Worcester Business Journal

6 Worcester Business Journal | May 1, 2023 | wbjournal.com P O W E R 5 0 B A N K I N G & F I N A N C E Residence: Marlborough College: University of Redlands in California, and the University of California Miyashiro started her credit union career as a teller in her senior year of college, and now she's the head of the largest credit union in Central Massachusetts. Like Miyashiro, DCU had to start at the bottom to get to the top. The credit union began as the credit union for the computing company Digital Equipment Corp. in Maynard, which was acquired by Compaq Computer Corp. in 1998. DCU has since become one of the region's most important banking institutions with $11.3 billion in total assets, more than quadruple the second largest credit union. Miyashiro started as president and CEO of DCU in August, and she has been charged with helping the credit union continue its evolution in the post-COVID world by trying to balance the hybrid world culture model while staying connected to its more than 1 million members. Miyashiro took over the position from Jim Regan, who retired after 13 years at the helm of DCU. She returned to Worcester after working as CEO of Orange County's Credit Union in California. n How should professionals best use the power they wield? "Leadership is built on open and transparent communication. The best way for a leader to use their power is to promote this philosophy. Employing this approach at DCU is how we will continue to innovate and grow our credit union, ensuring the best outcomes for our members, employees, and communities." n A homecoming: "My career took me to the West Coast, but I was raised in New England and taking the CEO position at DCU really felt like I had come full circle." SHRUTI MIYASHIRO PRESIDENT & CEO DCU – DIGITAL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, IN MARLBOROUGH EDWARD MANZI, JR. CHAIRMAN & CEO FIDELITY BANK, IN LEOMINSTER CARLA McCALL MANAGING PARTNER AAFCPAS, IN WESTBOROUGH Residence: Groton Colleges: UMass Lowell, Bentley University in Waltham Manzi has been leading Fidelity Bank since 1997 and has the distinction of being the longest-serving CEO at a Massachusetts community bank, helping to shape the Central Massachusetts business landscape. Last year alone, Fidelity extended more than $270 million in credit to businesses in the area, including in April when it loaned $30 million to Sudbury clean energy firm Gridwealth for solar projects in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. When Manzi started at Fidelity, the bank had $139 million in assets and five branches. Now, as of June, the bank has $1.4 billion in assets, with 14 branches and 151 employees. The bank is trying to stay up on technology and continue to modernize. As part of that, it's investing in more people and systems to help its clients navigate the new world of digital banking. Manzi pulls strings behind the scenes by serving on numerous boards in the area. He is the founder and chairman of the Worcester nonprofit Shine Initiative, whose mission is to combat discrimination and to destigmatize mental health conditions in youth. He's a member of the boards of the Co-operative Central Bank in Boston, the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Care Central VNA & Hospice in Gardner and Webster, and a member of the audit committee for the United Way of North Central Massachusetts. n How should professionals best use the power they wield? "Business professionals should recognize the privilege that comes with the power they have and strive to use it for the betterment of all stakeholders. The principles of conscious capitalism reject the idea that business success must come at the expense of others." n Tongue twister master: Manzi grew up in Webster and was a lifeguard at Memorial Beach for a number of years. He can accurately recite Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg. Residence: Hopedale College: Bentley University, in Waltham AAFCPAs is the second largest accounting firm in Central Massachusetts, and it's McCall's job to keep her 92 CPAs (58 local) on track and busy. In 2021, the firm launched its own automated initiative supported by its in-house data analytics and robotics process automation team to help its team meet results through a more efficient work environment, which includes a work- from-anywhere policy. While AAFCPAs has had plenty of success since it started in 1973, that doesn't mean it hasn't had to adapt to the modern workplace. The company has structured itself so partners receive compensation based on company success, and the company has two professional coaches to help the team grow. Under McCall's guidance, AAFCPAs is working toward a better future, or at least pushing its employees to think of their work as something beyond accounting. "We believe business is the conduit for social change," McCall said. "We want to improve the world. We aspire to do so with our actions, which speak louder than words. We hold each other accountable to promote kindness. We lead by example!" McCall has been recognized by her peers and been given the Most Powerful Women in Accounting by the AICPA/CPA Practice Advisor Magazine in both 2021 and 2022. She is nominated again in 2023. n How should professionals best use the power they wield? "Lead with authenticity and encourage others to do the same. Own your power, be confident and lead, but be humble, inspire others, lead with empathy, bring others up, and above all do the right thing. Never put your own interests before your team or your client." n Trying out the ivory keys: McCall studied piano for 13 years as a child. PHOTO | COURTESY OF DIGITAL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

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