Profile: Bradley McEachern, Rosenort Credit Union
Bradley McEachern
Chief Lending Officer, Rosenort Credit Union
Career:
Start in the credit union system: 2010
Bradley wasn’t sure what direction to take after high school. He decided to pursue a Business Administration diploma at Red River College, but his career path remained uncertain – until 2010, when he was offered a position as a Member Service Representative at Access Credit Union in Morris Manitoba.
Bradley recalls being quite shy in those early days, but was fortunate to be taken under the wing of an incredible group of women who mentored him and helped build his confidence. This experience gave him a deep appreciation for supportive team cultures.
Bradley later advanced into an Account Manager role, and in 2013, transitioned to Rosenort Credit Union. He spent several years as an Account Manager before being promoted to Loans Manager in 2017.
Today, Bradley is the Chief Lending Officer at Rosenort Credit Union, responsible for overseeing all lending operations. His journey has taken him from learning the basics at the counter to managing the strategic lending direction of the organization.
Bradley is a firm believer that the cooperative system is a great place to build a career, and fifteen years later, he is grateful for the opportunity that first set him on this path.
A typical day:
While every day looks a little different, Bradley’s team is always an important priority. He makes a point to stay connected with them daily – whether providing guidance on complex lending decisions or simply checking in on them personally.
In addition, a large portion of his time is dedicated to governance, including preparing board reports and collaborating with regulators and auditors.
Equally central to Bradley’s role is maintaining strong connections with the credit union’s membership and ensuring member needs are met. “At the end of the day, everything we do is about serving them,” Bradley says.
Continuous learning and improvement:
Bradley lives by the philosophy that growth only happens when you step out of your comfort zone, so he always has a “reach goal” on his calendar.
Professionally, he is currently enrolled in the Cooperative Management program at St. Mary’s University to deepen his technical understanding of the industry.
He also challenges himself personally to avoid stagnation. Last year, he signed up for his first triathlon despite not knowing how to swim – spending the winter in lessons to prepare. He also joined a “Dads Dance Group”, learning a choreographed routine to a Will Smith mashup and performing in front of 800 people. For Bradley, the willingness to be a beginner and to learn something new directly informs his approach to leadership.
Keys to success:
Bradley attributes his success to the fact that he’s always been part of a strong team. Growing up, he played competitive hockey and baseball, and being in leadership roles on those teams taught him early on that you cannot win alone.
He’s been fortunate to have incredible coaches who modeled what good leadership looks like, and a supportive wife who encourages him to take on new challenges. Having that strong support system – both professionally and personally – gives him the confidence to push himself and lead others effectively.
Recommended reading (or other resources) for young leaders:
Bradley cites Planet Money and Freakonomics as his go-to podcasts – engaging resources that not only entertain but also offer a compelling look at how the global economy shapes everyday life and decision-making.
Closer to home, he enjoys The Wealthy Barber with David Chilton, where guests provide valuable insight into the Canadian financial landscape. For Bradley, listening to these podcasts is a way to stay current while reinforcing his belief that finance is ultimately about people, not just numbers.
Guiding principles:
Servant leadership – Supporting others, not commanding them.
Courageous vulnerability – Bradley is willing to be a beginner.
Collective success – The team is stronger than the individual.
Disciplined preparation – Set goals and achieve them
CUYLM participation:
Bradley served on the CUYLM Executive Committee from 2018 to 2020, an experience he says had a huge impact on him. Through his involvement, he had opportunities to connect with many great leaders and passionate cooperators across the credit union system.