Episode 28: Brendan Reimer | Business as a Force for Good
56 mins
Brendan Reimer is Assiniboine Credit Union’s (ACU) Strategic Partner, Values-Based Banking. In this role, he serves as a strategic adviser to the CEO and senior management team regarding values-based banking initiatives. In addition, Brendan supports the Board and committees to meet the objectives set out in ACU’s Values-based Banking Policy and action framework. He helps ACU embed the principles and practices of values-based banking into the credit union's core functions and daily work.
Brendan's early days in Paraguay set the stage for his passion and commitment to social justice. His parents were actively involved in community development and social justice, and their influence echo throughout Brendan's life path. Brendan’s early career found him working in the restorative justice field, and he ran a social enterprise with men with various disabilities. Currently, Brendan provides leadership as the co-chair of the Canadian Credit Union Association’s Community Impact Committee. He volunteers as a board member with both SEED Winnipeg and the Manitoba Real Estate Association Shelter Foundation. Brendan is a passionate educator and organizer dedicated to creating inclusive, fairer, and more sustainable economies and communities and has worked effectively with academia, governments, the private sector, and community organizations in advancing that vision.
When we asked Brendan what motivates and inspires him each day, he told us he is relentlessly hopeful and optimistic that something better is possible. “Hope is so important, the belief that something better is possible is so important, and creating places where everyone feels they belong and are valued is so vital.” Both at ACU and through his volunteer roles in the community, Brendan seizes opportunities to create a world that we all want to live in by giving people hope, breaking down barriers, and building systems where everyone has the chance to live a holistically good life.
Our conversation with Brendan is as inspiring as it is broad. From the incredible work ACU is doing in the community, to living and managing by values, to a discussion about B Corps and the ability of business to be a force for good, we dive deep, and we learn a lot. This conversation will leave you yearning to live your purpose and take a holistic approach to your life and work. Please enjoy our conversation with Brendan Reimer, Assiniboine Credit Union’s Strategic Partner, Values-Based Banking.
Assiniboine Credit Union was created for Manitobans in 1943. It is still working for Manitobans now. To learn more about ACU, check out their origin story here.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or your favourite podcast platform.