Always Learning Something New: An Executive VP on Leveraging Experience and Navigating Career Growth

“I’ve never hesitated to learn something new,” Brittani Ivey says.

That desire to evolve is key to her growth. The Executive Vice President (EVP) of Real Estate Lending and Financial Opportunity at Navy Federal Credit Union has had an illustrious career — if not a linear one. But that’s what keeps it from getting boring. 

“Transitions have been exciting — you try to soak up as much as you can from that experience and welcome new perspectives as they come,” she said. “Every career move has put another piece of the puzzle together for me. A career pivot can be a thrilling chapter if you approach it with an open mind and a willingness to learn.”

Here, Ivey shares her career journey, the advice she’s received, and the mistakes that have helped her grow.

Where did you start your career journey? What were your previous roles and experiences like?

I began my career as a business analyst at a consulting firm. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do yet, and I chose this role because it exposed me to various businesses and communities. It helped me explore. 

Before that first job out of college, I had a diverse work history. I worked in call centers and  department stores, held a work study job (sometimes two) while in college, and did internships at non-profit organizations. I’ve always valued the independence that comes with working.

What made you decide to make a career change and pivot to your current role? 

After my consulting role, I practiced law in both the private sector and at Navy Federal. My legal practice focused on the intersection of government/regulatory issues and business response. I spent a lot of time advising on how to stay ahead of the major issues of the day or respond to them when things didn’t go as planned.  

I later transitioned to the risk department within the credit union, broadening my risk management focus beyond the legal and compliance areas. This provided a much deeper understanding of the organization as a whole. Ultimately, my role as Chief Risk Officer allowed me to combine my legal experience with a business perspective. 

This transition was part of a broader strategy shift, where I leveraged my legal and risk expertise to move a range of business objectives forward and build out new capabilities. What enabled this pivot was my commitment to learning the jobs I’d been in at the time and becoming the best partner I could. Although moving from the legal side was a transition, my familiarity with the teams and business operations made it smoother.

How did you make this switch, and how did your company support you in this process? 

The support from the company has been multifaceted. At Navy Federal, leaders are encouraged to try new roles and grow, making such transitions a natural part of our culture. This encouragement, mentorship, and coaching make stepping into the unknown less daunting. I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who, at pivotal points, have shifted my perspective on how I envision my career and professional development. They asked the hard questions — “what’s the vision for this work, for the team, for yourself as a leader?” — challenged me to think about how to cultivate skills that translate across substantive areas, and shared lessons about their journeys that helped build my confidence. 

What I deeply admire about our organization is that many leaders have diverse career paths. They’ve experienced different departments, teams and roles, which is integral to our leadership development. This enterprise-wide perspective and devotion to the company’s mission are highly valued here.

How have you benefited from the skills and experience you’ve gained in your career pivot/journey? 

Every career move has put another piece of the puzzle together for me, providing insight into different companies and deepening my leadership skills. Working in a legal team taught me the importance of building trust and navigating external environments. My experience in risk management gave me a deeper understanding of organizational operations and protection systems. 

Now, I use both these perspectives to collaborate with other departments and contribute to the company’s overarching goals. Each opportunity is a learning moment for me. I think that’s why the transitions have been exciting — you try to soak up as much as you can from that experience and welcome new perspectives as they come.

Tell us a bit about your current job. What’s your current role, how long have you been in this role and what is your day-to-day like? 

In my current role as EVP of Real Estate Lending, I lead a team dedicated to helping our members achieve homeownership, ensuring sound operations and providing unparalleled service. I also oversee the Office of Financial Opportunity, where we’re reimagining how to improve our members’ access to credit and financial services. This dual role involves a mix of strategic planning, team leadership, and member engagement. I’ve been at Navy Federal for seven years and transitioned to my current role in Real Estate Lending earlier this year. 

What do you find most rewarding and challenging about your current work? 

The most rewarding aspect of my work is the significant impact we have on people’s lives. Homeownership is an important milestone, and being trusted to guide our members through this process is an honor. Hearing members say “You showed up for me” is deeply moving. I’m also excited about how this long-standing commitment to service will continue to evolve as we build out the Office of Financial Opportunity. 

While building a new program is never easy, this work is innovative and collaborative and expands how we proactively serve our members. The current economic climate poses challenges for homeownership and other financial goals, but we’re committed to meeting our members’ needs with dedication. This is exactly the type of thing I seek out and find rewarding in the work I do. It’s what excited me about legal work, risk, and now this new role.

What’s your favorite thing about working at your company? 

Navy Federal’s mission-driven environment fosters a collaborative and supportive workplace. I work with some of the best and brightest individuals who use their talents in an impactful, meaningful way for others. Our colleagues’ diverse backgrounds and experiences lead to rich discussions and innovative ideas.

Looking back on your career, what would you say has been your most valuable career mistake? 

Early in my legal career, I was reviewing a source document and realized that I’d misinterpreted some research, which led to a factual error in one of my assignments. Normally, I would go back in, make updates and send a new version, but this time, the document was already in the hands of a courier. 

I ran to my leadership team and let them know that I’d made a mistake and needed to get the document back to address it. As a recovering perfectionist, this moment was horrifying. But my leaders were great. They said “okay” and got the document back before it went to the client. 

Addressing the mistake head-on with my leadership team and correcting it taught me the importance of accountability and resilience. This experience helped me realize that making mistakes is a part of growth. It also showed me how leaders can effectively leverage those moments to coach and support team members. This encouraged me to take risks and embrace learning opportunities with courage.

What is your best advice for other women who are thinking about making a career pivot? 

Go for it! Embrace career pivots as learning experiences. Focus on the skills you’ll gain from the pivot rather than what you don’t know at that moment. Recognize the skills and insights you bring from your past experiences and embrace the unknown as an exciting opportunity. A career pivot can be a thrilling chapter if you approach it with an open mind and a willingness to learn.