Kindred Credit Union is excited to introduce our members to Stephanie Szusz, our new Vice-President, Agricultural and Commercial Banking. This newly-created position supports Kindred’s commitment to farmers and the broader agricultural sector.
Stephanie joined Kindred in October after over 18 years in banking, mostly as an agricultural relationship manager. Her family has been farming in Waterloo County for eight generations and currently operate a dairy farm and commodities business. It’s safe to say that Stephanie knows agriculture!
Stephanie was particularly drawn to Kindred because of our commitment to our members. “As I’ve spent more time with our Account Manager team and jointly meeting members, I can see the genuine care and concern for the needs of our members,” she comments. Stephanie appreciates that many of our Account Managers either grew up on a farm or currently operate their own farms and truly understand, and can relate to, the needs of farmers. She understands that Kindred’s success demonstrates the trust our members, and particularly farmers, have placed in us.
Now 100 days into her role, Stephanie is leading and developing Kindred’s best practices in engaging with members wherever they are at.
“We’re a growing organization that will be moving forward by embracing innovation while also honouring our roots,” she states.
She whole-heartedly supports our purpose of providing cooperative banking that connects values and faith with finances inspiring peaceful, just, and prosperous communities. She clearly connects with our values and is very active in her own community, where she lives with her husband and three young children. She serves as a 4-H leader for over 15 years, the President of the Wilmot Agricultural Society, and the Treasurer for Living Walk ministries. She is also interested in partnering in the community to support mental health initiatives in the agricultural sector.
Kindred is the second largest agricultural credit union lender in Ontario and Stephanie believes that Kindred brings value to farmers and is a credit union system leader in the agricultural finance space. Kindred has over 50 years of agricultural banking expertise. From cash crops to livestock, from barn construction to robotic milking, our team has experience in all aspects of banking for farmers. Stephanie is looking forward to continuing and enhancing our member-focused approach while ensuring that we continue to provide exceptional service, advice, and support.
In January of 2023, Stephanie Szusz was recognized for her leadership by the Wilmot Agricultural Society when she was presented with the Ward Shantz Memorial Award.