As a C-level executive and board director, I embody servant leadership, prioritizing people and fostering strong relationships. My commitment to driving change, passion for nurturing talent, and dedication to leader engagement consistently deliver high-growth, performance-driven cultures.

With extensive experience across the financial services industry, I've developed expertise in areas ranging from Retail and Digital Banking to Wealth Management and Corporate Communications. My approach to empowering teams has consistently resulted in exceptional client experiences and numerous "President's Club" awards.

I've successfully guided seven mergers and acquisitions, creating a culture-focused M&A strategy that maintains a 95% employee retention rate. My leadership has driven significant re-branding initiatives and technology transformations, enhancing customer experiences and streamlining operations.

Areas of Expertise

• Financial Services Leadership: My comprehensive experience spans Retail, Business, Digital Banking, Private, Commercial, Wealth Management, Corporate Marketing, and Communications. This broad perspective allows me to provide valuable insights to small and medium-sized businesses in areas such as Human Resources, Finance/Accounting, Culture Transformation, and Organizational Development.
• Strategy & Execution: At the helm of retail experience teams in credit unions and community banks, I've implemented successful loan and deposit growth strategies that consistently exceed targets. I've also spearheaded transformative re-branding initiatives that align with our core values and cultural objectives.
• Organizational Culture: I specialize in cultivating achievement-oriented cultures rooted in accountability, recognition, engagement, and innovation. My diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have resulted in a 5% improvement in workforce diversity across organizations.
• Board Governance: I actively contribute to various boards, including Working Solutions, the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, Marin Economic Forum, and Marin Literacy. Currently, I serve as Vice Chair of the Board at By The Bay Health, the largest provider of end-of-life care in the San Francisco Bay Area. My board roles have encompassed committee leadership in Governance, Finance, and Compensation, addressing critical issues such as strategic planning and executive succession.
• Technology Innovation: I've led transformative projects that significantly enhance customer experiences. In a notable initiative at a San Francisco-based credit union, we reduced online membership opening times from days to minutes and eliminated over 500 legacy programs. I've also served as a key executive for a Fintech company, focusing on developing technology leaders capable of providing state-of-the-art solutions for financial institutions.

Notable Client Achievements

• Coached 7 executives at a fast growing fintech company leading to stellar results and a 100% retention rate.

• Co-lead a coaching initiative to create a plan for an evolving "culture of service” for a multi-billion dollar Bay Area credit union, with a focus on coaching for performance resulting in an increase in employee engagement scores of 30 basis points coupled with improved member net promoter results of 15 basis points.

• Michael has led successful loan and deposit growth strategies whereas he created a strategic alliance between Wealth Management and Private Banking divisions of a multi-regional Community Bank resulting in an increased retention rate of 25% coupled with a 25% increase in consumer lending activity.

• Led the implementation of a two-year, multi-phase overhaul of a private banking platform, including a competitive analysis, resulting in an increase in assets-under-management (AUM) of 25% within 9 months for a regional Community Bank.

• Reengineered a Credit Union's Marketing Division, creating a new marketing plan that addressed the retention and acquisition strategy of new members and resulted in an increase in employee engagement scores of 50 basis points and a 15% increase in member growth within 9 months.

• Developed a culture-focused M&A playbook that achieved a remarkable 95% employee retention rate in the midst of acquiring and integrating two organizations. As the “cultural architect” in enboding and incorporating three competing cultures, Michael spearheaded the “blending” these three cultures; utilizing his playbook, leading diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts that has significantly improved workforce engagement. He has played a pivotal role in seven successful mergers and acquisitions, offering invaluable insights into Human Resources, Finance/Accounting, and Organizational Development for medium-sized businesses.