The Voices of MDT is a short series featuring our associates, partners, and clients helping credit unions move forward. In episode one, we sit down with MDT’s CEO, Chris Kowal, to discuss effective leadership, navigating change, and how we show up for credit unions—together.
Chris is at his best when he’s strategizing. His first question is always the simplest and most important: “Our job is to ask: what is it you really are trying to do?” That’s where effective leadership begins. Before tools or timelines, we get clear on the outcome. Then we plan backward—mapping milestones, risks, and the next right step with you.
We call this a navigator mindset. Navigators don’t shout directions; they chart the course with you. It’s a mix of curiosity, experience, and accountability. Curiosity asks better questions. Experience turns complexity—core processing, integrations, security, compliance—into plain English. Accountability is doing what we said we’d do, especially when things get hard.
Getting Good at Change
Change is the one constant in financial services. Regulations evolve, member expectations rise, and new tech shows up daily. Chris frames it simply: nothing stays the same. At MDT, we treat change like a muscle—stronger because we train it on purpose. Navigating change looks like steady processes, status updates, and a team that moves with you when plans need to adjust. With the right partner, you don’t have to choose between stability and innovation.
Community, Accountability, and Trust
Underneath it all is community. It shows up when things aren’t easy. In our world, that looks like keeping commitments, being transparent, and doing the unglamorous work when timelines get tight. Trust isn’t a slogan—it’s built through accountability.
Inside MDT, that means we hold ourselves and each other to a high bar. With clients, it means you’ll always know where a project stands, what’s working, and what needs a tweak. We celebrate progress and navigate problems—together.
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