Christian Super's very own Super Hero: Q&A with Matthias Ehizua
![Matthias Ehizua] (https://media.industrymoves.com/prod/media/library/Industry_Moves/images/blog-photos/Matthias.jpg)
Christian Super's senior member services consultant, Matthias Ehizua, is always willing to go above and beyond to help his team and keep them updated with the latest industry changes. According to his colleagues, he has an answer for almost everything and brightens up the room with his "wide grin and cheerful nature." Nominated as one of the industry's Unsung Heroes, Matthias tells Industry Moves what sparked his interest in financial services, offers some sound life advice and shares a story about an inspiring woman who he would very much like to meet.
"I can boldly say "He is our SUPERMAN." Louisa - Marketing Assistant
What his colleagues have to say...
Louisa - Marketing Assistant
"Matthias is ready to help at all times. He is always willing to share any new knowledge or information that can contribute to making our jobs effective and our members happy. He is always on the lookout for any industry changes and shares with the team. He is full of brilliant ideas. He knows ALMOST all the answers to every question. I can boldly say "He is our SUPERMAN" in the MCC Team."
Zvonko - Member Services Consultant
"Matthias is a decisive individual who is always willing to lend a hand. His experience in financial services, insurance and studies in financial advice, give his team mates insight into the inner-workings of superannuation that normally would not be seen in a contact centre environment. He is always willing to educate his peers on the latest changes to superannuation, preparing us for questions our members may ask in advance."
Bob - Member Services Consultant
"Matthias is always ready to help answer queries ranging from the mundane and ordinary to the complex and niché, helping our young team to navigate the difficult and constantly changing landscape that is superannuation! He is a wonderful asset to Christian Super and lights up the Member Care office with his wide grin and cheerful nature. Thank you for helping to make the workplace better Matthias with your leadership demonstrated through humility and genuine understanding."
"Matthias is always ready to help answer queries ranging from the mundane and ordinary to the complex and niché." Bob - Member Services Consultant
Q&A with Matthias Ehizua
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy my role at Christian Super because every day is a plus for our members and employers. I enjoy assisting to provide information that helps our members to live their lives with financial health and understanding. One minute I am engaging a member on how Christian Super investment is changing lives and influencing ethical behaviour in companies, the next minute I am calculating insurance premiums or liaising with our insurer to get a timely insurance claim outcome for our members. I am also supporting our team and helping members navigate the changing superannuation system, at the end of the day I am a super hero.
What drew you to the industry?
My desire to be on the frontline, providing help to people in need, sparked my interested in the financial services industry and while studying for my Bachelor of Commerce (Economics), I concurrently enrolled for a Diploma of Financial Planning with TAFE NSW in order to get ready for the industry. After my first stint in financial planning I became interested in Superannuation as a niche and that interest lead me to Christian Super. My values aligned with Christian Super's values. It's a super fund that is changing the world.
What was your very first job?
My first role was as a legal assistant in a law firm and it gave me the opportunity to develop a skill-set in administration and client engagement.
Who do you most admire and how have they influenced your life/work?
I admire Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp for their innovations in Apple, Facebook and Uber respectively. They always get me thinking about the next 'big thing' that I could innovate. At work, I admire Tim Macready, the Chief Investment Officer of Christian Super, for his modesty.
Matthias and his colleagues.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
I would invite Barbara Henry, in order to know what kept her going, despite certain challenges. Barbara Henry is an American teacher who refused to leave her teaching job when white parents, students, and teachers decided to leave their elementary school to protest the desegregation of schools in New Orleans in 1960. Henry was the first teacher in the Frantz Elementary School who was willing to teach an African-American student, Ruby Bridges. Only Barbara Henry was willing to teach Bridges, and for over a year Mrs. Henry taught her alone, "as if she were teaching a whole class."
What is the best advice you've been given?
In life you have to be decisive.
What possession do you most treasure?
The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible I won in a Bible quiz as a young Christian.
What's something that most people wouldn't know about you?
I used to be a theatre actor.
Is there someone in your organisation that deserves recognition for going above and beyond? Contact [email protected] to nominate your Unsung Hero!
