First Entertainment Credit Union

HQ
Los Angeles
225 Total Employees
25 Product + Tech Employees
Year Founded: 1967

First Entertainment Credit Union Leadership & Management

First Entertainment Credit Union Employee Perspectives

What’s a quotable hallmark of good management on your LA team? 

Teammates do their best work when they have clarity, context and trust. My job isn’t to have all the answers; it’s to remove obstacles, coach through challenges and create an environment where people can do their best work. On my team, we believe in communicating early, sharing the “why” before the “what,” and tackling challenges together. Creating that level of transparency and collaboration builds trust, strengthens teamwork and empowers everyone to contribute at their highest level. When teammates understand the purpose behind the work, they make better decisions, take greater ownership and feel more connected to the impact we’re creating together.

 

Which metric or practice shows it’s working?

For me, success isn’t just measured in dashboards; it’s visible in behavior. When teammates proactively collaborate, bring solutions instead of problems and confidently make decisions that align with our purpose, I know our leadership approach is working. We support that with consistent one-on-ones, coaching and recognition that reinforces our culture. Strong teammate engagement ultimately drives stronger member experiences and better business results.

 

What behavior models great management daily?

Great leadership isn’t built through one big moment — it’s built through consistent daily behaviors. I strive to be present, approachable and intentional with my team. That means listening before leading, giving timely feedback, recognizing hard work, having candid conversations and creating opportunities for growth. At the end of the day, leadership is about helping teammates become more capable than they ever believed they could be.

Heather Lewis
Heather Lewis, Senior VP, Chief Growth and Experience Officer

What People Are Saying About First Entertainment Credit Union

  • Strategic Vision & Planning: Leadership repeatedly defines an entertainment‑first mission—“the credit union for creators”—and aligns priorities around member experience, digital reach, and relationship-based banking. Public actions like launching CineFi and relaunching The A‑List reflect a coherent path to serve creatives beyond Los Angeles.
  • Strong Execution: Concrete initiatives are brought to market, including the CineFi digital brand, a cashless studio‑lot branch concept, and tiered relationship benefits tailored to irregular incomes. CEO letters cite delivered upgrades (technology, product, fee reductions) alongside financial results supporting follow‑through.
  • Open & Transparent Communication: CEO and board messages, annual reports, and press materials consistently articulate direction and operational priorities across multiple years. The strategic focus appears steady and clearly presented in official channels.

First Entertainment Credit Union's Benefits

Open office floor plan to encourage communication and collaboration

Uses an OKR operational model to clearly define goals and priorities

Utilizes an open door policy that encourages accessibility