Skip to main content

Leadership and Governance

 

Leadership and Governance

Kindred’s leadership consists of three groups: the Board of Directors, a Senior Leadership Team, and the Council of Members. These teams work closely together to ensure the continuing success and sound governance of the credit union. The Board of Directors establishes Kindred’s strategic direction, monitors the overall strength and financial performance of the organization, as well as the satisfaction of members, and ensures that Kindred continues to be an engaging employer. Representing the best interests of the members, the Board works closely with the Senior Leadership Team and holds the organization accountable for its success. Guided by Kindred’s purpose, the Board applies prudent financial practices and business standards to fulfill its responsibilities to members.

The Council of Members is a committee of sixteen member volunteers with representation from all eight Kindred branches. Each year the Council seeks volunteers for governance roles on the Board of Directors and ensures the Council of Members has a full complement. This approach to discerning qualified candidates has resulted in diverse and competent boards for Kindred, who have served the membership well and been excellent guardians of our values. Appointments to the Council of Members are presented to the Membership at the Annual General Meeting.

We are currently seeking candidates to fill upcoming vacancies on the Kindred Board of Directors and Council of Members. If you’re interested in serving, take a look through our info packages for more information:
Serving as a Board Member  |  Serving as a Council of Members Representative

To apply, please email Tithi Thakkar, Corporate Secretary.


Meet the Senior Leadership Team

John Klassen, BSc, CPA, CMA
Interim Chief Executive Officer

Max Bentz, BA
Vice-President, Member Relationships

Nancy Mason, H.B.Com., CPA, CGA
Interim Chief Financial Officer

Nick Savva, BSc, ACIB
Vice President, Strategy Development and Delivery

Nolan Andres, BSc, MMath
Chief, Technology and Innovation

Rebecca Smith, BA, CHRL
Vice-President, Engagement and Values

Sandra Yutzy, MBA
Vice-President, Credit Risk

Stephanie Szusz, BBA, BEd
Vice-President, Agricultural and Commercial Banking

 


Meet the Board of Directors

Susan Taves
Board Chair, Governance Committee

Henry Paetkau
Board Vice-Chair, Governance Committee

Carolyn Albrecht
Governance Committee

Stephen Funk
Finance and Loan Committee

Gerry Frey
Finance and Loan Committee Chair 

James Schenk
Audit and Risk Committee

Kaylie Tiessen
Finance and Loan Committee

Rick Martin
Audit and Risk Committee

Rosemary McCrie
Audit and Risk Committee Chair

Tim Wagler
Governance Committee

Wanda Wagler-Martin
Finance and Loan Committee

Board Gender Diversity

In 2023, 45% of Kindred’s Board were female. The table below includes the percent share for the two years prior.

Year  Female  Male
2022 50% 50%
2021 48% 52%
 


Council of Members by Branch

Aylmer
Frank Voth, John Stoltzfus

Elmira
Dennis Frey, Erla Bauman

Kitchener
Dan Driedger (chair), Brent Charette

Leamington
Vic Winter, (one vacancy)

Milverton
Connie Jantzi, (one vacancy)

Mount Forest
Miles Wiederkehr (vice-chair), (one vacancy)

New Hamburg
Dawna Whitehead, Norm Size

Waterloo
Kevin Dwarte, Alfred Hecht (vice-chair)