Meet Caroline Lighthall
Manager, Member Services Development
At CUA, we pride ourselves on knowing our customers and having customers get to know our staff, including those who look after the day-to-day operations of our branches. We recently sat down with one of our Branch Managers to help you get to know them as well.Caroline has been a member of the CUA team since 1995 and you can find her in the role of Manager, Member Services Development. As Caroline has devoted more than 35 years to the financial industry, she is no stranger to helping the CUA team and our customers achieve their financial goals.
Where did you grow up and if you moved to Halifax, what brought you here?
I was born just outside Montreal and when I was 9 years old, my family relocated to New Brunswick. After several years there, we moved again to Nova Scotia. My mother was born and raised here and all of her family was here.
What drew you to banking?
When I was just 20 years old, a family friend offered me a term position with another banking institution. I enjoyed it so much that after my term ended, I applied for a position at Russell Credit Union (RCU) in Cole Harbour, quite close to my home. In 1994, CUA and RCU amalgamated and I’ve been a part of our organization ever since.
In 35 years, what other positions have you held at CUA?
I started out as a Financial Services Representative and then moved through various roles including in the Chequing Department, Accounts Payable and Payroll. I also worked as a Cash Supervisor. Then, I spent time as a Financial Advisor and later moved into an Account Manager role. In 2018, I transitioned into my role as Branch Manager. From there, I moved into the Manager, Member Services Development role and now provide training support to our team.
What does a “regular” workday look like for you?
I’m a morning person. I’m usually up by 6:00 and in the office by 7:30 eating my breakfast (hard-boiled eggs and coffee), responding to emails and prioritizing my day. Once my team shows up at 8:30, we have a quick team huddle and then I assist with the morning procedures as required. When we open our doors, I make sure that we are ready for another day of helping our members achieve their goals.
What is the best part of your job?
I’ve held many positions in my tenure with CUA and all of the positions have had their perks but I would say that the best part of being a manager specifically is the opportunity it provides to help my team members achieve their goals while also helping our customers achieve their financial goals.
How would you describe your leadership style?
I believe in open communication and helping to bring out the best in every team member. It is my job to assist everyone in achieving success and to reach their goals. I always try to be a positive role model for my employees and my clients. I also extend this philosophy outside of the workplace to my family and my friends as well. I believe in exemplifying respect, for example, allowing others to have their say even if I don’t necessarily agree with their stance on something. I feel this brings out the best in everyone and makes for a great team, which is what I have: a great team!
What is one piece of personal finance advice that you believe everyone should follow?
One of my favourite pieces of advice that I find is applicable to many is this: Live on less than you earn and if you find yourself in the fortunate position of getting a raise, do not increase your spending habits. Instead, consider contributing automatically to a savings account each month. For example, $50/month deposit results in $600 a year and $3,000 after five years, plus the interest you could earn. This is great for covering unexpected expenses without putting them on your credit card or taking out a high-cost loan.
What is your favourite meal to cook at home or order at a restaurant?
Brunch! I always look forward to Sunday when my son Devin comes over for brunch. We serve a classic meal of bacon, eggs, hash browns and fresh fruit. More often than not, we substitute bacon for healthier alternatives, however every now and then, we like to treat ourselves to the "good stuff". On the occasion we don’t feel like cooking, we will head to Cora’s and let them do the cooking for us. Their presentation is much nicer as well!
Email Caroline
When I was just 20 years old, a family friend offered me a term position with another banking institution. I enjoyed it so much that after my term ended, I applied for a position at Russell Credit Union (RCU) in Cole Harbour, quite close to my home. In 1994, CUA and RCU amalgamated and I’ve been a part of our organization ever since.
In 35 years, what other positions have you held at CUA?
I started out as a Financial Services Representative and then moved through various roles including in the Chequing Department, Accounts Payable and Payroll. I also worked as a Cash Supervisor. Then, I spent time as a Financial Advisor and later moved into an Account Manager role. In 2018, I transitioned into my role as Branch Manager. From there, I moved into the Manager, Member Services Development role and now provide training support to our team.
What does a “regular” workday look like for you?
I’m a morning person. I’m usually up by 6:00 and in the office by 7:30 eating my breakfast (hard-boiled eggs and coffee), responding to emails and prioritizing my day. Once my team shows up at 8:30, we have a quick team huddle and then I assist with the morning procedures as required. When we open our doors, I make sure that we are ready for another day of helping our members achieve their goals.
What is the best part of your job?
I’ve held many positions in my tenure with CUA and all of the positions have had their perks but I would say that the best part of being a manager specifically is the opportunity it provides to help my team members achieve their goals while also helping our customers achieve their financial goals.
How would you describe your leadership style?
I believe in open communication and helping to bring out the best in every team member. It is my job to assist everyone in achieving success and to reach their goals. I always try to be a positive role model for my employees and my clients. I also extend this philosophy outside of the workplace to my family and my friends as well. I believe in exemplifying respect, for example, allowing others to have their say even if I don’t necessarily agree with their stance on something. I feel this brings out the best in everyone and makes for a great team, which is what I have: a great team!
What is one piece of personal finance advice that you believe everyone should follow?
One of my favourite pieces of advice that I find is applicable to many is this: Live on less than you earn and if you find yourself in the fortunate position of getting a raise, do not increase your spending habits. Instead, consider contributing automatically to a savings account each month. For example, $50/month deposit results in $600 a year and $3,000 after five years, plus the interest you could earn. This is great for covering unexpected expenses without putting them on your credit card or taking out a high-cost loan.
What is your favourite meal to cook at home or order at a restaurant?
Brunch! I always look forward to Sunday when my son Devin comes over for brunch. We serve a classic meal of bacon, eggs, hash browns and fresh fruit. More often than not, we substitute bacon for healthier alternatives, however every now and then, we like to treat ourselves to the "good stuff". On the occasion we don’t feel like cooking, we will head to Cora’s and let them do the cooking for us. Their presentation is much nicer as well!
Email Caroline
