From ‘worst player’ to C-suite all-star: Brett Fisher shows how Finance Council membership pays off

Brett Fisher credits Finance Council's network and committee work for a confidence boost that propelled him to the CFO chair at $1.6 billion Skyla Credit Union. The same connections delivered tangible ROI—from a seven-figure Visa Class B conversion to quicker, lower-risk strategic pivots that benefit members.

Fisher walked into his first Finance Council Conference "feeling like the worst baseball player on a pro team"—surrounded by veteran CFOs whose résumés dwarfed his own. But that was what he expected.

"You get better just by being around higher-caliber individuals," he said.

Today, Fisher is the chief financial officer of $1.6 billion Skyla Credit Union, chair of the Finance Council Conference Planning Committee, and vice chair of the Council's executive committee. He credits surrounding himself with seasoned finance veterans he once found intimidating for the leap that "catapulted me into positions of responsibility. Becoming a CFO at a $1.6 billion credit union at my age feels like a lifetime achievement."

Councils membership, he says, built the confidence—and the Rolodex—to make that jump while delivering bottom-line wins for the cooperative he serves.

Confidence forged among all-stars

Fisher's first move after joining Finance Council in 2019 was to volunteer for the Finance Council's Conference Planning Committee. Weekly calls with 10 to 15 finance leaders forced him to speak up, test ideas, and, over time, realize those "higher-caliber" pros were also approachable friends. The result: sharper presentation skills, quicker decision-making under board scrutiny, and a network that now calls him for advice as often as he calls them.

That accessibility, he notes, isn't marketing spin. Within hours of the May 2025 Finance Council Conference wrap-up, he was fielding follow-up emails from new contacts seeking templates and second opinions. "We're not full of secrets we won't share," he said. "We're full of experience for the betterment of our industry."

Seven-figure guidance you won't find in a textbook

Skyla's finance team felt the impact when Visa offered credit unions a way to unlock long-dormant Class B shares—restricted stock many institutions received when Visa went public in 2008. The conversion lets holders swap those locked-up shares, which carry litigation risk, for a mix of tradable stock classes that can be sold on the open market. For mid-size credit unions, the proceeds can reach seven or eight figures—but only if management understands complex GAAP entries, litigation "haircuts," and NCUA capital treatment.

"I would not have known how to navigate that process without Councils," Fisher said. Online community forum threads and member-shared checklists walked his team through board memos, exchange-offer deadlines, and valuation optics—turning a balance-sheet footnote into real capital.

The pattern repeated with each topic surfacing first on the Council forum or in a breakout session, giving Skyla vetted instructions.

ROI that resonates beyond the CFO's office

Fisher tracks three paybacks that reach far past his own career arc:

  1. Faster strategic pivots. Peer-shared models shaved weeks off Skyla's decision cycles for derivatives and Visa-stock monetization, keeping the credit union ahead of market swings.
  2. Stronger talent bench. By chairing the conference committee, Fisher spotlights emerging voices, giving high-potential analysts a stage and reason to stay.
  3. Member-level value. Extra capital from the Visa conversion now funds digital upgrades and rate offers members will see this year.

"Councils filled the collaboration void I felt after leaving the examiner's circuit," Fisher says. "(The annual Finance Council Conference is) now the best week of my year—and the best investment our credit union makes in my development."

Fisher's advice mirrors the lesson he gave an introverted committee colleague: "Sit in the back row and stay quiet, and you'll restrict what you get out:"

  • Volunteer early. Committees provide an instant small-group laboratory for new ideas.
  • Turn conference nights into opportunities to meet many peers. Every handshake cements a resource you may need next quarter.
  • Ask—and answer—forum questions. Reciprocity builds credibility fast.

Whether you're a seasoned CFO or an analyst eyeing the top seat, Fisher's story illustrates how Finance Council converts membership dues into personal growth and institutional gains. One click opens the door.

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