A DEI Check-in & Why Credit Unions Still Have a Lot of Work to Do

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It’s been a year since credit unions began making a more significant, visible commitment to taking action on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) – both from a workplace culture and member service standpoint. So, how are they doing?

I recently had a candid discussion with professionals from two of the many credit unions that have been laser-focused on DEI about how their cooperatives have embraced DEI, the challenges and successes they’ve experienced along the way, and what’s on their future DEI agenda. Kelli Ellsworth Etchison is chief marketing officer and chief diversity officer for the $800 million, Lansing, Mich.-based LAFCU, as well as a member of Michigan’s Black Leadership Advisory Council, a commissioner and secretary for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan, and a member of the study committee for the City of East Lansing Independent Police Oversight Commission. Ronna Idzenga is director of development for the $57.5 million, Milwaukie, Ore.-based Cutting Edge Credit Union. Here are some of the most notable takeaways from our conversation.