Leadership, Mentorship,
and the CFDD Impact

Natalie Harrison, CBA

On Wednesday, May 21, at CFDD’s Annual Awards & Business Meeting held in conjunction with NACM’s 129th Credit Congress, Natalie Harrison, CBA, stepped into the role of CFDD’s National Chair. After extending a warm welcome to all in attendance, she delivered the following message:

“I am truly honored and humbled to accept the role of Chair of the CFDD National Board. As I step into this leadership role, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to my fellow board members for their trust and confidence in me, and to Heidi Lindgren-Boyce, CCE, for her outstanding leadership and guidance. Heidi has set a high standard, and I am grateful to have learned from her example.

I'd like to share my CFDD story with you:

It begins with Shelley Hart, CBF. When I was a credit assistant at WSM, Shelley was my supervisor. She had me join the CFDD Wichita Chapter and quickly volunteered me as our Chapter's Membership Secretary.

The real catalyst happened eight years ago when I attended my first CFDD National Conference in Omaha, Nebraska. At the time, I was not sure that credit was the right career path for me. But in Omaha, each and every member who attended that conference made a difference in my life in some way—and because of them, I left that conference with a renewed sense of purpose and goals for my career. I also gained mentors, friends, and guides from those in attendance who encouraged me to grow not just professionally but personally as well.

That year, our National Chair, Ellen Wodiuk, CCE, ICCE, chose the theme, "If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you," by Fred DeVito. To this day, I keep that quote on a sticky note on the fridge at home and on my desk at work.

I am certain it was Val Hardesty, CCE, CICP, Marlene Groh, CCE, ICCE, and DeLinda Goodman, CCE, who at some point pushed me out of my comfort zone to pursue serving on the CFDD National Board of Directors, and eventually, to be a speaker at Credit Congress, which leads me to today: stepping into the role of CFDD National Chair.

Quite honestly, I am an introvert and terrified of speaking in front of people, but CFDD has given me the education, mentorship, and leadership opportunities that I would have never dreamed of. Sheryl Sandberg said, "Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in our absence."
Each of you lifts me up, so I hope that I can repay that kindness to all of you going forward.

Let's make this a great year!”