Insights on Risk, Leadership & Operational Excellence

How to design systems that reduce risk, support integrity, and protect everyone involved.

The strategic plan is approved. Now the execution risk begins. Here are four enterprise risk management moves that help credit unions deliver on the plan.

The NCUA is no longer assigning risk ratings or using reputation risk in exams. Here’s why that shift matters, and why risk ownership still belongs with the credit union.

First, let’s clear things up. The NCUA still officially supports the automated cybersecurity evaluation toolbox (ACET), but the Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (CAT) it was built on was sunset at the end of August 2025. So why the change? Simply put, the ACET couldn’t keep up. When it was introduced in 2015, it served a purpose, but it quickly became an "enormous beast" that was difficult to untangle. Meanwhile, other frameworks kept adapting to modern threats like cyber supply

Most internal projects aren’t rejected because they’re bad ideas. They’re rejected because they’re bad pitches. Use this communication and risk management framework to sell business impact, not features.

Employee stress is a measurable business risk. Learn how employee risk management reframes burnout from an HR issue to a financial, operational, and strategic threat, with a practical playbook to act.

Root cause analysis helps teams stop fixing symptoms and start solving real problems. Learn the 5 Whys method to improve operations and prevent repeat issues.

AI is already in the workplace. Learn a practical approach to AI implementation for credit unions: employee training, safe experimentation, governance, and policy.

A new soccer club, a Ted Lasso moment, and one question: what if we brought real purpose to risk work? Here’s how to strengthen risk management culture through ownership, communication, and momentum.

A Big Bend off-road challenge became an unexpected lesson in personal resilience. Here’s what fear, focus, and follow-through taught me on Black Gap Road.

What is your professional image, really? A “walk-up song” is a surprisingly useful way to think about how you show up, build trust, and protect your personal brand.

Constructive feedback is one of the most undervalued leadership skills. Here’s why it matters in credit union leadership and how to build a feedback culture.

A loud Seattle Sounders match and a quiet FC Dallas game sparked a reminder: business continuity management is a culture shift. Here’s how to build buy-in when the stadium is silent.

A trip to Germany and a medieval punishment device sparked a modern lesson: strong compliance culture isn’t fear-based. It’s clarity, training, and tools.

I moved from Chief Risk Officer to COO–an identity shift as much as a job shift. Here’s what career management during change looked like for me, plus the pros, cons, and lessons.

An agile methodology retrospective isn’t about blame. It’s about learning. Here’s how to run retrospectives that drive real improvement across projects, incidents, and operations.

Accountability doesn’t come from consequences alone. Organizational change management works best when people understand the “why,” see their role, and hold themselves accountable.

Agile methodology isn’t just for software teams. Here’s how Agile principles help risk leaders build buy-in, improve processes iteratively, and support better decisions.

Wondering how to improve risk culture when progress feels slow? Celebrate small wins that prove the message is landing, and build momentum your team can sustain.

Remote teams drift fast. Stand up agile keeps people aligned, surfaces blockers early, and creates daily connection in just 15 minutes.