Michael Kadel, Vice-Chair

Michael Kadel, a dedicated C-level executive and board director, exemplifies servant leadership, prioritizing people and fostering strong relationships. His commitment to driving change, passion for nurturing talent, and unwavering dedication to leader engagement have consistently delivered high-growth, performance-driven cultures under his guidance. Michael boasts extensive expertise in the financial services industry, spanning Retail, Business, and Digital Banking to Private, Commercial, and Wealth Management, as well as Corporate Marketing and Communications. His entrepreneurial spirit, willingness to make informed decisions, and empowerment of others have consistently delivered exceptional client experiences. Michael has also played a pivotal role in seven successful mergers and acquisitions, offering invaluable insights to small and medium-sized businesses in areas such as Human Resources, Finance/Accounting, and Leading large retail experience teams in credit unions and community banks, Michael has orchestrated successful loan and deposit growth strategies, resulting in multiple “President’s Club” awards for his teams. His leadership has driven impactful re-branding initiatives, including the development of a culture-focused M&A playbook, ensuring a seamless integration of cultures in mergers and acquisitions and achieving a remarkable 95% employee retention rate. Throughout his career, Michael has fostered achievement-oriented cultures rooted in accountability, recognition, engagement, and innovation. He has championed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies, resulting in a 5% improvement in workforce diversity across organizations. Michael actively contributes to various boards, including Working Solutions, the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, Marin Economic Forum, and Marin Literacy, currently serving as Vice Chair of the Board of By The Bay Health. His board roles have encompassed leadership positions in governance, finance, compensation, and human resources committees. Michael has spearheaded numerous projects aimed at enhancing customer experiences, including a significant core conversion project for a San Francisco-based credit union. This project led to substantial membership growth and streamlined product launches, reducing the time required to open online memberships from days to minutes. The technology overhaul eliminated over 500 legacy programs, aligning processes with cutting-edge solutions. Michael’s cross-functional leadership style has fostered strategic alliances, both internally and externally, resulting in stellar outcomes and empowered teams. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics from Kansas State University and is a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School, where he now serves as an executive student advisor, sharing insights from his DEI experiences. In his personal life, he resides in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he enjoys hiking, traveling, and is an avid reader.