Libro Credit Union Uses the OrgHealth Ascent Assessment

Libro Credit Union is a Canadian financial cooperative that offers a wide range of financial services, including banking, loans, mortgages, and investment options. It serves over 120,000 members. Libro has $12 billion in its portfolio and operates in 39 branches with over 850 employees across southwestern Ontario, Canada.

In 2023, Shawn Good was just finishing his first 100 days as CEO when he and the executive leadership team (ELT) met to discuss the results of their Ascent Assessment.

“I was hoping that the Ascent Assessment would expose some needs we had as a company and a team so the ELT could rally together and make them priorities. Often, it’s better for an external voice—or tool—to highlight those kinds of things rather than appearing like I think I know better than the long-serving leaders. It absolutely accomplished that objective. But the truth is, I learned some things, too!”

As an ELT member, Brian Aalbers weighed in with his perspective as well:

“As Chief People & Governance Officer, talent and culture are high priorities. I loved how the Ascent Assessment pushed us to consider these aspects with as much emphasis as was put on strategic clarity and financial health. It truly looks at the health of the whole organization. There are some topics that leadership teams shy away from. Especially when it comes to their own shortcomings. OrgHealth took us there in our discussion and artfully let points hang for us to struggle with, then occasionally stepped in to guide us through them. We couldn’t have done it without them."

The ELT committed to a list of priority actions and revisited them every month for a year. Virtually every priority was completed by the end of that period.

Shawn Good reflects:

“It was a time of significant transformation. We now feel we are well positioned for strong success going forward. We are very clear strategically, and we are very committed to enhancing our culture. Our greatest impact will come through the amazing people in our organization.”

Libro Credit Union continues to invest in organizational health and serve their vision of fostering financial resilience, affordable housing, meaningful employment, and food security to grow prosperity in southwestern Ontario.