The CUInsight Experience podcast: Patty Corkery – Purpose driven (#112)

Thank you for tuning in to episode 112 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by our friends at PSCU. As the nation’s premier payments CUSO, PSCU proudly supports the success of more than 1,500 credit unions.

My guest on today’s show is Patty Corkery, the recently-appointed President & CEO of the Michigan Credit Union League. In this episode, we discuss Patty’s journey from litigation attorney to league president and the leadership lessons she’s learned along the way. Patty also shares tips to help leaders think strategically and plan ahead. 

Listen in as we chat with Patty about being the first female CEO in the history of Michigan Credit Union League and one of five female league CEOs across the country. Patty shares the importance of finding community personally and professionally and steps she’s taken to build and maintain those strong relationships. She believes that the credit union motto, “People helping people,” is not just about helping members but also one another. 

Patty walks through her perspective on credit union consolidations and our unique position to successfully meet community needs at any size. She believes the credit union industry will stay relevant by embracing the rapid digital shifts and discovering more opportunities for engagement with virtual education and advocacy. 

During the rapid-fire questions we learn what Patty was like in high school and how that shaped her career path. We also chat about an interesting opportunity Patty turned down and the impact that had on her leadership style. Take a listen to find out who Patty thinks about when she hears the word success and much more. Enjoy! 

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

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List 

How to find Patty:
Patty Corkery, President & CEO of the Michigan Credit Union League
patty.corkery@mcul.org
https://www.mcul.org
LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Show notes from this episode:
A big shout-out to our friends at PSCU, an amazing sponsor of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Thank you!
Check out all that Patty and her team are doing at MCUL here.
To learn more about CUInsight’s Mini-Con Series, click here.
Shout-out: CUNA GAC
Shout-out: Dave Adams, CU Solutions Group
Shout-out: Jill Nowacki
Shout-out: Diana Dykstra, CCUL
Shout-out: Caroline Willard, Cornerstone League
Shout-out: Debbie Painter, KYCUL
Shout-out: Tracie Kenyon, MCUN
Shout-out: Jenny Blake
Book mentioned: Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One by Jenny Blake
Shout-out: Zoom
Shout-out: Patty’s daughter
Shout-out: Women Credit Union Leaders in Michigan
Shout-out: CUNA’s Hill Hike
Place mentioned: Washington, DC
Shout-out: Bank of America
Shout-out: Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chase
Shout-out: Amazon
Shout-out: Apple
Shout-out: Randy’s mom
Shout-out: Patty’s dad
Shout-out: Chuck Holzman
Shout-out: Patty’s brother
Shout-out: Patty’s special someone
Shout-out: Ben & Jerry’s
Shout-out: Randy’s sister
Shout-out: MCUL’s DEI Team
Shout-out: Peloton
Book mentioned: Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Book mentioned: Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
Album mentioned: The River by Bruce Springsteen
Album mentioned: Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen
Album mentioned: Purple Rain by Prince and the Revolution
Previous guests mentioned in this episode: Jenny Blake, Debbie Painter, Caroline Willard, Diana Dykstra, Dave Adams, Tracey Kenyon, Jill Nowacki (episodes 4, 18, 37, 64, 82 & 101) 

In This Episode:
[01:58] – Patty, welcome to the show!
[03:44] – Patty speaks about being one of five women who are CEO of leagues.
[05:07] – Patty shares some hacks for thinking strategically while putting out fires.
[07:56] – Who do you surround yourself with? Who has helped you along the way?
[10:15] – Patty discusses what she envisions for the credit unions of Michigan and the Michigan Credit Union League.
[12:50] – Patty shares how valuable virtual learning is and how they will strategically incorporate it in the future.
[14:13] – How do you make sure you are purpose-driven personally and professionally.
[17:20] – Patty speaks about what she believes the credit union industry can do better.
[19:47] – Patty stumbled into credit unions after quitting her job at a law office, but she knew she wanted to go into law.
[21:57] – The people, especially the people in the collections department, kept Patty in the credit union industry.
[23:45] – Patty shares her inspiration to become the President and CEO of the Michigan Credit Union League.
[25:44] – Patty asks many questions, and her team is comfortable with her casual nature.
[27:16] – Patty discusses a leadership myth that makes her skin crawl.
[29:19] – What do you do when you aren’t working to recharge?
[30:57] – Patty said no to working at a larger law firm and is so glad she didn’t take it.
[33:01] – Patty talks about what she was like in high school and when she got into memorable trouble.
[34:17] – Is there a book you think everyone should read?
[35:08] – What is the greatest album of all time?
[36:15] – Brene Brown is someone she thinks about when she hears the word success.
[39:16] – Patty shares some final thoughts.
[40:43] – Thank you for being on the show!