Beem and Pathwise Credit Union Announce Secondment
Collaboration Announcement: Strengthening Our Co-Operative Roots
We’re proud to share an important update that reflects a key co-operative principle: cooperation among co-operatives.
Leadership Secondment to Foster Partnership
Beem Credit Union’s Chief Partner Experience Officer, Ian Thomas, will take on a secondment as Interim CEO at Pathwise Credit Union in Ontario. This opportunity represents our shared commitment to partnership, community values, and growth opportunities in the credit union sector.
“This opportunity is about more than leadership, it’s about partnership. By collaborating, both organizations can share ideas, learn from each other, and explore new ways to grow in an evolving market. Cooperation is in our DNA. It’s what brought credit unions into existence and what continues to inspire us today. I look forward to working closely with the team and providing leadership during this period,” said Ian Thomas, Interim CEO at Pathwise Credit Union.
“We’re really excited to have Ian join us,” said Derek Giberson, Board Chair at Pathwise Credit Union. “This secondment is a great example of what makes credit unions unique—how we work together, share ideas, and uncover new ways to create value for our members. A big thank you to the Beem leadership team for working with us, supporting our vision, and helping us grow in our journey as partners.”
Staying Strong Through Cooperation
While Ian will dedicate most of his time to supporting Pathwise Credit Union and their leadership, he will continue to support Beem in the role of Chief Partner Experience Officer.
“As credit unions continue to navigate large transformative changes including new technology advancements, modernizing banking platforms, and evolving the member experience, working together as partners is how we can stay strong and ready for the future,” said Beem CEO Brian Harris. “I’m proud of our team who has the unique expertise to support and step in when needed. Ian’s experience with Beem and his past role as a CEO with BlueShore Financial, and in the Ontario market, gives both organizations a great opportunity to collaborate, share ideas, and explore new ways to grow.”
About Beem Credit Union
Beem is a new credit union with a history that extends back more than eight decades, when its founding credit unions were formed. Rising to the rapidly evolving challenges of the financial services industry and inspired by cooperative values, our founding credit unions recognized that we can do more together. United as Beem, we are combining our strengths to better serve our members. Beem is one of BC’s largest provincially regulated credit unions, supporting the financial wellness of 200,000 members from 66 branches across the province with $18 billion in assets under administration.
About Pathwise Credit Union
Pathwise Credit Union's story began in 1938 when Oshawa, Ontario autoworkers, fresh from their historic victory in the 1937 GM strike—a watershed moment in Canadian labour history—came together to form the Auto Workers Credit Union. In the 87 years since, it continues to be a pillar of community strength. Rebranded in 2020, Pathwise continues its journey to reflect a broadening member base across the region. For more information, please visit www.pathwise.ca.
Media Contact: Andrew Rathwell, Public Relations Manager
Tel: 250 818 2669
Email: arathwell@beemcreditunion.ca
Web: beemcreditunion.ca