Liz Blad

I attribute my success to a strong foundation built by my family, a genuine passion for what I do, and a deep commitment to helping others grow.

My family has played a huge role in shaping who I am. They taught me the importance of hard work, resilience, and staying grounded. Their constant support and belief in me gave me the confidence to keep pushing forward, even when things felt uncertain.

At the same time, my passion for educating and empowering others is what truly drives me. I care deeply about making a positive impact—whether that’s through sharing knowledge, encouraging others, or helping people recognize their own potential. That passion gives purpose to everything I do.

I’m also dedicated to showing up consistently and doing the work. Success, for me, isn’t just about personal achievement—it’s about contributing to others and creating meaningful change. Being able to support and uplift people is what keeps me motivated and focused every day.

In the end, it’s the combination of my roots, my passion, and my commitment to others that has shaped my journey.

The best career advice I’ve received is to take things one day at a time, especially during challenging periods. Each day is an opportunity to write a new story. I heard this recently, and it truly resonated with me. It serves as a reminder that no matter what obstacles I’m facing, every new day offers a fresh start and the chance to move forward in a better direction. This perspective has helped me navigate difficult moments with resilience and maintain a sense of balance during tough times.

My advice would be to believe in your ability before anyone else does—and don’t wait for permission to take up space. This industry can be challenging, and at times you may feel like you have to prove yourself more than others, but your perspective and voice are valuable.

Stay curious, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or take on opportunities that feel a little outside your comfort zone. Growth doesn’t happen in the safe zone—it happens when you stretch yourself.

Also, build relationships and support other women along the way. Having a strong network can make all the difference, and lifting each other up creates more space for everyone to succeed.

Most importantly, be persistent. There may be setbacks or moments of doubt, but those don’t define you—how you respond to them does. Trust that the skills and confidence you’re building will carry you further than you can see right now.

One of the biggest challenges in the credit union industry right now is keeping up with evolving technology and rising member expectations, while also competing with larger banks and fintech companies. At the same time, economic uncertainty adds pressure to balance growth and member service.

The biggest opportunity, however, is leaning into what sets credit unions apart—their member-first, community-focused approach. By combining that with innovation, credit unions are well positioned to grow and make an even greater impact.

My core values, both personally and professionally, begin with family—it’s my foundation and top priority. I also place a strong emphasis on workplace culture, as I believe a positive and supportive environment plays a critical role in employee satisfaction and overall performance. I make it a point to reinforce to new employees that culture sets the tone for everything else, and I’m intentional about seeking out organizations that reflect those values. I’m grateful to have found that alignment at GTE Financial, where the culture truly reflects what matters most to me.