Massey Henry is pleased to support Kindred Credit Union (“Kindred”) with the recruitment for a Chief Executive Officer. Kindred is a member-owned financial cooperative based in Southwestern Ontario. Kindred’s values-centred approach is woven into everything the organization does, making it the one-of-a-kind choice for those who want to connect their values and faith with their finances.
About Kindred
Kindred Credit Union (“Kindred”) is a member-owned financial cooperative based in Southwestern Ontario. Kindred’s values-centred approach is woven into everything they do, making them the one-of-a-kind choice for those who want to connect their values and faith with their finances.
Kindred offers a complete range of banking, borrowing, and investing products and services through eight branches and online. Members benefit from access to over 43,000 surcharge-free ATMs through THE EXCHANGE® Network in Canada and the Allpoint Network in the US.
Kindred was founded in 1964 and is rooted in the founders’ radical vision to see mutual aid put into faithful practice. Its core values of integrity, compassion, and stewardship continue to shape the organization today.
Kindred Today
From modest beginnings, Kindred has grown to over $2B in assets under administration and provides everyday banking services to over 27,000 members. As of December 31, 2023, Kindred is the 11th largest credit union in Ontario and the 32nd largest in Canada. As the marketplace has changed, Kindred has adapted and continues to adapt, with their foundation and values remaining strong.
Kindred approaches banking with a forward-thinking mentality, proactively investing in the future to ensure the organization is prepared to serve its growing membership and impact its growing communities.
Kindred’s Purpose
Kindred’s Purpose is cooperative banking that connects values and faith with finances, inspiring peaceful, just, and prosperous communities.
Core Values
Kindred operates in accordance with a strong set of core values that are key to what makes it a values-centered financial institution, namely:
- Integrity means we strive to align our words and actions with our values at all times. We hold ourselves accountable to keep promises and follow through on commitments. When a mistake happens, we make it right. We strive to do the right thing in the right way for the right reasons.
- Compassion guides how we relate to each other and our communities, when it’s easy and when it’s not. We start with empathy, grace, and a deep appreciation for the equal value of each person, while also encouraging each other’s growth. Our mutual wellbeing depends on caring for one another in community where everyone is welcome.
- Stewardship acknowledges that all we have has been entrusted to us and we are called to be wise with the money, time, and other resources in our care. We will be a trustworthy expert our members can rely on to do what’s in their best interest and that of our credit union.
Seven Financial Cooperative Principles
As a credit union, Kindred shares the seven cooperative principles that have been in place for more than one hundred years, including:
- Voluntary and Open Membership
- Democratic Member Control
- Member Economic Participation
- Autonomy and Independence
- Education, Training, and Information
- Cooperation Among Cooperatives
- Concern for Community
Please visit the International Cooperative Alliance website for more information about the Seven Cooperative Principles.
Services
Kindred offers a range of financial services to interested members seeking an alternative to traditional banking institutions. Leveraging unparalleled customer experience, the opportunity to engage in values-centered banking, and the ability to become both a member and an owner, Kindred offers its members a full suite of banking products and services, including:
- Everyday Banking
- Loans
- Buying a home
- Investing
- Planning and Advice
- Business Banking
Governance Structure
Kindred’s leadership consists of three groups: the Board of Directors, the Senior Leadership Team, and the Council of Members. These teams work closely together to ensure the continuing success and sound governance of the credit union.
- The Board of Directors establishes Kindred’s strategic direction, monitors the overall strength and financial performance of the organization, assesses the satisfaction of members, and ensures the credit union continues to be an engaging employer.
- The Senior Leadership Team provides strategic oversight and direction, developing, and managing strategies necessary to attain the credit union’s goals and objectives.
- The Council of Members works closely with the Governance Committee of the Board, ensuring integrity in the recruitment of Directors to serve on the Board on behalf of the Membership.
Social Responsibility
Kindred is committed to focusing their resources on what is good for the benefit of their members and the community at large.
- In 2016, Kindred became the first financial institution in Canada to have all their GICs validated as Socially Responsible Investments (SRI), and the credit union continues to implement a rigorous review process to ensure their members’ money is invested in companies that fit their values to build a more economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable world.
- In 2023, Kindred’s SRI GIC’s grew by $125.7M, with $64.1M in total deposit growth.
Community Involvement
Kindred’s purpose is lived out through its members and in community with the congregations and charitable organizations that they support financially and volunteer with. Kindred strives to make a positive impact in the communities they serve by pledging to tangible impacts, including monetary contributions, programs, and events, in three key focus areas:
- Financial Empowerment: Empowering members through access to literacy and capability building, as well as programs and products to aid them in navigating the Canadian financial system.
- Community Food Security: Engaging with different partners to improve access to healthy food and contribute to the development of a sustainable food system.
- Safe and Affordable Housing: Building partnerships to advance the availability of affordable housing.
Kindred gave $650,000 in charitable giving on behalf of its members, in 2023.
The Kindred Charitable Fund Committee approved $100,000 in grants for 2024, and more than $1.57 million since 1999. A total of 205 groups have benefited from these grants, which have impacted people and communities across Ontario.
The Opportunity
The Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) reports to the Board of Directors and is primarily responsible for providing strategic direction and leadership, ensuring that senior management translates and operationalizes the broader organizational strategy into sound business plans while clearly articulating the purpose of the organization among its team, members, various constituencies, and stakeholders.
The CEO is responsible for effectively integrating and coordinating various functions, including liaising with industry partners, suppliers, competitors, regulatory authorities, and professional societies, and acting as a representative of the credit union. The CEO ensures sound financial management and business growth and an effective system of communication throughout the credit union.
Key Functions
The CEO is accountable to the Board of Directors for the successful performance of the credit union by completing the following key job functions:
- Lead the organization in the planning, development, implementation, and management of strategies necessary to attain Kindred’s goals and objectives.
- As a visionary, represent and promote the purpose and values of the credit union within the ever-changing sector of Ontario Financial Institutions.
- Promote a culture around management and decision making that reflects Kindred’s values while building its financial and operational strength.
- Ensure organizational compliance both with policies and Board of Director mandates, as well as within the laws and regulations governing credit unions.
Reporting Lines and Teams
The CEO works closely with and reports to the Board of Directors. All day-to-day management performed by the CEO is supported through the involvement of ten direct reports, including seven members of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and the Director, Internal Audit, Corporate Secretary, and Executive Assistant rounding out the team.
The SLT is a talented and passionate group that is committed to Kindred’s strategy as they bring their many years of experience to their roles each day. This group is comprised of the following roles:
- Chief Finance and Compliance Officer
- Chief Technology and Innovation Officer
- Vice-President, Credit Risk
- Vice-President, Engagement and Values
- Vice-President, Agriculture and Commercial Banking
- Vice-President, Member Relationships
- Vice-President, Strategy Development and Delivery
Current Priorities at Kindred
As part of the onboarding process, priorities, and challenges congruent with Kindred’s strategic plans will be set in collaboration with the incoming CEO. The following three categories outline priorities for the CEO given the challenges facing credit unions and recognizing potential areas for improvement within the organization.
Internal Operating Considerations
- Motivate the organization to continue to develop enterprise agility. This includes leveraging best practices for planning, agile project management, and lean process improvement, allowing Kindred to accelerate opportunities for revenue growth without adding undue costs and/or resources.
External Operating Considerations
- Increase Kindred’s brand exposure. Grow awareness of Kindred’s unique and distinct value proposition and brand to continue driving the organization’s accelerated pace of growth within the credit union sector.
- Diversify lending and revenue streams. Reduce the risk of loan concentration while expanding Kindred’s profitability and impact by seizing opportunities to expand into new/growing sectors and increasing service offerings.
- Develop a business strategy which mitigates risks and captures opportunities around credit union partnerships and consolidation in the market.
Strategic Positioning
- Understand and embrace the current Strategic Plan for 2025. Manage operations proactively and accurately measure and report on Kindred’s results against the 2025 Strategic Pan. Develop the strategic plan beyond 2025 in collaboration with the SLT and Board of Directors.
- Advocate for, and advance, Credit Unions within the community and larger bank sector. Member-owned banking is underrepresented in the Canadian banking sector and provides an extraordinary opportunity for people to connect to their communities while generating bank profits which are returned to members.
The Individual
The CEO brings extensive experience at the executive level within a financial institution environment and an ability to build and maintain trusted relationships and balance a diverse set of expectations. Serving as a key representative of the credit union, the CEO will possess the expertise and gravitas to function as a leading spokesperson for a diverse set of stakeholders, while championing a collaborative, team-oriented, management style focused on consensus-building.
The CEO possesses a strong community presence and shares Kindred’s values. Recognized for their exceptional relationship management capabilities and articulate and engaging communication style, the CEO is a perceptive and proactive leader with financial and business acumen, developed through their career or academics.
Key Qualifications
Technical Skills and Experience
- Excellent communication and board-level presentation skills, including both written and oral, and an ability to effectively manage communications with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Exceptional leadership skills, with an emphasis on team building and engagement.
- A proven track record of success leading personal and business banking in a service-oriented and member-centric environment.
- Financial and business acumen developed through career and/or academics.
- Technological awareness and understanding of the role information technology will play in the changing financial ecosystem.
- Robust understanding of digital transformation processes as it relates to a credit union environment.
- Strong customer-centric focus to strategy, and the ability to develop and implement strategies according to evolving client needs.
- Knowledge of sound corporate governance and management principles, and regulatory policies and best practices.
- Board experience considered an asset.
Education
- MBA or other graduate-level degree or designation (required).
Personal Attributes and Cultural Fit
- Visionary, with an ability to motivate others through a shared, clear vision.
- Understanding, appreciation, and commitment to the Kindred purpose and values.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills – recognizing people as the most important asset and an understanding of the direct linkage between successful people strategies and practices and bottom-line results.
- Articulate and engaging communicator and exceptional listener with a people-focused management style.
- Collaborative team player, with a can-do attitude, willingness to consider others’ opinions, orientation toward constructively resolving conflicts, and a focus on adding value.
- Strong consensus-building skills – able to effectively develop resolutions when navigating conflicts.
- Actively engaged in community initiatives and possessing a strong community presence.
- Highly self-aware and adept at exercising political and cultural awareness and sensitivity.