Profile: Kevin Baun, Rosenort Credit Union
Kevin Baun
Chief Operating Officer, Rosenort Credit Union
Career:
Start in the financial services industry: 2004
Start in the credit union system: 2008
Though raised in a family of bankers, Kevin had no interest in following their footsteps during his high school years. Nevertheless, his professional path led him into the financial services industry, a journey he now reflects on with gratitude. Kevin has held numerous roles, including call center support agent, teller, lender, mutual funds sales representative, call center manager, branch manager, sales and service manager, and manager of omni-channel delivery. He brings this breadth of experience to his role as Chief Operating Officer at Rosenort Credit Union.
A typical day:
Kevin admits that defining a “typical day” is difficult, but what remains constant is the focus on people. Whether he's in meetings, tackling projects, participating in huddles, coaching team members, or responding to emails, he says his days are enriched by working with others. He feels fortunate to work alongside incredible people who are committed to fostering a culture of learning, collaboration, and service to their membership.
Continuous learning and improvement:
One of Kevin’s favourite pastimes is reading, a habit that fuels his personal and professional growth. He also enjoys making the most of his time, so he turns his daily commute into an opportunity for learning by listening to audio books and podcasts on business, self-improvement, or leadership – as well as history shorts.
Keys to success:
Kevin considers himself fortunate to have supportive peers, leaders, mentors, friends, and family – including his incredible wife. Their belief in his potential, especially during moments when he struggled to see it himself, has had a lasting impact. He’s grateful for the chances others have given him and willingness to place their trust in him, and this motivates him to do his best and be worthy of that trust. He looks for ways to pay that forward whenever he can, offering others the same encouragement and opportunities.
Recommended reading (or other resources) for young leaders:
Some of the books Kevin recommends are: Start With Why, Find Your Why, and Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek; Good to Great and Built to Last by Jim Collins; Who Moved My Cheese? by Dr. Spencer Johnson; Dare to Lead by Brené Brown; and Tribes by Seth Godin. While the list goes on, including works by John C. Maxwell, Kevin encourages others to discover what inspires them, in whatever medium, be it paper, audio, or otherwise.
Guiding principles:
Be the person you would look up to. This is a motto Kevin strives to embody in every interaction and decision, and he pauses to reflect on this before acting.
Flip problems into opportunities. Kevin acknowledges this isn’t always easy, or even possible. Still, he believes it's important to recognize when things aren’t going well, and to train the mind to quickly shift from “Well, shoot” to “What can we do about it?”
Surround yourself with people who lift you up – and keep you grounded. Positivity breeds positivity, he says, and the same is true for negativity. Kevin encourages others to choose their circle with intention, and likewise to continually earn the privilege of friendship.
Don't assume, ask. Our minds are incredible, Kevin says. However, they are also quick to justify and rationalize situations. That means you are making up a story, often without the facts. This doesn't serve you, or the people involved. Don't assume, ask.
Don't blame a zebra for its stripes. Accept people for who they are, he says, then refer to #3.
CUYLM participation:
Kevin served on the CUYLM Executive Committee from 2017 to 2020 and then continued his involvement afterward as part of an alumni support panel.
He describes the experience of being surrounded by a network of like-minded young leaders across the credit union system as invigorating.
Kevin looked up to the seasoned committee members and was inspired by the enthusiasm of his peers. He credits CUYLM with expanding his perspective, encouraging him to look beyond his current role and credit union to better understand the broader system.
He is grateful for the opportunities to learn, receive guidance and support, and play a role in bringing the committee’s ideas to life. Serving on the committee empowered him to lead, innovate, and gain hands-on experience in strategic planning, budgeting, project management and more.
Kevin deeply values the lasting connections he formed during his time with CUYLM. He describes it as an incredible life experience, one that enriched his career and personal growth in countless ways. “Whenever I think back on my time with CUYLM,” he says, “it’s with deep appreciation and fond memories.”