REACH 2025 dedicated its final morning of programming to the important issue of leadership burnout during the Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN) Breakfast on Thursday.
(View and download event photos from the REACH 2025 Photo Galleries)
The interactive session featured Rachel Sheerin, a certified professional behavioral analyst and award-winning keynote speaker, who challenged the credit union leaders, high-performers, and allies in attendance to confront the chronic stress plaguing the financial services sector.
Sheerin opened the discussion by framing burnout not as a result of apathy, but as the inevitable consequence of high-performers who push themselves to excel. She drew parallels between the industry’s external pressures, such as the accelerating pace of digital change and the “Silver Wave” of retirements creating leadership gaps, as well as the resulting internal strain on executives.
She asserted that leaders are under unprecedented pressure. This can lead to being overwhelmed and reduced engagement among their teams.
She emphasized the necessity of leaders shifting their mindset and strategies to take back control, explaining that burnout cannot be overcome simply by working harder or achieving more. Investing in the holistic wellbeing of credit union leaders is a strategic imperative for taking on the complexities of 2025.
Sherrin provided tangible strategies for resilience and renewal. She guided attendees through exercises aimed at self-discovery, helping them identify personal drivers and core values that can be used as shields against stress.
A central theme was the need to establish and enforce clear boundaries, both personal and professional. Sheerin articulated that success for a credit union leader in the age of digital disruption must be defined by sustainability, not just short-term quarterly results. The session empowered attendees to reignite their passion, happiness, and success through intentional self-leadership and proactive wellness.
Her unique perspective stems from her diverse corporate background, having built multi-million-dollar sales teams and trained operations groups for better collaboration. Her own experience with intense drive leading to severe burnout was the catalyst that led her to blend psychological and behavioral science, aiming to help high-achieving professionals avoid the same fate.
Attendees and League staff will be sharing photos, comments, and memories through LinkedIn at #CUatREACH.
REACH is one of the credit union industry’s premier annual events, attracting leaders and system partners from across California, Nevada, and the United States. It is held from October 27-30 at JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, CA this year.
