Not named after a founder. Named for who we serve.
Zealyst is more about who we serve and how we serve than who founded the firm. We exist to uncover the zeal in your organization — and we bring that same energy to everything we do.
We believe zeal is the catalyst that drives organizations forward.
When people feel passion and purpose for what they do, they are at their best — and so are their organizations. That's not a theory. We've seen it transform credit unions from the inside out.
Zealyst was built on a simple conviction: the right leaders, in the right culture, with the right development, can accomplish things that seem impossible. We're here to make that happen.
We're better than realists. We're Zealysts.
We don't just see what is — we see what's possible. And then we help you get there.
Uncover the zeal in every organization we touch.
We work with progressive credit unions at any asset size, helping their leaders and teams perform at their absolute highest level. Not because it's a nice idea. Because it changes everything.
The values that drive everything we do.
Zeal Over Everything
We believe passion and purpose aren't soft skills — they're the engine of every high-performing organization. We bring that energy to every engagement.
People First, Always
This isn't named after its founder. It's named for who we serve. Every decision we make centers on the humans inside the organizations we work with.
Outcomes That Matter
We don't measure success by deliverables. We measure it by what changes — in leaders, in teams, and in the organizations they serve.
Real Partnership
You work directly with experienced practitioners who are as invested in your outcomes as you are. No hand-offs. No junior teams. Just real partnership.
We bring that same zeal to everything we do.
Our team is made up of people who genuinely believe in the power of passion and purpose at work. You won't find us going through the motions — we're Zealysts, too.
Jill Nowacki
Co-Founder & President/CEO
A catalyst for credit union leaders for over two decades. Passionate about igniting the potential in people and organizations.
Tracie Kenyon
Co-Founder & Executive Development Partner
Brings deep expertise in executive development and organizational transformation to every engagement.
Ciara LaVelle
Vice President, Strategic Growth
Drives strategic growth initiatives and ensures Zealyst's impact continues to expand across the credit union space.
Carl Clark
Talent Experience Manager
Ensures every talent engagement is exceptional — from first contact through onboarding and beyond.
Katy Zaleski
Leadership & Organizational Development Consultant
Specializes in helping teams and leaders unlock their highest-performing potential through purposeful development.
Carolyn Reeves
Leadership & Organizational Development Consultant
Passionate about culture transformation and the behavioral change that drives lasting organizational results.
Mayuri Samala
Marketing Manager
Brings the Zealyst brand to life — connecting our story with the leaders who need to hear it most.
Let's uncover what's possible.
An exchange with Zealyst will leave you feeling inspired, uplifted, and motivated for what you can accomplish. Let's start that conversation.