Interview with SF Fire Board Member Kim Weiss
When Kim Weiss joined the Board of SF Fire in 2019, she was excited about the opportunity to have an impact. A 20+ year member of the credit union with family ties to the firefighter community, she was drawn to the members-first attitude that resonates strongly among everyone associated with SF Fire. Kim draws on her decades-long career as a leader supporting entrepreneurs and growth companies, with a focus on helping leaders to strengthen their effectiveness and impact. She brings this expertise to the Board of Directors where she currently serves on the Audit, Risk, Technology and Governance Committees. We recently sat down with Kim; the following are excerpts from this conversation.
Siren: Thank you for taking the time to talk with us! Can you give us a little background about your point of view on what Board service is all about?
Kim Weiss: It’s great to be here and I’m happy to share some perspective. My fellow Board members and I take our responsibilities with SF Fire seriously, and I’m deeply inspired by its intention to be a member-driven institution. We are all members, we believe in its rich history and firefighter origins, and we are deeply dedicated to listening to members. Our commitment to one another is to engage thoughtfully, exercise sound judgment, and uphold our shared fiduciary responsibilities—all with the membership’s interests in mind. We volunteer our time as Board members in stewardship to SF Fire.
Siren: The Board has a diverse mix of members with broad leadership expertise. Are there commonalities you share that contribute to how effectively you work together?
KW: I would summarize our collective strengths in a few key words: integrity, commitment to the mission of SF Fire, strategic thinking, financial acumen, and the ability to listen well. We regularly review member feedback as well as engagement metrics and satisfaction surveys. It’s so important that our members feel good about the experience they have with SF Fire.
Siren: What inspired you to join the Board?
KW: I’ve always had a strong desire to give back and support my local community. I love the credit union model where members matter more than stock performance. And firefighters hold a deeply special place for me – they are brave public servants, and it’s imperative to keep them safe. I truly believe in what the credit union stands for.
Siren: What are recent priorities the Board has addressed?
KW: Digital transformation and cybersecurity oversight are top of mind for every financial institution and the same is true for SF Fire. We continuously review our strategies, and we work hard to ensure our practices meet or exceed those of much larger organizations. We also spend time reviewing trends across the industry, like consolidation. And of course, leadership succession is top of mind right now as we embark upon a search for SF Fire’s next CEO.
Siren: What advice would you have for someone interested in joining the Board of SF Fire?
KW: Qualified candidates are encouraged to send a resume and cover letter to: SF Fire Credit Union, Attn: Board Recruitment, 3201 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94118
Siren: It sounds like it’s been a very gratifying experience serving on the Board. And to wrap up our conversation, outside of work, what do you do for fun?
KW: I’m a proud third-generation San Franciscan, I love this community – I’m totally biased but it’s the best place in the world! I have two grown children whom I adore, and I love being active outside whether it’s hiking or skiing, running or biking, you name it. And my all-time favorite activity when I’m showing friends our beautiful city is to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. There’s no better way to experience San Francisco.
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