present them with credit cards within 30 minutes. Jakubczyk has also revamped the process to eliminate the exchange of paper, making the entire process digital.

During Jakubczyk's eight years at the credit union, Elevations CU has thrived. According to the NCUA's Financial Performance Report Ratio Analysis ending in June 2015, the credit union boasted an ROA of 1.08, net worth growth of 11.82 and loan growth of 20.36 compared to its peer averages of .83, 8.34 and 9.96, respectively. In addition, Elevations CU was the first credit union to be honored with the 2014 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

Organization-wide accomplishments have only spurred everyone at the credit union to find new ways to evolve and provide more member solutions based on a better understanding of consumer behavior.

Jakubczyk advised young professionals to keep asking for opportunities and think about solutions.

"My biggest task was to lead the tech team and help others unleash their potential," he said. "Ask not only to take on more responsibility but also be sure to state what you will do with that opportunity."