Age: 48
 
CU Times: How long have you been with EFCU Financial?

Singer Lee: I am a proud three-time alumna of Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers!). I earned a PhD in Human Resource Education, a field centered on leadership, human resource and organizational development, and change management theory. My dissertation explored how employers (specifically universities) support employees in balancing work and personal priorities. As someone who worked full-time and had two small children while pursuing my doctorate, this topic was especially meaningful to me.
 
CU Times: What are your key responsibilities in your current role?

Singer Lee: My responsibilities center on developing our team members by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to best serve our members, while fostering a supportive environment where they can apply their strengths and thrive.
 
CU Times: What drew you to the credit union industry?

Singer Lee: I genuinely believe that credit union team members are their own best recruiters. Over the years, I have been fortunate to meet the most wonderful credit union professionals through my volunteer work – both in my professional organizations and through community organizations. Seeing firsthand their talent and passion for service brought me to understand that credit unions have something special.
 
CU Times: What unique skills, experience and attributes do you bring to your role?

Singer Lee: Having a formal education in change management theory and experience across multiple industries of all sizes facing both challenges and opportunities, I bring a unique perspective in how to approach large scale change. As our credit union makes significant investments in technology and prepares for growth, I believe that fostering a strong culture and high team engagement will be key to driving our success.
 
CU Times: Which person (or people) do you credit the most for helping and supporting you along your career journey?

Singer Lee: It may sound like a cliché, but I truly credit my mother as my role model and biggest cheerleader. She instilled confidence in me when I did not think I had it in me and taught me not only the value of an education, but the importance of lifelong learning.
 
CU Times: What are some of the biggest differences between working in your current executive level role and your previous, non-executive roles?

Singer Lee: Serving on the executive team allows me to have a broader view of the organization and integrate our most valuable asset – our team members – into every aspect of the overall strategy.
 
CU Times: What’s a challenge you faced when you first joined your executive team, and how did you overcome it?

Singer Lee: My position was newly created and combined three areas (Human Resources, Training & Development and Culture & Community Engagement) under one umbrella. One of the key challenges was defining how my role would integrate within the existing organizational structure, while also adjusting to a team where I was the new member and everyone else had been working together for some time. To overcome this, I focused on building strong relationships and aligning my priorities with the team’s goals.
 
CU Times: How would you describe your current leadership style?

Singer Lee: Leading a team through an innovation session is one of the most energizing experiences for me. There is something powerful about hearing different perspectives and watching ideas build on one another – it sparks creativity and opens new possibilities. Recognizing this, I would describe my leadership style as collaborative. I truly enjoy engaging team members at all levels in the problem-solving process and believe the best solutions emerge when everyone has a voice. 

CU Times: What are some lessons you've learned over your career concerning how to communicate well with others? 

Singer Lee: My biggest lesson learned is that not everyone communicates – or receives communication – in the same way. The method of communication, the choice of words and the delivery, all affect the receipt of the message. Because of this, I have learned the importance of communicating frequently and using multiple channels to ensure the message reaches people in a way that resonates with them.

CU Times: What are some ways in which you achieve work/life balance, set boundaries and/or avoid burnout at work?

Singer Lee: Culture starts at the top and I am thankful for having a CEO who values and supports work/life balance. Personally, I am intentional about managing my schedule to protect time for exercise (Pilates is my favorite!) and important family moments – both of which are essential to maintaining my physical and mental well-being.
 
CU Times: What’s next for you on your executive career journey? Do you have any specific career goals you’re working toward?

Singer Lee: In order to be an effective executive in any area, I believe it is important to understand the overall business. My next priority is to have a deeper understanding of the inner workings and oversight of credit unions, from Lending and Operations to Internal Audit and Board Governance. This broader knowledge will enable me to contribute more strategically and lead with a well-rounded perspective.
 
CU Times: What big picture impact do you hope to make within your credit union, as well as for your members and community? 

Singer Lee: The EFCU Foundation recently came under my umbrella of responsibility, which has a mission to give back to our community in the areas of education and financial literacy. It has a history of awarding scholarships to local high school graduates attending college and I hope to grow the Foundation to have a greater impact on people’s financial lives.
 
CU Times: What career advice would you give your younger self?

Singer Lee: I would advise myself to invest time in networking and meeting someone new every day. Many of the opportunities I have had throughout my career stemmed from "weak ties” – connections with people I knew, but not well, such as a friend of a friend or an acquaintance. Whether it was a job opportunity, a leadership role on a community board, or simply meeting an inspiring individual, networking has played a vital role in shaping my executive journey.

Would you or someone you know like to share your journey to credit union leadership? Please reach out to Natasha Chilingerian at [email protected]. To qualify, the individual must be a part of a credit union's leadership team or C-suite, and have a compelling story to share about their rise to their current leadership role.