07.30.25

Building Sustainable Success: Getting to Know Scott Pearl, CAE, CNP, BISA’s New Executive Director

by: BISA Staff and Scott Pearl, CAE, CNP

In June, BISA welcomed Scott Pearl, CAE, CNP, as our new executive director. BISA Portfolio staff sat down with Pearl to learn more about his professional approach to building on BISA’s legacy to enhance the member experience.

Welcome to BISA! We’re excited for this opportunity for the BISA community to get to know you as you step into this new role. What excites you most about leading this organization?

What excites me most is the passion for opportunity that I have witnessed already across our membership; from those who I’ve met and the relationships I’m building. It’s an opportunity to help BISA members navigate an industry that’s evolving faster than ever.

I’m driven by a need to make an impact and support others; in essence, to pay it forward. The professionals we serve — whether they’re helping families plan for retirement through annuities, managing wealth advisory relationships or ensuring compliance across complex regulatory environments — are doing work that fundamentally impacts people’s financial wellbeing and life outcomes. Looking at our industry through this lens makes it incredibly easy to see how our members make an impact on the communities they serve and the people within them. That’s a formidable place to be.

My experience across sectors has taught me that achieving sustainable success and measurable impact comes from staying ahead of change, rather than reacting to it. The bank and credit union channels have distinct and unique advantages — such as deep community relationships (often with deep roots in those communities as well), trusted advisor status, comprehensive service capabilities and brand equity — but professionals must have the tools, knowledge and networks to leverage those advantages effectively.

BISA is the place to make these things happen, and I’m particularly excited about helping to continue building our association into the vital resource and meeting place that it is becoming. Central to this work are three core or foundational elements that emerged from the BISA Annual Conference: gather, guide and grow. To me, it resonates with everything that BISA is and can be.

You’ve worked with a wide range of industries and organizations. How do you think those experiences have shaped your approach to leadership and to fostering member engagement?

Working across different sectors taught me that the fundamentals of effective leadership remain consistent, even when the context changes dramatically. Whether advising company boards across industries or senior leaders during a critical transformation period at one of the largest federal agencies, leading departments for some of the largest nonprofit organizations serving millions of students and families nationwide, driving hope for those affected by disabilities or rare diseases, or supporting our veterans and heroes — the core challenge is always the same: how do you create genuine value for the people you serve while building sustainable operations?

I’ve had the unique opportunity to work with corporate titans, philanthropists, government leaders, academics and so many others making an impact. What I learned from these individuals, mentors and positive psychology researchers as well is particularly relevant here — people and organizations thrive when they focus on what’s working well and build from those strengths, rather than constantly working to fix what’s broken. This concept can transform how we approach professional development and member services.

My experience has also shown me that authentic engagement happens when people see direct connections between organizational programming and their daily professional challenges. It’s not enough to provide generic networking or education — members need resources that help them excel in their specific roles and provides them the “how” rather than just the “why,” whether that’s understanding new products and platforms, navigating regulatory and compliance concerns on the horizon or building stronger customer relationships.

My goal, along with the amazing BISA team (board, members, staff, partners, and others), is to find ways to grow that connection to the “how” and continue to deliver the practical application, advice and support that our members need, building engagement that leads to member satisfaction. Members who are engaged — with products, programs, services, and networks that matter — will help us carry those benefits and the value of being a BISA member into new organizations, increasing reach and opportunities for professionals across the industry.

What are your first impressions of the BISA community and the role it plays in the broader financial services landscape?

BISA strikes me as a family — supportive, engaging, focused on learning, growing together and hopeful for what’s next. We serve professionals well who are essentially translating complex financial products into real-world solutions for individuals, families and businesses. That’s incredibly valuable — and increasingly challenging. As mediums for connection evolve, and products and regulations become more complex, the collaboration across our membership has been incredible to observe. The ‘family’ is moving forward as a unit, growing together, sharing, connecting, networking, learning and more.

What strikes me about this community is the sophistication required to succeed as well. A wealth manager working through a community bank isn’t just selling products — they’re serving as trusted advisors helping families navigate retirement planning, wealth transfer and maybe trusts and risk management. Credit union professionals must balance member service with cooperative principles while competing effectively against much larger institutions.

The regulatory environment alone requires constant learning. Between banking regulations, securities oversight, insurance compliance and fiduciary standards — all of which I am learning more about — BISA members operate in one of the most complex professional environments. And somehow, they make this complexity accessible and actionable for customers and members who want straightforward solutions.

I see tremendous opportunities to strengthen BISA’s role in helping members stay ahead of these challenges through programming, professional development, networking, events and other offerings that anticipate change rather than just respond to it. I see BISA filling in the gaps, guiding our members to solve the unexpected. Thinking of it again as a family, I’m confident that our members will continue to come together and grow. 

Throughout your career, you’ve been recognized as an innovative and collaborative leader. What leadership qualities or principles do you feel are most important as you step into this new role?

I shared earlier a bit about my learnings from mentors and others. For me, it boils down to three principles that guide my approach:

Focus on what works: My exposure to the world of positive psychology taught me that sustainable improvement comes from identifying and scaling best practices rather than constantly addressing problems. Instead of just discussing industry challenges, I want BISA to spotlight members, individuals and organizations who are excelling and help others learn from their approaches.

Practical value over theory: Whether leading efforts at organizations impacting millions of people or advising during critical transformation periods, I’ve learned that sustainable change requires practical, actionable solutions. BISA programming has and will continue to directly enhance members’ ability to serve their customers and members effectively.

Collaborative growth: Having worked across diverse stakeholder groups, I understand that everyone’s success is interconnected. The wealth manager at a community bank and the compliance officer at a credit union may face different daily challenges, but they’re part of the same ecosystem and can learn from each other. In fact, throughout my career, I have often asked team members to rotate into different positions across the organization to gain perspective. Often, I’ve seen the best advice come from the least expected sources.

Most importantly, I believe leadership means creating conditions where others can excel, rather than being the center of attention myself. It’s great to work with such a committed board, partners, staff and friends — new and old — across the industry. I’m excited for what the future holds for BISA and our members.

Do you have any guiding principles around bringing people together and building strong, supportive communities?

I have been fortunate to have served organizations from two-person start-up ventures to organizations with millions of members and tens of thousands of chapters and units. When I think about the principles behind what has worked for me and these organizations, I am led to the core philosophy centered on the BISA conference theme; again, it focuses on gather, guide, and grow — it encompasses much of what is needed to bring people together and keep them engaged:

Gather: Bringing together the people, insights, intelligence and best practices our members need to stay ahead of change. This means not just collecting information, but curating and contextualizing it so it becomes actionable for every level in our membership and their different roles and institutional sizes. BISA should be top of mind as the destination for anyone in the field to connect, advance and thrive — or help others do so.

Guide: Professional development that genuinely advances careers and capabilities. Rather than generic training, this means programming like BISA offers — helping wealth managers become better advisors; compliance professionals to stay ahead of regulatory changes;  sales managers and product or program heads effectively lead and grow competency, capability and capacity of their teams; and business development professionals build stronger relationships.

Grow: Networks and relationships that make everyone stronger. Some of the most valuable learning happens in conversations between peers facing similar challenges, whether they are in the same channel or not. The key is creating multiple ways for people to connect and learn from each other, whether they can attend in-person events, need virtual options or want to introduce BISA to others. The more BISA grows, the more our members grow too.

I also believe in making participation meaningful regardless of institutional size or geographic location. A professional at a $50 million community bank should find the same value as someone from a $5 billion or $50 billion institution. To do so, we have to ensure the content is ready, relevant and responsive to their needs, helping to create opportunity.

What are some of your personal interests or passions outside of work that you’d like BISA members to know about you?

I enjoy boating and family time — activities that are about building bonds for the future. There’s something about being on the water that creates space for deeper conversations and stronger relationships. Those moments of connection carry over into professional settings because they remind you that business relationships are ultimately human relationships. Family time has taught me the importance of long-term thinking and building trust over time rather than looking for quick wins; it’s about devoting your whole self and being present in the moment, capturing the smiles and being there for others which always creates a win. Those same principles apply to member engagement and professional development — sustainable success comes from consistent value delivery and authentic relationship building, focusing on more than oneself but on improving the lives of others — exactly what our members do every day for families and businesses in their communities.

Finally, what would you like BISA members to know about your approach to working with them and supporting their needs?

My approach is built on accessibility and practical value. I believe in regular, direct communication with members and making strategic decisions based on your input, rather than assumptions about what you need. It’s important that I know what our members are wanting, needing and hoping for — and it’s fine if that’s in their personal lives too. It’s the organizations and individuals within them that we are looking to engage with at BISA. The only way that BISA grows — for us and for our members — is to be an organization that you can turn to at all stages of life and career, to connect and learn from others.

I’m committed to developing resources that enhance your professional effectiveness rather than just checking boxes for continuing education requirements. Whether that’s compliance tools that save time, market intelligence that informs strategy or professional development that advances careers, everything should connect directly to your success. But again, this can only happen with your insight. Be sure to share your thoughts with us — how can we improve or deliver more, and what do you expect from us. It’s about mutual growth and to help us on the path, I encourage everyone to reach out to us at bisa@bisanet.org and share your thoughts with our entire team. We will work hard to meet the needs of our members, things that we can only know if you share.

I also believe in meeting members where you are. Not everyone can attend the annual conference, and not every institution has the same resources or faces identical challenges. Programming and support should work for community banks and large credit unions, for seasoned professionals and those new to the industry. We want to serve our C-suite members and deliver the resources and connections others need at various stages in their career. Help us be your best partner in the industry by sharing your feedback.

Most importantly, and I hope it’s apparent, I see my role as enabling your success, rather than building my own profile. If BISA members are thriving — serving customers and members effectively, growing professionally, building stronger businesses — then BISA is fulfilling its mission. Let’s build a stronger BISA together. 

Anything else you would like to share?

I want members to know that I understand the responsibility that comes with this role. The professionals BISA serves are managing significant financial relationships and helping families achieve financial security. Your expertise and integrity have a direct impact on the wellbeing of countless individuals and communities. My experience leading operations and other key functions at organizations serving large populations taught me that behind every statistic is a real person with real needs. The family planning for retirement or ways to support others, the small business exploring options for growth and all those wanting to grow their assets and resources — they all depend on the expertise and dedication of professionals like those BISA serves.

The financial services landscape will continue evolving, but the fundamental value of trusted advisors who can translate complexity into actionable solutions will only increase. I’m excited to work with all of you to strengthen those capabilities and advance the profession. Don’t keep this a secret; bring others into the BISA fold. Introduce them to us and we’ll be sure to welcome them into the family with open arms. Send them to bisanet.org.

The work you do matters, and my commitment is to ensure BISA provides the support, resources and community you need to excel at it. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to serve you and all BISA members — now and into the future.

Scott Pearl, CAE, CNP

BISA Executive Director