ACU Employee Spotlight: Getting to know Andrea Dysievick

The ACU Employee Spotlight series features some of the many people that work at the credit union, highlighting how their unique roles help members and the community every day. In this article, we get to know Andrea Dysievick.

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At ACU, we’re fortunate to have a diverse team — each person bringing their own skillset to their roles along with the knowledge from other professional experiences and industries. Many of our team members have worked at ACU for years, while others have been building their careers within other companies before their paths eventually lead to ACU.

That is the case with Andrea Dysievick, who recently joined ACU in a leadership role that is perfectly matched to her unique skillset. In this employee spotlight, we get to know more about Andrea’s experience in finance and how her childhood actually prepared her for this industry. She also tells us how her career launched by having the confidence to take a bold first step.

For those looking to follow in Andrea’s footsteps, you’ll also learn how ACU’s vision and values have aligned perfectly with her own approach to business and beyond.

Getting to know Andrea:

Question (Q): How long have you worked at ACU?

I joined ACU January 2020, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. Although my time at ACU has been brief, I almost immediately felt right at home. I was barely settled into the role when the pandemic hit, so needless to say it’s been an interesting ride thus far.

Q. Describe a “day in the life” of your role.

That’s a great question and one that continues to evolve. I am responsible for all of the Advice & Service teams, including the branch network, ACU Wealth, Dealer Finance, Winnipeg Insurance Brokers (WIB) and the Business and Community Financial Centre, so there is no shortage of ways to spend my time. I have a diverse portfolio and a mandate mainly focused on growth.

The priorities that are the most important to me are the ones that have direct impact on the member and employee experience. I know that if we are making strides in both of these areas, and are disciplined in our execution, we will be successful.

My favourite days are the ones spent in the field with member-facing teams. Without our members and the employees who serve them on the frontline, we wouldn’t be who we are. It’s rewarding to hear the stories about how ACU is helping members achieve their goals, whether it’s purchasing their first home, saving to enjoy the retirement of their dreams, or financing a once in a lifetime project for their business. I look forward to getting back to a place where this can happen more frequently.

Q. What is your favourite part of working at ACU?

The passion of all the people. I genuinely believe that everyone at ACU is invested in making this the best place to work, and we are committed to doing what it takes to evolve and grow our business. I’m excited to harness all this great energy and build for the future.

Q. What’s a great financial tip you learned over the years that was a surprising help?

Start early. Having come from a long line of bankers, my mother taught me the importance of starting early and planning for the future. I was fortunate to have a good example set for me. She encouraged me to start saving when I got my first job at the age of 12. As a result, I developed good saving habits that continue to serve me well.

My mom also taught me the value of planning. Every year for Christmas, from the age of 14 on, she would give me something to put away for when I got my first place. Kitchen utensils, sheets, tea towels, etc. I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but looking back, it shaped how I prepare for big financial events in my life.

Q. What’s a fun fact about yourself that most people wouldn’t know?

I love adventure racing. Every fall, I race as part of a three-person all-female team, in a nine-hour adventure race in the Whiteshell. It’s a multi-discipline race that includes orienteering, mountain biking and paddling. I look forward to it every year and, one day, I hope to race with my daughter.

I love the sport because it’s as much mental as it is physical. You need to be strategic with the course you choose, make quick decisions and adjust as the race carries on. It takes mental fortitude to push yourself physically for those nine hours, and the end result of doing so is extremely satisfying.

Helping others kick-start their careers:

Q. How did you get started in the financial industry?

I’m a third-generation banker. However, I didn’t grow up aspiring to follow the same path as my mother and grandmother. What started as a summer position during university led me down the path, and here I am almost 20 years later.

I started my career in Thunder Bay, Ontario in a summer position as a teller and online banking specialist. Shortly after starting, I convinced my boss at the time (as only an over-confident 20-year-old can) that I had all the skills to be successful as a Financial Advisor. It worked.

From then on, I worked full-time, acquiring my professional designations and completing the remainder of my university degree as a part-time student.

I moved back home to Winnipeg in 2008, and moved into my first leadership role. Over the years, I’ve worked in a number of capacities in the branch network, at a district level and prior to joining ACU, I led a commercial banking team.

Q. What advice would you give to someone interested in a job like yours?

Be self-aware, take chances and be humble. If you want to propel forward in your career, you must know what your gaps are, be vulnerable and open about them and consistently work to close them. This mindset and openness to feedback will build your own and others’ confidence in you.

Take chances and stretch yourself outside of your comfort zone. It’s good to feel a certain amount of discomfort in a role, since it’s a good gauge that you’re pushing yourself.

Ego won’t get you anywhere, so be humble. Not only will you achieve greater success if you leave your ego at the door, you’ll have more fun along the way.

Q. Why would you encourage people to work at ACU in particular?

ACU walks the talk as it relates to values — and that’s unique. I’ve been really amazed at the integration of values throughout the organization and how that translates into outcomes for our people, the community and our environment. If you want to work for an organization that makes a difference, ACU is it.

The future of our community

Q. What does “Money Doing More” mean to you?

Money Doing More is a very simple way of articulating what ACU is all about. It’s our purpose.

It means doing more for our members, our employees, our community and the environment. These three words compel me to drive hard to achieve results, so that we can continue to invest in our business to provide a better, more modern experience for our members and employees — and to continue giving back to our community.

 ACU Employee Spotlight: Getting to know Kirstin Witwicki

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