The CUInsight Experience podcast: Lucy Ito – Organizational interest (#96)

Thank you for tuning in to episode 96 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Trellance transforming data into actionable insight for credit unions from coast to coast.

My guest on today’s show is Lucy Ito, the President, and CEO of NASCUS, The National Associate of State Credit Union Supervisors. We talk about credit unions and the relationship with regulators because of Lucy’s interesting seat at the table and perspective on it all. She brings leaders together from both sides and has them at the same table. We talk about leadership lessons learned, staying connected in remote environments, and even Lucy’s quest to make the perfect granola.

Lucy shares how her team has maintained and enhanced their camaraderie in the virtual setting and how she has grown as a leader during the pandemic. She also discusses the nuances of leadership and remote onboarding while navigating through changes in credit union regulations in a global crisis. Lucy believes that credit unions have to adjust to consumers’ expectations to stay competitive in financial services. Lucy shares what she will be proud her team has accomplished a year from now.

When asked about leadership, Lucy shares what inspired her to take the position at NASCUS and how that inspiration has changed with gained experiences. Lucy believes that she has a collaborative leadership style, but she is also hands-off with her team allowing them to develop their decision-making skills. Lucy loves to cook when she has time to relax and recharge, and she has taken time in the last few months to perfect her granola recipe.

We finish up with the rapid-fire questions, and we learn that Lucy wanted to be a Supreme Court Justice when she grew up and listening to NPR every morning keeps her informed. Time with family has become more important, and worrying about what people think has become less. Enjoy my conversation with Lucy Ito!

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher 

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List 

How to find Lucy:
Lucy Ito, the President and CEO of NASCUS 
lito@nascus.org
www.nascus.org
LinkedIn

Show notes from this episode:
A big shout-out to our friends at Trellance, an amazing sponsor of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Thank you!
Check out all the outstanding work that Lucy and her team at NASCUS are doing here.
Shout-out: Dave Chatfield
Shout-out: Bill Cheney
Shout-out: Lauren Culp
Shout-out: Diana Dykstra
Shout-out: Lucy’s husband
Shout-out: Jill Nowacki
Shout-out: Lynette Smith
Shout-out: James Wileman
Shout out: World Council of Credit Unions
Shout out: California/Nevada Credit Union League
Album mentioned: The Crane Wife by The Decemberists
Book mentioned: The Cuisine of California by Diane Rossen Worthington
Book mentioned: The Nursery Crimes Series by Jasper Fforde
Previous guests mentioned in this episode: James Wileman, Bill Cheney, Lauren Culp, Diana Dykstra, Lynette Smith, Jill Nowacki (episodes 4, 18, 37, 64 & 82) 

In This Episode:
[01:43] – Welcome to the show, Lucy!
[02:23] – Lucy shares how she stays connected with her team working remotely.
[04:28] – Listen as Lucy speaks about how she has grown as a leader during the pandemic.
[06:45] – Lucy discusses what concerns are on the mind of state regulators around this crisis.
[08:58] – Are there big changes in the way credit unions are serving the members?
[10:10] – Lucy believes that credit unions have to adjust to consumers’ expectations to stay competitive in financial services.
[13:33] – In a year, what will you be proud that your team at NASCUS has accomplished?
[16:10] – Lucy shares what inspired her to take the job as President and CEO of NASCUS.
[18:10] – Has the inspiration changed with time on the job?
[20:42] – Lucy believes that her leadership style is collaborative and hands-off with her team.
[21:40] – Family first is what her team has heard her say over and over.
[22:29] – Lucy says that she always could make hard decisions. She always puts the organization’s wishes above her own.
[23:06] – A single leader doesn’t have all the answers!
[23:58] – Lucy says that a mistake she sees new leaders make is trying to be self-sufficient.
[24:43] – A piece of advice she has received and uses all the time is to do the right thing, even if no one is looking.
[25:30] – How has your mentor network helped you in your career?
[27:13] – Lucy likes to cook to relax and recharge.
[28:59] – Listen as Lucy shares how she was in high school.
[29:42] – Lucy wanted to be a supreme court justice when she grew up.
[31:10] – Listening to NPR every morning is one of her morning routines.
[31:33] – What is the best album of all time?
[32:26] – What is the book you have gifted more than any other?
[33:51] – Time with family has become more important, and worry about what other people think has become less important.
[34:30] – Lucy shares some final thoughts with the listeners.
[35:16] – Thank you for being on the show!