Bret Fisher, CEO
March 25, 2026
What if sustainable growth isn’t about pushing performance harder, but about building the right culture? In this episode, Jami Jennings, VP Digital Solutions at Deda Sphere, is joined by guest Bret Fisher, President and CEO, CCUE of Achieve Credit Union, as they dive into insights from a Harvard Business Review study that reveals why organizations with a growth‑focused culture consistently outperform those obsessed solely with metrics.
Bret Fisher’s journey to becoming CEO of Achieve Credit Union wasn’t a traditional one. After nearly 20 years in the banking industry, he built a diverse career spanning retail banking, business banking, financial planning, insurance, and even a brief step outside of finance. While those experiences were valuable, the anxiety-driven, performance-focused culture of traditional banking didn’t align with his leadership philosophy— ultimately leading him to the credit union movement, where mission and member impact come first.
Bret joined Achieve Credit Union as Operations Manager, gaining a holistic view of the organization. When his predecessor approached retirement without a formal succession plan, Bret stepped up – leading key strategic initiatives and positioning himself for the role. Following a well-prepared leadership transition, he was appointed CEO at a pivotal time for the organization.
As CEO, Bret focused on transforming Achieve’s culture— shifting from fear-based performance management to one rooted in growth, purpose, and trust. By clearly defining the organization’s “why” and embedding it into daily operations, he created stronger alignment, accountability, and engagement across the team.
Tune in to learn:
- How Bret transitioned from traditional banking to purpose-driven credit union leadership
- Why defining and leading with a clear “why” drives organizational alignment
- How shifting from fear-based management to growth-focused leadership improves performance
- The role of transparency, accountability, and self-awareness in building strong teams
- How culture transformation led to measurable results—including significant loan growth and employee engagement
The impact was immediate. Achieve saw a 67% increase in loan production in a single year, introduced new incentive programs, awarded record staff bonuses, and expanded its community presence through financial education, competitive products, and charitable giving.
Today, Bret continues to lead with a focus on sustainable growth, modernizing branches, expanding into new communities, enhancing digital capabilities, and strengthening internal operations. His philosophy remains clear: lasting success starts with purpose, alignment, and a culture that prioritizes growth, accountability, and service.