Your Neighborhood Credit Union is celebrating International Women’s Day by announcing the appointment of Lara Stilin as YNCU’s Chief Financial Officer as of January 18, 2021. Stilin, 32, is the youngest individual to hold the position of CFO in the history of the credit union. YNCU, built as the result of many mergers with credit unions whose histories stretch back to the 1940s, is now one of the largest credit unions serving communities across Ontario.
YNCU’s new CFO is a chartered accountant and financial expert who brings a wealth of knowledge to the organization. A Sault Ste. Marie native and Algoma University alumni, Stilin expanded her portfolio in roles at KPMG and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. After years of experience in auditing, financial management and strategy and company performance, she joins YNCU with a proven track record of success. With a passion for the credit union industry, Stilin is looking forward to this new opportunity and driving YNCU’s passion to keep its members at the heart of its operations through innovative and convenient solutions, smart advice and community connections.
“It’s very simple to get behind YNCU’s vision. The vision is a member-focused, member-owned financial institution where the only goal is creating a great, sustainable institution for its members,” says Stilin. “Supporting this industry feels natural, and it aligns with my dedication to the communities we serve.”
Newly appointed CEO Gord Harrison is pleased to have Stilin moving into the CFO role as a strong role model for women in the organization, as well as in the local communities YNCU serves.
“Leading by example is key. It’s one thing to know opportunities are available to you, but it’s another to see yourself in your leader,” says Harrison. “YNCU is committed to not only moving the needle on equality within its organization, but empowering employees to be agents of change within their communities.”
Stilin joins a team of young and talented financial experts who utilize innovative solutions to help their members achieve financial success, many of them identifying as women. This March, in alignment with International Women’s Day, all YNCU staff were invited to nominate an outstanding woman leader within the organization. To celebrate these individuals, YNCU plans to feature their profiles across social media. Nominees include Aimee Wagner, Vice President of Member Services, for her ability to empower her colleagues to become better leaders themselves, and Cindy Fish, VP, Member Support and Payment Services, for her industry aptitude and strategic approach to her work. The organization recognizes the importance of celebrating women this International Women’s day and beyond, as does Stilin.
“By the time I started my career there was a fair bit of diversity between men and women in the field. That hasn’t always been the case, but the landscape is changing,” Stilin notes. “It’s all the more reason to support people at all stages of their career. A diverse workforce across all levels, across all industries, benefits us all and it’s our job to steward that.”
Like many starting new roles amidst the pandemic, Stilin notes the challenges of remote work and the importance of building human-centric, caring relationships as a leader. YNCU is currently looking for an individual passionate for community building and teamwork to join its team as the Accounting Manager in the Sault Ste. Marie or Kitchener locations. For more information please visit www.yncu.com/careers.
