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Community CU’s Kirstyn Birkbeck.
League President/CEO Todd Mason announced this week that Kirstyn Birkbeck, AVP of Deposit Operations at Community CU, is this year’s recipient of the Jeannette G. Morin Award. This award is presented annually to an outstanding credit union employee.
“Denzel Washington once said, ‘At the end it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished. It’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.’ When I first read that quote, I immediately thought of Kirstyn Birkbeck,” said Jennifer Hogan, President/CEO of Community CU.
Kirstyn has achieved many accomplishments throughout her five years at Community CU. She began her career as a Member Representative and in a short period of time, progressed to the role of Financial Service Representative. She is now the AVP of Deposit Operations. Throughout her credit union journey, Kirstyn has inspired her peers by learning new functions and asking important questions.
“I have always instilled in my team that just because we’ve always done something one way for a long time doesn’t mean it’s the right away or the most efficient way,” said Hogan. “I always challenge my team to ask the deeper questions and understand the ‘why’ behind things. Kirstyn never disappoints in this challenge and as a result, is an expert in her role.”
Kirstyn is a natural supervisor and valued leader at the credit union. She does a thorough job directing her staff, teaching them new processes, and holding them accountable. Kirstyn also promotes teamwork by helping her colleagues grow professionally at the credit union. She has spent a significant amount of time passing on her knowledge and experiences to other employees throughout the organization, teaching them about abandoned property, IRA reporting, tax withholdings, levies, wire transfers, and more.
“Kirstyn lives and breathes the credit union People Helping People philosophy,” said Hogan. “She volunteers for nearly every event that the credit union holds or participates in. She also prides herself on being involved in financial literacy programs in our community, holding sessions with local Girl Scout troops and teaching financial classes at Central Maine Community College.”
On behalf of the League and Maine’s credit unions, we extend our sincere congratulations to Kirstyn on this well-deserved honor.