CUNA News
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • Credit Union Magazine
    • Buyers' Guide
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Edition
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Contact
  • Advertise
  • 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
  • Awards
    • Nominate Credit Union Hero
    • Nominate Credit Union Rock Star
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Jobs
  • Contact

News

Home » Navigating a path to the stars
Leadership

Navigating a path to the stars

Willis Chang’s Taiwanese roots gave him a foundation for success.

May 27, 2021
Ron Jooss
No Comments
AAPI Heritage Month profile of Willis Chang
Willis Chang, Kinecta Federal Credit Union

Willis Chang’s Asian American heritage provided an example for his success. His personal experiences taught him how embracing his strengths cultivates it.

As a college student, Chang interned in the marketing and accounting departments at a Los Angeles-area credit union, marking his first exposure to the movement’s cooperative, value-based principles.

His second experience with cooperative financial services with $5.4 billion asset Kinecta Federal Credit Union, Manhattan Beach, Calif., where he’s an enterprise architect, affected him more profoundly.

“I love the concept of people helping people,” Chang says. “Even if I’m not directly helping the member, I’m helping the people who help the member.”

He also abides by another credit union value: collaboration. “Collaboration is embedded into what I do every day.”

Chang leads Kinecta Federal’s partnership with Constellation, a credit union service organization (CUSO) providing an open digital banking platform and other services. He works with fintechs and the CUSO’s other credit union investors developing platform content and arriving at common solutions.

“Engaging with fintechs and working with other credit unions to create value is really exciting,” Chang says. “We’re building capabilities and realizing cost savings we couldn’t achieve on our own. It’s very rewarding.”

‘I’d like my children to grow up believing they can achieve the highest levels of success in whatever profession they select. They should reach for the stars.’
Willis Chang

Taiwanese roots

Chang was born in Hawaii where his parents had immigrated from Taiwan in the late ‘70s. Chang describes his parents as “very hard working” who instilled “a model minority stereotype” that provided a path for success in the U.S.

His father currently runs one of the largest Asian food distributors in Hawaii. 

That example served Willis well as he moved to the mainland to pursue college and a career. Chang describes himself as “willing and able, calm and ready to diffuse a situation, (hopefully) intelligent, well mannered.”

“Because I am a second-generation Asian American Pacific Islander, I feel like my accent-less English has helped me avoid some obstacles. All of that combined has helped cultivate a successful career within IT,” he says.

At the same time, he concedes stereotypes carry certain limitations and acknowledges the need to navigate them. 

“At some point in one’s career, certain ‘model minority’ traits need to be revisited and adapted to better fit the role while still remaining true to oneself,” Chang says. “It’s more important now than ever for Asian Americans to be seen as leaders, not just as doers. I’d like my children to grow up believing they can achieve the highest levels of success in whatever profession they select.

“They should reach for the stars.”

Chang says the recent focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion is important for credit unions because it focuses on people and, ultimately, better member service. “Kinecta’s senior IT leadership is diverse both in terms of racial and gender composition and is led by a female CIO from Canada.

“These diverse perspectives and collective experiences lead to the best solutions and outcomes,” he says. “We want our employee base and senior leadership to reflect the communities we serve to better meet their financial needs.” 

Undoubtedly, Chang’s personal and professional experiences will forge a path for his children’s future success.


KEYWORDS Asian Pacific American Heritage Month DEI

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment

Credit Union Magazine: Spring 2023

Spring 2023

Credit Union Magazine’s Spring 2023 issue features the 2023 Credit Union Heroes and examines CUNA-League advocacy priorities, board leadership, the impact of financial well-being efforts, fee-related compliance issues, predictions for the year ahead, and more.
Digital Edition •  Subscribe

Trending

  • CUNA Mascot Madness: See the West winner and vote for the South champ

  • Compliance: CUs must register with ACH Contact Registry

  • Compliance: FinCEN issues BOI reporting guidance

Tweets by CUNA_News

Polls

Mascot Madness Semifinal 2: Which mascot is your favorite?

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