Instead of sitting on the sidelines and waiting for change to happen, young professionals need to advocate on their own behalf.

In the process, they’ll develop the skills they need to become the future leaders of the credit union movement.

Phil Kadzielawski, product development specialist at $3.1 billion asset Coastal Federal Credit Union in Raleigh, N.C., and CUNA’s 2018 Emerging Leader Award winner, does just that.

As president of the Carolinas Credit Union League’s Tarheel Chapter of Credit Unions, former finalist in the league’s CUaware Protégé Competition, and co-host of the CUaware Podcast, Kadzielawski advocates for professional development and networking opportunities for young professionals in the Carolinas.

“We can’t just sit around and hope someone else will influence change on our behalf,” says Kadzielawski. “It’s important to stand up and do that. There are people out there who are the movement’s future leaders.”

In this episode of the CUNA News Podcast, Kadzielawski talks about leadership, how young professionals can find leadership opportunities, the leadership lessons he’s learned, and more.

CUNA presents the Emerging Leader Award each year at the Emerging Leader Institute, an educational event that helps credit union leaders develop effective management techniques.

This year’s event will be held Dec. 2-4 in San Diego.

You can listen and subscribe to the CUNA News Podcast in Apple’s iTunes Store, Google Play, and Stitcher Radio.