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DBT40

DBT40 Honoree: Tyler Kuhn

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Age: 26
Director of Marketing and Community Development,
Dover Federal Credit Union (Dover)

Why me?  Because I am a young person who is dedicated to bringing Delaware to new heights. As someone who was raised in Delaware, I understand that our communities are only as successful as the weakest link and I believe that it is our civic duty as to residents step up and walk side by side with those who are struggling which is why I am such an advocate of financial literacy. In my professional life, I was entrusted with leading all marketing, business development, and legislative advocacy efforts at the young age of 25 by seasoned professionals who believed in me. I am extremely grateful to be in the spot that I am, and I do not take this responsibility lightly. Because of this, I work as hard as I can to bring the credit union to new heights and to make sure that we remain innovative, which in turn keeps us competitive.


Professional accomplishments:
At the ripe old age of 26, I am very proud of where I am. Spending just shy of two years in medical sales out of college was very eye opening and rewarding, but I am most proud of my time at the credit union. In the last three years, I have been able to make a difference in the lives of others and have been lucky enough to receive multiple promotions. 

In 2017, I developed a seven-part educational series and taught more than 200 financial literacy classes in schools, community centers, senior centers and other community-focused environments. During 2017, I was also awarded as the Employee of the Year (Mary Lovisone Award) for Dover Federal. Shortly following that award, I was named the Cooperative Credit Union Association Young Professional of the Year and recognized by the Appoquinimink School District for our dedication to seeing their students succeed. In 2018, Credit Union Magazine and Credit Union National Association recognized me as a “Credit Union Rock Star” in which CUNA’s Ann Hayes Peterson said, “Tyler Kuhn’s outstanding achievements stood out to us as an inspiration that other credit union professionals could learn from.” Most recently, I was named the 2019 Honorary Mayor by the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce.

Community service: In 2018 alone, I gave over 165 hours of my personal time and more than $5,000 of my personal money to support various community organizations in all three counties. Last year, I had the privilege of participating in the annual Delaware Dancing with the Stars fundraiser. As a result of my partner and my fundraising efforts, we raised $55,000-plus for the beneficiaries of this wonderful event. 

I am lucky enough to sit on the board of three wonderful nonprofits. The first is the CenDel Foundation who exists to increase philanthropic giving in Central Delaware whom I also donate to annually. The second board is the Greater Dover Boys and Girls Club. I am lucky enough to get to spend a lot of my time with the at-risk youth that land in these clubs. The third board I sit on is Arise, which I recently joined. Arise is an organization that exists to equip those who are facing adversity to discover hope and move past them. 

Professionally, I manage all charitable giving and employee volunteering for the organization. With all of this said, I am very involved in the community and am dedicated to the success of the communities that we serve and live in.

First job? At a rehabilitation home as a dietary aide.  In this role, I served as a waiter to people who were in short-term and long-term rehabilitation for both physical and mental ailments.

Advice 10 years ago?  Ten years ago, I was in high school just trying to learn who I was. If I could give myself one piece of advice it would be to not let other people’s opinions of you become your identity. Everyone has a different idea of who you are or who you should be. At the end of the day, their opinion doesn’t matter.

Earliest memory of leadership role: My earliest memory of leadership would be as a captain of my travel soccer team in high school. I was a very self-centered kid who thought being chosen as a captain had to do with my athletic abilities rather than my potential to lead people. My coach Danny Simmons taught me a valuable lesson in leadership by taking a chance on me and inspiring me to be better and I am forever grateful for him. Looking back, I had a lot to learn and I still do.

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