Age: 43

Number of years at current credit union: One month
 
Educational background: Bachelor of Science from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa; Executive Education in Digital Marketing, Analytics & AI from Northwestern University, Fintech from Harvard University and Artificial Intelligence from Cornell University
 
CU Times: What are your key responsibilities in your current role?

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

Hennessy: I am what’s called a credit union boomerang. I worked for a credit union, left to work in banking, and returned to the credit union industry!

I was the Chief Innovation & Marketing Officer at a credit union, now $4 billion in assets, modernizing and transforming the member experience, including oversight of data, digital, product and marketing teams. I left the credit union industry to be a Group Chief Information Officer, leading an information technology division responsible for innovation and transforming the consumer experience for a $30 billion-asset national bank. I was then named the Senior Vice President, leading all consumer marketing in the U.S. and Canada for the nation’s largest fintech mortgage originator, Rocket Companies. My responsibilities included leading marketing for Rocket Mortgage, Rocket Loans, Rocket Homes, Rocket Auto and Rocket Solar. During this time, I realized I missed the collaborative culture and unwavering dedication to members in the credit union industry. I am elated to bring my wealth of experience and knowledge to PSECU to serve my teammates and our members.

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

Hennessy: I have a truly unique skill set, having successfully led multiple disciplines at the executive level that shape the member experience: Information technology, data, marketing, sales, product and digital. You rarely find someone in sales or marketing who also ran technology or launched an enterprise data function. My financial services industry experience is also varied, from credit unions and banks to fintechs, ranging in size from start-up, regional and most recently, the nation’s largest mortgage originator, demonstrating my adaptability and resilience in scaling transformation at any level. I excel by driving collaboration in serving members. Coupling that passion with my expertise from technology to brand, the transformative Chief Member Experience role at PSECU is an exciting new challenge and a great fit.
 
CU Times: Which person (or people) do you credit the most for helping and supporting you along your career journey?

Hennessy: I am fortunate to have had many mentors, both formal and informal, throughout my career. I am known for building exceptional teams and coaching leaders from great to amazing. My success can be credited to surrounding myself with those amazing people, giving them the necessary resources and celebrating their successes.
 
CU Times: How would you describe your current leadership style?

Hennessy: My leadership style combines authenticity with accountability. I truly care about each and every human that I lead. I firmly believe that diverse individuals who bring their full selves to work every day make for the most successful teams. The secret sauce for creating high-performing and engaged teams is empowering diverse and authentic humans to achieve, learn and grow.

CU Times: What are some lessons you've learned over your career concerning how to communicate well with others? And, do you approach communication differently depending on the generation of the recipient (boomer, Gen X, millennial and Gen Z)? 

Hennessy: I have found that we sometimes miss the most important part of communication: Listening. We focus so much on what to say or how to say it that we forget to listen and really hear what others have to share. Effective communication is about being curious, first and foremost. This resonates with every generation: We all want to be heard, respected and celebrated.

CU Times: What are some ways in which you achieve work/life balance, set boundaries and/or avoid burnout at work?

Hennessy: In my experience, finding a role that brings you joy and a work/life balance comes naturally. In my short time here at PSECU, I have already witnessed joy in the employees and leaders I’ve met. They have passion for members, know that their work makes a real impact and respect each other for their differences.

Burnout happens when you are in a role with little joy or do not understand how you make an impact. It is not necessarily the number of hours worked in a day or week. This isn’t to say that things should be perfect all the time. But if you learn from your leader and feel supported, understand how what you do has a larger impact on members and the organization, and work side by side with people you respect, it is hard to burn out because you want to work; it is no longer having to work. Achieving a work/life balance is about loving what you do, enjoying who you do it with and understanding why you are all there together.
 
CU Times: What’s next for you on your executive career journey? Do you have any specific career goals you’re working toward?

Hennessy: My career journey has been about learning and growing. As I am new to PSECU, I look forward to getting to know the team here, the members and our community partners. Pennsylvania is a beautiful place with a deep history and an exciting future. For me, understanding how our brand and member experience can resonate with our current and future members is a welcomed challenge, and I can only do that through collaboration with my peers on the Executive Leadership Team, my outstanding MX (Member Experience) team, and the rest of the beautiful people I’ve met at PSECU who have passion for helping our members achieve more. My goal is to learn and grow, and I know that will be the case here at PSECU!
 
CU Times: What big-picture impact do you hope to make within your credit union, as well as for your members and community? 
 
Hennessy: On a wall in PSECU’s headquarters is the story of our organization’s humble but powerful beginning. The very first sentence states, “In 1934, twenty-two ordinary people decided to do something extraordinary …” I hope to inspire every person at PSECU to believe that they can do something extraordinary every day. We can take up the banner of those who founded this wonderful organization so many years ago and bring that vibrancy and hopefulness to our work each day.

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

Hennessy: Life is abundant, and every day is a new beginning. Don’t dim your light for others; shine brightly wherever you are.

Would you or someone you know like to share your journey to credit union leadership? Please reach out to Natasha Chilingerian at [email protected]. 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.