ACE25: Kim Lear on Preparing for the Future, One Generation at a Time
Friday morning at ACE25 continued with a keynote that challenged attendees to think deeply about how generational forces are reshaping leadership, the workplace and member expectations.
Kim Lear, founder of Inlay Insights and author of the popular Substack Kids These Days, delivered her presentation, “Prepare for the Future: Decoding the Generational Trends Shaping the Next Era.”
Lear, a nationally recognized researcher and speaker, explored how different generations engage with work, technology and financial institutions — and what that means for the future of the credit union movement.
Her keynote, based in part on her Filene whitepaper Decoding Generational Dynamics, focused on understanding generational behaviors not as stereotypes, but as adaptive responses to changing environments and cultural conditions.
One of the most optimistic shifts Lear highlighted was the changing nature of aging itself. Today’s Baby Boomers, she noted, are far more engaged with new technology than previous generations at the same life stage. For credit unions, this means an opportunity to reach Boomers through digital tools and platforms as well as traditional messaging.
Generation X, by contrast, was described as the most skeptical generation. Lear emphasized how that skepticism has influenced everything from media to workplace communication. Credit unions, she advised, should be prepared to anticipate and thoughtfully respond to this group’s desire for transparency and authenticity, especially as Gen X continues to rise in leadership and financial decision-making roles.
When it came to Millennials, Lear described them as collaborative, empowered and in search of meaning, but also risk-averse and sensitive to how organizations reflect their values. She shared this insight: while Millennials often express interest in mission-based organizations, there’s a notable gap between their ideals and actual consumption behaviors.
Credit unions must bridge this gap by clearly communicating how the movement has evolved over the past 15 years, and how it continues to adapt to meet both technological and values-based expectations.
Lear also shared a practical tip for retaining younger team members: the importance of that first performance review. “When young employees leave a job,” she said, “it’s almost always tied to that first review.” She encouraged leaders to think critically about how performance is communicated early in a new employee’s journey.
She further highlighted that credit unions can create meaningful loyalty by recognizing life stages. For team members starting families, giving them some of their time back — whether through flexible scheduling or added support — can be both personally meaningful and a pathway to a more efficient work life.
Looking ahead to Gen Z and beyond, Lear described how the youngest potential credit union members are looking for ultra-personalized, tech-enabled services that help them optimize their time and simplify financial decisions. They expect platforms and services to work specifically for them, not just with them.
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