CUNA News
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • Topics
    • Community Service
    • Compliance
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Credit Union System
    • Directors
    • Human Resources
    • Leadership
    • Lending
    • Marketing
    • Operations
    • Policy & Issues
    • Sales & Service
    • Technology
  • Credit Union Magazine
    • Buyers' Guide
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Edition
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Awards
    • Nominate Credit Union Hero
    • Nominate Credit Union Rock Star
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Jobs
  • Contact

News

Home » A simple strategy for success
Human Resources CU Rock Stars 2018

A simple strategy for success

Stephanie DeGrand says the key is having positive interactions with employees.

October 1, 2018
No Comments
Stephanie DeGrand

Stephanie DeGrand has a simple strategy for human resource (HR) success. She puts herself in her employee’s shoes, and that makes all the difference.

Co-workers describe DeGrand, a human resources specialist for $1.4 billion asset Capital Credit Union in Green Bay, Wis., as positive, passionate, and supportive.

DeGrand always has had a tendency to view situations from multiple perspectives. Often teased about making valid points on both sides of an argument, DeGrand has relied on this ability to diffuse difficult situations with employees and build trust across all of the departments in her role.

“I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, the ones who intentionally manipulate a situation can make it harder to trust people,” DeGrand says.

Always committed to improving the lives of her coworkers, DeGrand started Capital’s wellness plan three years ago. Under the supervision of another team member, the program has grown to more than 90% employee engagement. DeGrand has leveraged the plan’s success to negotiate lower medical insurance rate increases two years in a row.

‘It’s worth so much more to have built a positive relationship with that employee.’

“She immersed herself into the details of the plan so that she would be able to help other employees,” says Patti Bani, chief culture officer at Capital. “It’s Stephanie’s attitude that makes her a rock star.”

DeGrand says she finds meaning in helping employees through personal issues.

“Whether it’s battling with a medical insurance issue or helping a supervisor with a tense situation at their branch, I love that I have the opportunity to pay it forward to honor the people who have done the same for me in my life,” she says.

DeGrand’s currently creating a database of employee feedback, using exit interviews, transfer interviews, and survey results to track trends and employee experiences at Capital.

She goes above and beyond to ensure each employee interaction is a positive experience.

“At the end of the day, it’s worth so much more to have built a positive relationship with that employee than it is to have a clean desk,” DeGrand says. “It’s such a great feeling to be proud of where you work.”

Meet the 2018 Credit Union Rock Stars

KEYWORDS Credit Union Rock Stars

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment

Credit Union Magazine: Winter 2022

Winter 2022

Credit Union Magazine’s Winter 2022 issue highlights data-driven marketing, the board’s role in cybersecurity, elder abuse scams, credit unions’ auto lending advantage, and more.
Digital Edition •  Subscribe

Trending

  • Reps introduce bipartisan Credit Union Board Modernization Act

  • Compliance: Experts analyze NCUA’s 2023 supervisory priorities

  • CFPB must convene SBREFA panel for credit card fee rulemaking

Tweets by CUNA_News

Polls

How do you feel about the economy in 2023?

View Results
More

Champion for the Credit Union Movement

Credit Union National Association is the most influential financial services trade association and the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America's credit unions. We work tirelessly to protect your best interests in Washington and all 50 states. We fuel your professional growth at every level and champion the credit union story at every turn.

More CUNA

  • Membership
  • Contact Us
  • Careers

Resources for

  • Credit Union Advocates
  • Leagues
  • Press
  • Providers

Our Affiliates

  • American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL)
  • Credit Union Awareness
  • Credit Union House
  • CUNA Strategic Services
  • National Credit Union Foundation
GET CUNA UPDATES
© 2023 Credit Union National Association | ADA Compliance Notice & Legal
Email Us