2024 CEO Reverse Crashers Inspire

^{Read time: 2 min} 
 
The 2024 CEO Reverse Crashers added an inspirational element to this year's Young Professionals Conference. This initiative invited credit union CEOs to "crash" the event, stepping out of their daily roles to engage directly with emerging professionals. The program aimed to foster mentorship, share experiences, and inspire the next generation of credit union leaders. 

The CEO Reverse Crashers attended all general sessions, power hours, the Monday night networking reception, and the Tuesday night meetup. Their active involvement and interest in the YPs  sparked enthusiastic conversations and a sense of what’s possible about the future of the movement.

David Frazier, president/CEO of Texans Credit Union, expressed his admiration for the YPs. “I enjoyed engaging with the up-and-coming Young Professionals in the credit union movement," said Frazier. "I hope I was half as inspiring to them as they were to me; the passion and energy from this group was contagious.” 
 
The Reverse Crashers also participated in a CEO panel during the event. Two key takeaways from the panel resonated with the attendees: 

• Imposter syndrome never goes away. Despite decades of experience, the CEOs candidly shared that they still grapple with feelings of self-doubt. This honest admission reassured the YPs that such feelings are a common part of professional growth, even at the highest levels of leadership. 
  

• There is no “behind in your career path.” Jayson Sims, president/CEO of Fort Sill Federal Credit Union, emphasized that a non-traditional career path is not a disadvantage. He shared his personal journey, noting that he didn't enter the credit union industry until he was 30, yet became a CEO before turning 40. His story inspired many attendees, highlighting that success is not bound by a specific timeline. 

“Eleven years ago, I was an attendee of this conference when my credit union career began," said Sims. "I found as much benefit in attending this year as a panelist as I did in 2013. What a pleasure it was to experience the breadth of knowledge we have in our YP movement. The future of the credit union industry is in very good hands.” 
 
Pierre Cardenas, CEO of Capitol Credit Union, also shared his enthusiasm. “I enjoyed the interactions with the YPs, and I especially liked the power hours, during which we were able to discuss some very important issues affecting the credit union industry. I had a blast!”
 
The CEO Reverse Crashers' engagement at the conference provided a unique and invaluable perspective for the YPs. Their willingness to share experiences, offer mentorship, and listen to the attendees' concerns created a supportive and dynamic environment.

To learn more about the Reverse Crash and YP opportunities such as the YP Meetup: Advocacy for Young Professionals, visit Cornerstone online today.