'Fail, but Fail Fast and Move Forward,' CU SVP Advises Her Younger Self

Name: Amanda Kutzler

Credit union: Premier Members Credit Union ($1.7 billion, Boulder, Colo.)

Title: SVP Consumer Retail Banking

Age: 50

Number of years at current credit union: 12

Educational background: Bachelor’s degree in business management; Mountain West Credit Union Association – Credit Union Leadership Institute

CU Times: What are your key responsibilities in your current role?

Kutzler: I have the privilege of overseeing the contact center and retail branches. I work with the marketing department on all deposit and loan products, promotions and pricing to drive our membership growth initiative, the facilities department on expanding our geographic footprint, and our IT department on new technology and digital initiatives. In addition, I work with the training department and member operations on processes and procedures to ensure the safety and soundness of the credit union.

CU Times: What drew you to the credit union industry?

Kutzler: People helping people. I have a true passion for helping others. Many companies say they are service oriented or customer focused, but credit unions genuinely put the needs of their members first. I find the credit union movement and culture to be inspirational.

CU Times: What unique skills, experience and attributes do you bring to your role?

Kutzler: I have worn many hats throughout my career. I began as a part-time teller and worked my way up to the position of branch manager. I’ve worked in underwriting, business development and even a short stint in the mortgage department. I understand what it takes from the employee’s perspective to do the job. I’m a ‘people-first’ leader. It’s not just something I say, I live it. If they need me in a branch for support, I’m happy to visit. If a teller needs help, I’ll work alongside them. If I work hard for my team, they will work hard for the members.

CU Times: Which person (or people) do you credit the most for helping and supporting you along your career journey?

Kutzler: My family has always been my biggest champions. They made sacrifices when I changed companies or positions, and encouraged me when faced with difficult decisions. They are my core, and I wouldn’t have accomplished as much as I have without them. I have also been very fortunate to work with some amazing leaders who believed in me, took the time to coach and mentor me, and challenged me to excel along the way.

CU Times: What are some of the biggest differences between working in your current executive level role and your previous, non-executive roles?

Kutzler: Meetings, a lot of meetings. Kidding aside, knowledge and being in the know is huge. Understanding more of the strategic long-term plans and goals has helped me move my teams in the right direction and hold them accountable. I can hear and see more of the ‘why,’ ‘when’ and ‘how,’ which I didn’t get exposed to before. Being able to be a part of the bigger picture and offer my perspective on how to make a difference to improve the credit union on a higher level is very important to me.

CU Times: What’s a challenge you faced when you first joined your executive team, and how did you overcome it?

Kutzler: Finding balance was a challenge. I was very used to being in the weeds and knowing every detail in every branch and with all the employees. Letting some of that go was a struggle. I have a wonderful team, and they have been great at keeping me informed of what’s going on and when I need to get involved.

CU Times: How would you describe your current leadership style?

Kutzler: I would say I am a mixture of a servant leader and an affiliative leader. I try to see things from the perspective of others and find the positive in every situation. No two people are the same, which is important when coaching and leading others. What works for one may not work for another.

CU Times: Do you approach your job any differently now compared to how you did pre-pandemic? If yes, how so?

Kutzler: The only thing that has really changed is being more aware of the mental health of the employees and making sure they have work-life balance.

CU Times: What’s next for you on your executive career journey? Do you have any specific career goals you’re working toward?

Kutzler: I absolutely love what I do, where I work and the employees I work for. I am always up for a challenge, but right now, I want to focus on being a better version of myself every day and making a difference in my current role.

CU Times: What big-picture impact do you hope to make within your credit union, as well as for your members and community?

Kutzler: Within the credit union, I hope to help others develop and grow in their careers, while supporting a collaborative and positive culture that welcomes feedback and allows every voice to be heard. I am passionate about what I do and want to share that with others. As far as the members and community are concerned, I hope to increase awareness around the benefits credit union membership has to offer. It baffles me that more people don’t belong to a credit union. I enjoy talking about the credit union difference and helping others see the advantages of membership.

CU Times: What career advice would you give your younger self?

Kutzler: Be courageous and believe in yourself. I was a branch manager for over 20 years because I had a fear of failing. I’ve recently learned it’s OK to fail, but fail fast and move forward to find success.

Would you or someone you know like to share your journey to credit union leadership? Please reach out to Natasha Chilingerian at nchilingerian@cutimes.com. To qualify, the individual must be a part of a credit union’s leadership team or C-suite, and have a compelling story to share about their rise to their current leadership role.