Business Partner- Brand & Reputation: Commercial Real Estate, Commercial Markets, Business Solutions, Syndication, and Independent Business Banking Teams

connectFirst Credit Union (Calgary) (March 2022 – Current)

​

Accomplishments: 

​

• In the fall of 2023, I developed Funding Futures which is a new pilot initiative that will help unlock potential for small business in Alberta to have access to the capital needed to support innovative frameworks. With three areas of focus for the initiative - Agri-Tech, Energy Transition and Social Impact - each sector will see $10,000 ($30,000 in total) awarded to a small business that is helping drive innovation and impact in our local communities. The three key objective driving this initiative are; 

  • Position connectFirst as a Centre of Excellence for Small Business Banking through a strategic approach that has annual growth opportunity.

  • Grow connectFirst small business portfolio in key emerging sectors within our province; Agri-Tech, energy transition and social impact.

  • Deepen and develop strategic relationships with key industry catalysts, such as post-secondary institutions and think tanks, to help drive economic growth in Alberta.

• Spearheaded an initiative during Small Business Week 2022 that fostered engagement among cFCU staff, members, and the business communities in the Calgary, Red Deer, and Medicine Hat regions. Partnered with local Chambers to connect the cFCU brand with over 1000 in-person attendees, secured 12 thought leadership opportunities, and witnessed a remarkable 1050% increase in staff event engagement. Achieved a significant 40% boost in Business account openings in October, gained 82 new corporate social media followers, and achieved an impressive 81% open rate for the targeted e-newsletter. Efforts resulted in 263 new user visits to the website and garnered 682 visitors to the activation appointment booking page. For more info, please visit --> Small Business Week Strategy. 

• Identify strategic initiatives that can be optimized to provide the organization with maximum opportunities, with a particular focus on benefiting the lines of business. Developed a corporate hosting strategy that improved efficiency and streamlined the management of significant annual spend and distribution process. Saved the company $87.5K in 2023.

 

Key responsibilities:

​

• Act as primary advisor to leaders within the business banking divisions, developing a deep knowledge of the leaders, their people & their business. Build effective partnership with these leaders and work collaboratively to determine the best approach to their business challenges.

• Provide direct support to leaders within a business team, thinking critically to position enterprise frameworks, and structuring to promote consistency of practice. Take into account the broader organizational implications when devising suggested measures at the local level.

• Understand line of business needs, and deliver proactive solutions to increase member retention, share of wallet and acquisition opportunities.

• Develop and executes an annual plan for the line of business, with clear market research, brand strategy, content needs and timelines, which integrates into the larger Brand & Community strategy.

• Drive the commercial strategic partnerships portfolio including sponsorships and donations. 

• Supports the creation and coordination of specific line of business merchandising needs, communications and marketing materials, in collaboration with the Brand & Community team.

• Manages a budget, invoices and tracking, in collaboration with the Project Manager, Brand & Community

• Collaborates with the full Brand & Community Team to ensure collaboration and alignment with content, timelines and objectives.

• Represents the organization at events and on various related committees across the divisions.

 

Featured skills:

​

• Proven experience in executing successful and measurable brand strategies

• Customer Service or Account Management experience is considered an asset.

• Experience and knowledge in working in the field sponsorship, events and community investments.

• Excellent customer service orientation.

• Excellent writer, presenter and overall communicator.

• Excellent critical thinking and analytical skills.

• Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills.

• Strong presentation and public speaking skills.

​

​

connectFirst Credit Union and Servus Credit Union Merger Activity

​

Small Business Week 2024: Managed partnerships for both the connectFirst and Servus brands for Small BUsiness Week. This included: 

• Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Award Sponsor for the Servus brand 

• Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce, Presenting Sponsor for the Servus brand 

• Okotoks Chamber of Commerce, Presenting Sponsor for the connectFirst brand 

​

Supported activities for the member voting process of the merger including ordering branded merchandise, coordinating community visits to help support member vote and supported with voting the day of the merger vote.