Hello, and welcome to another edition of Good
News York, sponsored by Ads on the Go. Getadsonthego
.com. Matt's not with me here today. I think
he's out looking for the abominable snowman.
Who knows? But I am joined by a very special
guest remotely today, someone who I tried to
interview a few days ago, but because of the
snowstorm, the... interview got canceled or interrupted.
We don't know what happened. If it was me, if
it was her, doesn't matter because she's here
now. Disney on Ice presents Road Trip Adventures
December 26 and 29th, 29th, excuse me, at Upstate
Medical University Arena at the On Center War
Memorial. Get your tickets at Ticketmaster .com.
And joining me from Disney on Ice, one of the
characters who we will not tell you who that
is. One of the many characters, I should say.
Actress, figure skater, and just all -around
great person, Gwyneth Setter. Gwyneth! Hello!
How are you? Thank you for having me. It's good
to see you. You too. So, I want to start off.
Your background is really, really impressive.
You began ice skating at quite a young age, and
your family did have a lot to do with that. Tell
us about how it all began. I know Your aunt was
a figure skater. Your mom was involved Yeah,
so my mom and my aunt both grew up figure skating
my mom started like she went her birthday party
really loved it and Then my mom that her grandmother
were my grandmother her mom signed her up for
it and then her sister followed and I grew up
skating their whole lives and Then when I was
little I would go and watch my aunt, because
my aunt decided to continue it professionally.
And she would do Disney on Ice and other contracts.
And I would go visit her and watch her. And it
was really cool. And I really looked up to her.
And then when I turned 18, Ira was like, yes,
I really want to do that as well. So I auditioned
for Disney on Ice. And I got a contract. And
then we both ended up being able to tour together.
So it's really cool. That's amazing. Yeah. Tell
us about the experience for trying out for Disney
on Ice. What's that process like? Because, you
know, in theater, or actually in film or TV,
a lot of times you go in person and you do a
monologue, or you dance, or you send in a reel.
But with the figure skating element involved,
what was that process like? Yeah, so... I had
to submit a whole audition video of the things
that they're looking for, like choreography,
tricks that you have, just showing off your personality
and who you were. I submitted that when I had
just got out of high school, 18, and then it
took months. to like back and forth for kind
of response of what they're looking for, what
they needed to see. And I also ended up submitting
a pair video of me doing pairs just to show them
what else I could do. And after months later,
they responded and had a spot for me, which was
like the dream come true. Wow. And you know,
so with Disney on ice, there's obviously the
ice element, right? There's the figure skating
element that's. That's all you've known. That's
all you've worked so hard at. But obviously,
when you're putting on a performance for Disney
on Ice, there's an element of acting. Is that
something you had experience in, or was it something
that you kind of had to learn on the fly? Yeah,
so I never did anything in school or anything
related to acting, but like I said... in, for
example, we portray things like flowers and bumblebees,
and we have to know how to move our bodies and
portray that role out there on the ice. So it
is a little bit of thinking, but the choreography
helps. They'll give you what you need. And of
course, a flower is going to flow through the
wind, so we're going to use our hands like we're
flying through the wind. I love that. It's brilliant.
Aside from your mom and your aunt, who were obviously
big influences on your career, did you have any
influences outside of your family that kind of,
that as you were growing up, you looked up to,
whether it was in acting or skating? I mean,
my coaches were a big part. I wouldn't want to
be where I am without them, of course. And some
of them were Olympians. Some of them were just
really competitive skaters, and they helped me
a lot. But it was mostly family that really was
the biggest influence. And my grandmother was
the one who took me to all the practices, made
sure I made it to dance for because you need
a ballet to do ice skating, like just the arm
movements and everything. And the gym, my mom
was a personal trainer. She helped me a lot with
working out and building up that strength and
endurance to be able to skate out there. So there's
a lot of family that really came together to
help me be where I am today, for sure. Yeah,
it sounds like, I mean, it sounds like you were
really set up for success. I mean, you were surrounded
by not only a family that was completely supportive
of this as a career choice, but that had a ton
of experience in all of it. So at what point,
you know, with athletes especially, there comes
like this, I don't want to say a crossroads,
but there comes a time when you start realizing
that either, wow, you know what, I'm good enough
to like really make this a career professionally
or sometimes, You know what? I just don't have
it. At what point do you realize like, hey, I've
got the talent to do this. And but also, when
did you realize that you wanted to turn this
into a career? I mean, we've been training like
our whole lives and some people take that competitive
route and want to just competition competition.
I really knew I wanted to do this. when I started
to go visit my aunt at like the age eight or
nine and I just saw how cool of a job it was.
She took me backstage um a little later on like
around 15, 16 so I could kind of see what goes
on back there and then I just knew after that
I was like this is what I want to do. No I wasn't
very into competitions because they really made
me nervous and it just wasn't my I don't know
just wasn't my thing. I just wanted to have fun
with skating and show off my personality and
just I just wanted people to look and be like,
oh my gosh, I was having fun, you know? Well,
you do that. And it's pretty clear that that's
what's going on. You worked so hard for this.
What was your vision of a career in skating,
though? Was Disney on Ice something you were
shooting for from the beginning? Or was it something,
I mean, obviously you said, you know, you watch
your aunt do it. So I'm assuming maybe that was
always the goal. Or did you kind of have other
visions of maybe, you know, competing, even though
I know you said it makes you nervous? Yeah. No,
never. Like I stopped competing very young and
I just wanted to work hard because I knew shows.
I guess it necessarily didn't have to be Disney.
That was definitely the top goal. But when I
turned that age of 18 and I knew shows were hiring,
I applied everywhere I could to try and get a
contract because there's so many of us and not
a lot of shows always. Oh, absolutely. You know,
when I was younger, I did some community theater
and academic theater. And one thing I remember
being so intense was in between scenes, sometimes
people don't realize there are these really intense
wardrobe changes where you run off stage and
people are undressing you and dressing you so
you can get right back out there. I actually
thought about this question on the way here today.
I was like, man, how do you do that? with ice
skates. Is there is that an extra element of
of like stress and making it tougher? How do
you get around work around that? Yeah, I mean,
there are some quick changes. We all of our costume
have have zippers in the legs, so they're very
easily able to fit our ice skate through. But,
you know, there's wigs, there's. Different talks
like many different zippers clips everything
I think one of the fastest changes in not our
show in particular but in another one was 30
seconds So it's very fast similar to what you're
saying with musical theater But there is always
somebody there to help and make sure we're out
there on time for sure. That's amazing Yeah,
did you when you got the Disney on ice gig, you
know, I'm assuming You take what you get, but
was there ever a moment where you're like, you
have your sights set on a character that you
were hoping you would play? And if not or if
so, also, what would be your dream character
to play for Disney? Oh, my gosh. I mean, I always
wanted to be a princess, of course. Yes. That's
like the goal. But I have gotten to portray.
In our show, we have a princess number. Where
all the princesses come out and I have gotten
to do Rapunzel before so that was really cool
But never like a segment of the show I really
wanted to do the Rapunzel segment, which we unfortunately
don't have but in the future maybe I would really
look forward to trying that out Disney if you're
listening, I know you are Rapunzel let's make
it happen. Yeah If you can walk us through, I'm
fascinated by, you know, walk us through a day
or a week in the life of a Disney on Ice performer,
you know, the rehearsals, the performances, maybe
even some of your downtime. I imagine it's a
pretty rigorous or hectic schedule. Yeah, it
depends on the week, but usually Monday through
Wednesday for the ice skaters, we have time off
to just relax, explore where we are. We're in
a different place every single week, so there's
always some place to go, try a cafe, a restaurant,
or just landmarks or things that we've never
seen before. And then we have a validation day
where all of our aerial acts will go in. And
it's usually a Thursday or Friday, depending
on when we have the show. And we will have to
reverse just the flies and make sure everyone
is set to go for the weekend that we have ahead.
And then for the rest of the weekend, it shows.
But depending on if like last week we had...
three shows, three days in a row. So that was
a lot of work we had in a row that we weren't
really at the hotel much. But depending on the
city, if we have two shows and sometimes we can
grab dinner after or other times, we're just,
you know, at work. But it's all fun. Yeah, it's
really cool. You know, obviously you get to travel
all over the world doing this. What are some
of your favorite parts of traveling and then
also your least favorite parts? Yeah, I say I
just like experiencing like the cultures of where
we're going. We've been in Australia, Japan,
the UK, like everything everywhere is so different.
My biggest struggle though is sometimes finding
the things you want in the grocery stores. It's
so silly but when you live on the road and you
are like cooking and making sure you're You want
you're like getting proper nutrition sometimes
you're like, I'm vegetarian too. So it's a little
bit harder But sometimes you're like, oh, I don't
know what this is or I don't know isn't a different
language Yes, I'd say like the language barrier
and grocery shopping. It's so funny, but you
know, that's yeah, that's a great answer that's
exactly why I was asking because we think of
Performers that that go on the road we think
about all the fun times and going out and enjoying
things I love getting into the minutia of the
day -to -day things like Where do you find toothpaste?
You know? Yeah. You know what I mean? If you're
gluten -free, how do you find that? So I totally
get that. Do you have a list or maybe even a
favorite place that you have visited? Or maybe
that, like, you visited and it just blew your
mind? Yeah. So many, because I've been so aware.
So many places. But I really enjoy Thailand.
I think, like... you were getting dinner for
a dollar and the markets were just insanely big
and you were touching elephants and feeding them
bananas like it was mind -blowing to me. I loved
like any city vibe so anywhere in the UK and
like London area was amazing. Japan, there's
just so different from Maritza, so like polite,
respectful. They just are so happy to see other
people visiting their country. I don't know I
felt the safest I've ever felt there as well.
Like it's very respectable country. It's very
different. That's amazing. I traveled quite a
bit as a performer over the years and I found
that one of the best things you can do is I always
would find Locals and I would say tell me like
what it what do I have to have whether it's food
and experience Do you do the same thing? Because
that's like my favorite thing to do when I'm
traveling. Yeah, it's actually funny because
a lot of us take Ubers or lists like places.
So we'll always ask our Uber driver and usually
ends up being like, oh, yeah, don't hear you.
Because they're used to talking to all these
people. But yeah, that's similar. That's where
it's at. You can you can look on TripAdvisor
or Yelp or whatever. Google reviews. But the
best review you can get is straight from. you
know, someone who lives there or works there.
You perform for a lot of people on a weekly basis,
and your primary target audience is obviously
children. I've taken my kids to Disney on Ice.
I've taken my wife to Disney on Ice. I got to
hear that. It's time for a wholesome moment.
What's, like, the cutest thing a child has done
or said to you at a show? Because I know that's
probably, like, the most rewarding part of it.
Yeah, I mean, it's honestly they're so cute.
Um, we have so many interactive moments and I
was doing the one where we would pull some family
up to ride inside the Magic Mobile, which comes
out with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy. And
the kids' faces when that would come out and
they'd realize that they would get to go on that
was like, it was so cute. They're like, we get
to ride on that? That's for us? So many cute
things. And just the high fives, they'll run
up to the ice if they see any type of character
and wanna. They just get so happy. Even mothers
or fathers of faces are wide open when they see
the character come down the aisle. It's so funny.
Amazing. I just actually thought of a question
as you were speaking. In theater and in performance,
a lot of times there are understudies for the
purpose of people get sick, things happen. With
ice skating, there's obviously, outside of the
acting and theatrics, there's a athletic element
to it, and injuries happen. Do you find that
you guys have kind of two or three people that
play one character in case of that? How does
that work? Yeah, we do have understudies. Everyone
gets three, sometimes four. And just like you
said, an injury happens. Or just to change it
up, Sometimes you don't want to do the same thing
over and over again every week. And there's other
people that are good at the same thing. So give
them an opportunity and just everyone is we're
all professionals and good at what we do. So
I really show it gives us a break. Gwyneth, another
question I just thought of is you're very young.
So this is something that's probably not something
you have to worry about right now. But as you
get older, you're going to find, trust me, I'm
old. There are going to be days where you wake
up and you're going to go, oof, I'm a little
sore. Yeah. Is there a team that aids with training
and recovery? Is that something you do on your
own? And what does that look like for some of
the performers? Good question. So we have an
athletic trainer. I'll shout him out. It's Jay.
And he is really amazing. He's with us full time,
always when we're working all day, every day.
And anytime we need something, we can go into
his office. His office is always set up backstage.
And he's in charge of all medical for the show
and make sure we're in tip top shape for everything
that we do. Awesome. It takes a village. One
more question and then I want to do some rapid
-fire questions before we get out of here is
Gwyneth Setter You're amazing Disney on ice Actress
performer ice skater. Actually, what would you
what is your title? Actually, what would I say
the Gwyneth Setter? I'm a performer. I love it
Um, I don't usually like to ask a question like
this because it can come across as kind of a
hacky question But I think it just applies for
this for this interview and for this situation
So I have a daughter who's 11, and she's been
dancing since she's probably been four, and she's
really, really good at it. And I'm not just saying
that because I'm her dad. It's like we were talking
earlier. You start realizing, like, whoa, she's
really good. Do you have any advice for young
girls who might want to pursue a career in skating
or performing? Any advice at all, or even things
not to do? Yeah, I mean. Obviously, keep working
at what you're doing. If your child or any young
girl loves what they're doing and has a really
good coach, the coaches are a big part of it.
I always say to the parents, make sure you go
talk to the coach and make sure it's what you
would want for your daughter. But yeah, if you
just keep working towards it and try new things
too, if there's other sports or other activities
that interest, Any of the girls out there boys
out there then you should give it a shot And
you never know like just keep working like I
did and you could be end up here. I Love that's
perfectly said Gwyneth setter Disney on ice.
I'd like to do oh I would like to do a couple
series of Rapid -fire questions if that's possible,
of course you down for that. Yeah. All right.
All right, let's do it. Nothing major. Here you
go Start the music. No, I'm kidding. I don't
have any music. All right, here we go. Question
one. Favorite Disney princess. Rapunzel. Oh,
very good. I should have known that one. Least
favorite villain in a Disney movie. Ursula. Good
choice. I always think of Gaston. He always made
me so angry. Oh, yeah, he's terrible. You know
what? No, you're right. Ursula stole her voice.
That was messed up. All right, favorite ice skater.
Can I say my aunt? Oh my god, that's the cutest
answer. I should be mad, but I can't. That's
too good. Okay. Favorite food on the road. Yogurt.
Yogurt? Yeah. You are... Disciplined young lady,
I'm impressed. Pineapple on pizza, yes or no?
Absolutely not. Uh -uh. Thank you. I thought
for sure you were going to say yes. You know,
I thought the Disney world, you're open minded.
It's magical. Thank you. Pineapple does not belong
on pizza. It belongs on yogurt. Yes, or yogurt.
Coffee, yes or no? And if so, what's your order?
I'm not a big coffee person. I cannot do the
caffeine, so no. That's fair. That's fair. Dream
role to play, whether it's Disney or not. Honestly,
Any Princess would be amazing to play as just
a segment role. All right. And two more. Your
dream place to visit or even live someday that
you haven't been to yet. I want to go to Korea,
so bad. I have never been, but I'm into, like,
all the skincare and everything. Really want
to go. I love it. My daughter's into that, too.
She does all these videos where she gets ready
and she knows more about makeup than my wife.
It's insane. All right, last one. I think I know
the answer to this, but I'm just going to say,
if you had to choose, skating or acting, which
one is it? Skating, but you need acting to be
able to skate in the show, so both. Well said.
Gwyneth Setter, Disney on Ice. Disney on Ice
presents Road Trip Adventures, December 26th
to the 29th at the Upstate Medical University
Arena at the On Center War Memorial. Tickets,
family -friendly pricing. Get them now at ticketmaster
.com or in person at the venue box office. Absolute
last thing, Gwyneth. Do you have anything you
want to plug, anything you want to say, promote
before we go? No, it's just a great gift for
the holidays and it would be amazing to see all
your families here to watch us and be able to
cheer on your favorite characters all in one
place. Well, Gwyneth Setter, you are a very impressive
young woman. Thank you so much for giving us
your time. We wish you the best of luck with
Disney on Ice, and we will see you December 26th
through 29th right here in Syracuse for Disney
on Ice. Presents Road Trip Adventures, Gwen's
Center. Thank you. And with that, it is another
edition of Good News York. Matt's coming in later.
He's got an interview all lined up after this.
I'm saying goodbye to you. Happy holidays. Merry
Christmas to everybody. Be safe. Have fun. Remember,
you can follow Good News York on all socials
at Good News York, GoodNewsYork .com. New episodes
Monday through Thursday at 5 p .m. Eastern. And
I am Mike Brindisi. You can follow me on socials
at MikeBTV. And it is Good News York, sponsored
by ads on the go. Get ads on the go .com. See
you soon. Hey, guys. Welcome back to Good News
York. I'm Matt Measher from Clickstream Studios.
We are joined by a really, really incredible
guest. We've got a lot of really fun things to
talk about in the community. But let's jump right
in. I am joined by Kristin Thompson -Henry. Did
I get that right? You did. Beautiful. Beautiful.
And you are the Community Impact Officer. I am.
At Empire Credit Union. That's correct. Is that
all right? I know. I got it right on the first
try, guys. All right. This is cool. Kristin.
What do you do? What is this? What's this community
impact all about? So I do a lot of things actually,
but my primary focus is financial literacy. So
I specialize and the department that I'm in specializes
in financial education K through 12. So our days
can look very different from day to day. And
we kind of go in and support the teachers and
bring some sort of financial literacy program
to the students and that may look different depending
on the age group that we're in. So for instance
K -3 might be a simple thing as like bringing
a book in and reading to the classroom but it
has some sort of undertone talking about wants
versus needs and having the kids kind of understand
that concept. And then when we get into kind
of the middle score age we have them kind of
pair up into teams, groups. and really kind of
work on the budgeting exercise where we give
them an envelope of things, where they live,
how much debt they're in, all that other stuff.
They got to work as a team to stay within budget,
pay their bills. Now, those are always interesting
because they have to be dealt with what they're
given, but also they can't change their family.
The group they're working with, they're that
nuclear family right there. And it's really just
kind of teaching them the foundation of budgeting
and trying to course correct if you get caught
off guard with expenses. But the meat and potato
of our financial literacy program is something
that we call mad sitting money. And that is for
our juniors and seniors. We tend to keep it there
because there's an expectation that they know
a little bit about credit score and credit cards
and things like that. But that's really our financial
simulations that we bring into the school. Again,
we transport them five years in advance. They're
already working in their career. Some of them
have a dual income. They all will have debt,
depending on the profession that they are given.
They might have a student loan. And then they
have to go through mad sending money and make
real life decisions such as car, housing, food,
health insurance, kids. And some of those tables
will be limited depending on their credit score
and what that will look like for them. So it's
a very real world experience, really one -on
-one, adulting one -on -one. I think the kids
usually come out with either... They always learn
something, but some kids say, I need to go home
and thank my parents. And we're like, yeah, you
do. That's incredible. What inspired a credit
union to launch such a program? Yeah, I think,
you know, the credit union is really a foundation
of a financial institution, helping people, helping
people. It is a really simple concept, but one
that I think in today's world everyone needs.
You know, what we kind of pride ourselves on
at Empower, we do, when you go into a branch
of ours and you are a member, if you're not recognized
by a union, you're certainly recognized by things.
that you felt like your family when you come
in. Because discussing finances are not always
the most comfortable thing to do. And so we want
to make sure that we're meeting people where
they are and listening to what they actually
are needing from us. And a big part of that is
education. And so if we can start early and giving
them the foundation of what finances will look
like. I think we're gonna be on a path for that
generational wealth that we're ultimately trying
to strive for at the credit union. That's incredible.
Excuse me. What an incredible just investment
in the community to be made there. If you wouldn't
mind, tell me a little bit about the folks you
work with. Do you have a whole team? Is this
a division or how does that work? We have a team.
There's four of us, both or not. You have four
of us that actually do that financial literacy
program. And you folks go right in the schools
yourselves and present it. Yeah, we do we also
you know provide some of the some of our Partners
with you know online education materials so that
they can you know do it themselves But a lot
of the times the teachers are like no it'll come
better coming from you So we'll go in as a guest
speaker and kind of liven things up a little
bit And and there's four of us we we kind of
are in every school district that we we are asked
to be in. And it's a free program. I need to
lead with that. It's free. As long as we have
the time and the need is there, we will try to
be there. That's incredible. It is. It's so necessary
too. It's one of those things that you almost
think, well, don't they just do that naturally
in school? And unfortunately... So when I was
growing up, this was never a thing. We took math,
we took English, we took science, and that financial
literacy component is now starting to be more
introduced into the curriculum. So us adding
this extra sort of support, I think is valued
by the teacher because it is part of their curriculum
now. And we're adding a bunch of things into
it. We're supporting it so that it is more personable,
more hands -on, more conversational. Because
we don't want to be lectured about our finances
ever, right? It has to be a conversation. So
I think it goes both ways. That's incredible.
I remember when I was a kid, we had savings accounts
from the local bank. But that was as far as it
went. That was the extent of financial literacy
is... is put a dollar in it every week, you know,
and that'll, your life will be great, I guess.
It didn't quite work out that way, but I love
this. I love hearing about this. So you're also
doing some other things, right? Out in the community,
you're out giving some grants and feeding some
folks and doing all kinds of things. Tell me
a little bit about, first and foremost, what
you've been doing with the Syracuse women's basketball
team. Awesome. OK. So another side of my job
is to work with nonprofits, putting our support
towards organizations that help members of our
community the most. And that can look in the
form of a financial contribution. They can also
look in terms of time and talent of our employees
giving to that organization. So I helped facilitate
that in my role. So with Syracuse basketball,
we are very excited because we had an agreement
with them where, you know, Syracuse women's basketball
and that we had a free throw contest. throughout
their season, and we're still in the season,
but so far, anyone that made a three -for -all
contest, whoever made it could get $25, and it
would benefit the Food Bank of Central New York.
So we ran this from the beginning of the season
until probably about the end of November, right
before Thanksgiving. and equal it out to being
about $8 ,600 just off of that contest. So that
means a lot of people went up and tried their
hand at free -throwing and made the baskets.
Sounds like they're pretty good, too. That translated
into doing good in our community. And of course,
the Food Bank of Central New York is just one
of the most vital nonprofits, feeding people,
taking that you know, one of the basic needs
that we need as human and taking that pressure
off with family. So it just made it a simple
and realistic connection like that. That's incredible.
That's incredible. And then there's some other
things you've been doing to help the food bank
as well, right? Is that right? So one of the
other things that we do is we try very hard to
listen to our members. You know, we cannot be
in business if we're not serving our members
the way that they need to. And so throughout
the year, we try to do these number surveys,
member contact surveys. And of course, you know,
not everybody will answer to an email that says,
you know, fill out those numbers. So we try to
make it a little bit more exciting and incentivize
those that will fill out the survey and its completion.
And we said that if you filled this out, give
us some real time feedback on how we are doing.
we promised to donate money to the CNY food bank.
And so we did it in two phases. The first one
was during the first half of the year and the
second one ended again on November 30th. And
that also equaled out to almost $17 ,000. So
that is really special because one, we heard
from our members and that sort of incentive,
that showed our members care about our community.
They wanted to show that the connection between
their voice and how we show up for our community,
that connection is right there. That's really,
really, really nice. What's been the feedback
from some members when you kind of put that?
That's kind of a unique offer, a great way. to
get folks to participate in things. What was
some of the feedback when folks heard that their
participation was a donation? Yeah, you know,
we got very positive feedback, you know, especially
I think the second phase really sort of tugged
on some heartstrings a little bit just because
of the food insecurity issues that were happening.
And I think it was just the right timing, especially
towards the holidays. People get a little bit
more generous, and they want families to gather.
And so they really wanted to make sure that our
community didn't go without. Sure. What a great
way to let people help very easily. And along
those lines, you're also helping folks for the
holiday season, right? Yes. So again, one of
the things that we do to support our nonprofit
partners We kind of do sponsorships and donations
and those can be in the form of, you know, we
need money to support a certain program. And
sometimes it's, you know, going shopping for
some of their clients, you know. So we were really
privileged to be called upon to work with the
rescue mission. and their crossroads program
that are it's about 30 men who were experiencing
homelessness or certainly in housing insecurity
and they take up a kind of a Christmas wish list
and what we are given is their ultimate Christmas
wish list and then you know some of the staples
that you know some of us go and have every day
that we take for granted such as underwear and
undershirts and some of the We had 30 individuals
that were given to us. And some of the things
that were on their ultimate wish list were a
pair of dress pants, a pair of dress shoes, sneakers.
One gentleman asked for a case of pepsi. Those
are the simple things that if that's going to
bring them joy, we are going to do it. And so
we were very very proud that we were able to
do that in such a manner, and those baskets will
be given out on Christmas Day. That's incredible.
That's a lot of fun. It sounds like you have
one of these jobs that is no doubt challenging
with all the everything you've just listed is
kind of under you, but also quite rewarding,
right? I really love it. I really love it. I'm
someone that before coming to Empower, I worked
in nonprofits, so I understand that. Got you.
the many hats and the constant struggle to try
and meet a need and connecting mission to need.
And so when I found this kind of job at Empower,
and I've been with them for about two years now,
it kind of just married my passion and my expertise.
And I just said, this is what it was meant to
be. So while the tasks are big and mighty, but
they're ones that need to be had. That's awesome.
If you could, take just a minute for folks that
aren't familiar, just tell us a little bit about
Empower in general, kind of what areas do you
cover and those sorts of things. Yeah. So, Empower
is a financial institution. You know, you can
go in there and open up a savings account, a
checking account. We also offer loans, you know,
car loans, mortgage loans, personal loans as
far as businesses. We also... have that education
component, which was fall under the department
that I'm in. Anything that would help you financially,
you can come into Empower and ask for. One of
the things that we pride ourselves on is that
we're not one that will turn you away based on
a credit score. What we would try to do is what
we call storybook lending. We would try to get
to know the person. get to know what your goals
are, what your aspirations are, and then say,
okay, let's map out a plan that would work, that
would put you in a better past for good, but
also, you know, not put you in so much debt.
So let's talk about what that might look like.
You know, so we really try to service the underserved
and try to meet people where they are, really
listen. because that's the major component to,
you know, talking to someone about finances,
not about what we want, it's about what they
need. And that listening component really comes
into play when you come into an Empower branch.
That's incredible. Just in general, what kind
of areas do you serve? And is it just in the
315 area code, are you? Beyond that we're beyond
that. So we are obviously we're very heavily
in Central New York. Sure. That's how we were
founded A lot of time ago. We were part of the
power federal credit union, which was out of
the Niagara Mohawk Gotcha and then merged in
from empower on the Empire and power to empower
And then we've had some acquisitions. And so
we're we're in the southern tier. We're in all
the way up to our North countries And then we've
also opened a branch in Buffalo. So we're expanding
into the Western New York as well. All over New
York State. And God willing, we'll continue to
expand and truly make our mark in New York State.
That's great. And it's got to add a little more
to your plate as well, right, as you start to
find all these new communities? It does, but
it's good. So again, it's a task that I think
is needed and one that It truly is heartwarming
when you can just kind of go in and just say,
well, what does your community need? Yeah. And
have them tell you, and then get that real -time
feedback. That's so great. Kristin, we're going
to let you get back to doing this great work
here in just a moment. But before we do, why
don't you share with us people that... want to
support this or get involved or just follow what
you do? What's the best ways for them to do that?
So we have a social media platform. We're on
all social media platforms. So LinkedIn, Instagram,
Facebook, all of that. You can follow how we
do. If you have any questions or if you yourself
or an organization that is needing some extra
support, volunteer support, you can go into a
local branch. You can ask to be directed. And
because all of our all of our staff are well
equipped on trying to connect it connect us to
this department Especially if it's a financial
literacy component to it if you have an after
-school program if you have, you know Working
adults that just need, you know a special session
on financial finances Please by all means walk
into a branch asked to get in touch with the
community impact department and we will starting
to get back to you. That's incredible. That's
incredible. Kristin Thompson -Henry, Community
Impact Officer at Empire Federal Credit Union.
I really appreciate you spending some time with
us here on Good News York. This is exactly why
we exist, is kind of to share these stories of
incredible people, incredible organizations doing
good for all over New York State. That's definitely
what you're up to. I appreciate the invite. Come
back anytime. You've got fundraisers, you've
got events, just good stories to share. We would
love to have you and help share the word. Well,
do. Thank you so much. Thank you. For that, I
think that's the end of our episode and probably
the last episode before the holidays. Merry Christmas
and we will see you. I don't know. Maybe we'll
do another one before the new year. We'll have
to see how Mike and I feel after the holidays.
The kids might wipe us out, but we'll see. If
there's more good news. Peace out.