ACU Employee Spotlight: Getting to know Ryan Fontaine and Joshua Henson

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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.

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In this ACU employee spotlight, we talk to two team members from Credential Financial Strategies Inc. who have deep roots in financial planning and helping members develop their customized strategies.

Ryan Fontaine, Senior Investment Advisor and Joshua Henson, Insurance Specialist and Wealth Advisor, share the values-based approach that puts members first. Whether helping clients plan for the short-term, retirement or even customizing a socially responsible strategy, these experts in their field are passionate about what they do.

Keep reading to learn more about their day-to-day roles, how they got their start in the industry and their predictions for the future of finance in our community.

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Getting to know Ryan Fontaine

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

I’ve been at ACU for 16 years now.

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

My days are spent connecting with members and helping them make good financial decisions. 

As a financial resource, I view it as being on their team. Some members see me as a coach, and others see me as their teammate. Either way, I help to achieve the financial goal they set out.

Q. What’s a great or surprising financial tip you’ve learned that’s helped over the years?

Pay yourself first. Once you get used to saving money, it becomes a good habit.

Helping others kickstart their careers:

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

I was naturally a good saver and made good financial decisions. My financial advisor introduced me to this career as a means to help others make good choices of their own.

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

Similar to my start, I would suggest finding a mentor to learn from and ask questions. You will be surprised at how much that will help. 

The future of our community

Q. How have you seen members make improvements in their financial lives?

I have an integral role in assisting our members in improving their financial positions. As their financial ‘coach’ and resource to help them make good financial decisions, I help good savers spend wisely, give to family members and support their favourite charities.

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Getting to know Joshua Henson

Q. How long have you worked at ACU? 

I’ve been with ACU since 2019. 

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

I work with a range of members — some who want protection for their paycheque, others who want to retire sooner and others who want to pass on their wealth. Everyone has a different set of needs. While there are recurring themes between my day-to-day and the members I work with, every day is different.

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

I love the ACU Wealth team. They’re great people.

Q. What’s a great or surprising financial tip you’ve learned that’s helped over the years? 

Everything comes down to relationships. You have to build those relationships to gain success. 

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

I’m a former Canadian Chess Champion.

Helping others kickstart their careers:

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

I got my start working as a teller at a bank while I was in university. 

Q. How has your role evolved since you started? 

I have done a number of different roles — including customer service, personal advice (lending & investing), commercial and agriculture lending, and financial planning.

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

It takes a lot of time to build your member/client base, so be patient and be consistent. Relationships are very important. 

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

At ACU, the profits from investments and interest go back to the community, rather than faceless shareholders. This is a really important aspect to me.

Q. What brings you the most joy from being part of ACU?

I love working with a group of people that are all focused on and dedicated to the same goal. 

The future of our community

Q. What excites you about the positive changes happening in our community? 

For me, I like seeing the WHL and the NHL in our community. I think the developments to downtown Winnipeg are good. Next, we need to focus more on public transit and cycling lanes to make our city more pedestrian-friendly. 

Q. How have you seen members make improvements in their financial lives? 

I’ve worked with members who start with no idea how to save. But they can get started with a small pre-authorized contribution and build from there. Over time, they get financially comfortable  — and that’s always great to see.

Q. Why would you encourage people to become an ACU member? 

Values-based banking is the key. ACU cares about the community, and our profits help improve that community, the environment, and eliminate poverty. I feel good about the place I work.

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

“Money Doing More” is about making the community a better place to live, eradicating poverty, and working together with all parts of our community, not just the ones that look good for the media.

Q. What do you think is the most exciting thing to come in the future for credit unions? 

For Assiniboine, it is the market movements we make, such as merging with Entegra. These are opportunities to become more competitive with the banks while  remembering our values — like how we are always working in our members’ best interests.

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