Leadership

The Board of Directors entrusts the leadership team to manage the day to day operation of the Credit Union and deliver on the strategic direction of the Organization. The senior leadership team is made up of seven professionals who are also leaders within our communities.

Current Leadership Team

Shelley McDade

Shelley McDade, MBA Chief Executive Officer

"Enriching lives on the Sunshine Coast is the cornerstone of our leadership, and drives every decision we make."

Shelley is a leader of collaboration in the Canadian credit union system. Her passion for the cooperative business model drives her to lead a variety of collaborative initiatives that create value for members locally, provincially and nationally. She is committed to creating a future for credit unions that ensures the next generations of members have strong, healthy credit unions serving their communities and enriching their lives. Shelley has been recognized nationally and internationally for her work to advance the collaborative movement. A firm believer in the value of mentorship, she is an active mentor of emerging and experienced leaders across and outside the credit union system. Shelley is an Accredited Director, and serves on the boards of Central 1 Credit Union, the Risk Management Alliance, Back Office Collaborative, and CUSO Wealth Services Inc.

Dawn Bezaire

Dawn Bezaire, CPA, CGA Chief Financial Officer

"As well as supporting its employees in achieving their career aspirations, the Credit Union supports its members and our community in many ways that make me proud to work here."

Dawn joined SCCU upon graduating from Saint Mary’s University with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (specializing in accounting) in 1993. Beginning as a teller, Dawn gained experience in progressively more senior roles with the Credit Union and continued in her professional development, obtaining her CGA designation in 1997. Today as CFO, Dawn is an integral part of the organization’s leadership team, as well as serving as the management resource to the SCCU Audit Committee. Aligned with the organization’s approach to community support, Dawn is also active in her community, having served on the Board of the Sunshine Coast Minor Hockey as Registrar from 2012 to 2016, as a member of the advisory committee for the Progress Plan from 2012 to 2014; a three-year initiative aimed at enhancing women’s financial well-being on the Coast. Dawn currently sits on the Self Employed Women’s Network Board (SEWN) as Secretary. Dawn fervently believes that the Sunshine Coast is a great community within which she and her husband are raising two active sons, and that the Sunshine Coast Credit Union is an integral part of that community.

Rick Cooney

Rick Cooney Chief Credit and Risk Officer

"When members, community and Sunshine Coast Credit Union all work together, it’s a triple win. Members’ financial health improves. Your credit union becomes co-operatively stronger. And our community thrives. Together, we can achieve more."

Rick has over 40 years of financial services experience, more than half of which is with Sunshine Coast Credit Union. He joined SCCU in 1993 as Manager of the Sechelt branch, became Manager of Operations and Development in 2007, and is currently Chief Credit and Risk Officer. He serves on the SCCU Investment and Lending Committee, and on the steering committee of the Risk Management Alliance, a group of nine B.C. credit unions collaborating together to solve regulatory risk issues. Rick feels a strong personal need to help others achieve a better life, and can think of no better way than by mentoring employees, and providing sound advice to members. He is also committed to making his community a better place, helping businesses start up, grow and create jobs, which attracts more people to the Sunshine Coast. A big community supporter, Rick has volunteered with organizations such as the Festival of the Written Arts, Rotary, Community Futures Development Corporation, local Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development Committees.

September Dixon

September Dixon Chief Member and People Officer

"My passion lies in supporting the growth of leadership and collaboration, ultimately leading to a rewarding experience for our members."

September is passionate about collaboration, and believes that building collaborative strength in both Sunshine Coast Credit Union and the credit union system is the key to enriching the member experience. Her commitment to excellence and passion for delivering an exceptional experience to our members and employees is reflective in all she does. September takes pride in the role Sunshine Coast Credit Union has played in building our community, and is focused on ensuring the sustainability of credit unions for the generations of credit union members – and credit union leaders – to come. September serves on the program Advisory committee at the BC Institute of Technology for the Sustainable Business Leadership program, and is the Chair of the Human Resources work stream as part of the Credit Union Systems Back Office Collaborative initiative.

Jodi Fichtner

Jodi Fichtner, BBA VP, Marketing

“I feel fortunate to be part of an organization that enriches lives. By sharing financial information and knowledge, we help empower people to make great money decisions every day.”

Part of a family that has been on the Coast for many generations, Jodi has been working in marketing for twenty years, joining SCCU in 2008 as VP, Marketing. Her goal is to elevate the brand in the community, so that everyone knows that their choice on where they bank, truly matters. She welcomes the opportunity to engage in community development as a way to strengthen both the community, and the Credit Union’s presence. A proponent of financial literacy, Jodi played a key role in launching the organization’s financial literacy initiatives. Serving as chair of the SCCU Community Enrichment Committee which provides funding to local non-profit organizations in support of their work in the community, she is also an active volunteer with the Sunshine Coast Literacy Coalition.

Rick Marz

Rick Marz VP, Member Experience and Sales

"As financial products and investment tools continue to evolve, our job is to help our members take advantage of every opportunity to protect and enhance their financial well-being. Needs based advice, tailored products and attention to your details."

Rick has worked in the Credit Union system for the past 22 years with the majority of his years of service in Central Alberta. Beginning his career as a teller, Rick has gained considerable experience through progressively more senior roles such as Financial Advisor, Mutual Fund specialist, Branch Manager, and Member Sales and Services Manager before joining SCCU in 2017 as Director Member Experience and Sales. His professional development has gone beyond his credit union family to include involvement in community programs such as the Central Alberta Leadership Networks program and various leadership development, coaching, and facilitation programs. Over the years Rick has volunteered with organizations such as the Lacombe Chamber of Commerce, Optimist Club of Red Deer, and Economic Development Committees as well as several years as Head coach or Assistant coach in Minor Hockey and Minor Ringette. After many years on the prairies, Rick and his wife are very honoured to join the community on the Coast.

Alex Kostenko

Alex Kostenko BA, Director of Strategy & Innovation

"Sunshine Coast Credit Union is more than a financiail institution - it's a pillar of our community. I am proud to be a part of a team that enriches lives on the Sunshine Coast every day."

Alex joined SCCU in 2014 after completing her Bachelor of Arts at Simon Fraser University. As Director of Strategy & Innovation, Alex aligns the organization around its core strategies, and facilitates a culture of innovation excellence. Alex also serves the Conduct Review Committee as a management resource. She strongly believes our people are the future and makes a positive impact by serving as Chair of BC Young Leaders, helping enrich, engage, and inspire young leaders with skills and development that will grow and strengthen the BC Credit Union system. A firm believer in lifelong learning, Alex is currently completing her Masters of Business Administration.

 

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