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Home » ‘Find your why’
Leadership

‘Find your why’

Credit union philosophy drives Jason Stidham to improve members’ lives.

June 10, 2021
Jason Stidham
One Comment
Jason Stidham
Jason Stidham, Bay Federal Credit Union

I accidentally fell into the credit union movement. I started my financial career as a teller for a commercial bank right out of high school. When my position as assistant manager was eliminated due to the Great Recession, I needed a job.

I decided to apply at the credit union that was the only place to offer me—an 18-year-old, working college student—my first auto loan: Bay Federal Credit Union in Capitola, Calif.

I didn't really know what a credit union was. I just remembered them because they were the only ones to approve my loan. I started as a teller, worked my way up to management, and then joined the marketing and education team where I taught new hire orientation, trained employees, and dove into the credit union philosophy of “people helping people.”

It was so different from the environment where I worked before. Everything the credit union movement preached proved to be true: we truly exist to help our members, collaborate instead of compete with each other, and serve our communities in ways I never imagined.

I spent almost 10 years working for a commercial bank before joining Bay Federal, but I truly wish I had been with the credit union the whole time.

I have been in the credit union industry for almost 11 years, and I can't picture myself working for any other type of organization. I am aligned with the values of the movement and truly believe we are helping people and making a real difference.

‘Everything the credit union movement preached proved to be true: we truly exist to help our members.’
Jason Stidham

The credit union industry is so collaborative, and I have formed lifelong friendships and relationships with people across the country thanks to the movement. We make a real difference in our community by volunteering at events, raising awareness of causes, and collaborating with organizations to make our community a better place.

When I was honored to attend the CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference in 2020 as a Crasher, one phrase from the Crasher session truly jumped out at me: “Find your why.”

I will never forget that, and I truly live that every day. Every day I work for Bay Federal, I find my “why,” and it truly drives me to make a difference. With the credit union industry, I have found my “why.”

We in the credit union industry have a unique ability to make a real difference in the communities we serve. Our credit union makes an incredible investment in development and training.

When I would teach new hire orientation, I would tell our new employees to take full advantage of every opportunity. This is more than just a job; it's a way to make our members' day better and make our community a better place.

When I offer career advice, I use the phrase that inspired me: “Find your why, too.”

JASON STIDHAM is communications and development manager at Bay Federal Credit Union in Capitola, Calif.


CUYP
This article is part of #CUYP: Credit Union Young Professionals, CUNA News' special focus on young professionals in the credit union movement. Use the hashtag #CUYP to join the conversation on Twitter.


KEYWORDS #CUYP DEI young professionals

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