WASHINGTON–Nine female executives from eight credit union leagues and league foundations participated in the 1-to-1Woman Mentoring Program’s most recent cohort, which was sponsored by the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL).
According to the organization, the 1-to-1Woman Mentoring Program pairs Caucasian C-suite executive level females with rising African American female professionals.
“Diversity, equity and inclusion are keys to the sustainability of the credit union industry,” said AACUL President Brad Miller. “Montana’s Credit Unions’ President Tracie Kenyon was one of the original mentors in the program. When she enthusiastically shared her experience with me, I reflected on the many amazing women leaders in the league system and knew AACUL could mobilize our league partners to support this important mentorship opportunity.”
According to the AACUL, Miller and Kenyon collaborated with their league colleagues and the first league system mentor cohort was established.
The Mentees
The mentees in the cohort included:
- Chelsea Best, Callahan & Associates
- Bethaniy Brown, Zeal Credit Union
- Jasmine Lovelace, Zeal Credit Union
- Brittany Ortiz, SchoolsFirst FCU
- Annisha Rose, SchoolsFirst FCU
- Tamara Slaughter, Zeal Credit Union
- Shayla Tanner, Civic Credit Union
- Lydia Hartley, SchoolsFirst FCU
- April Williams, Congressional Federal Credit Union
The Mentors
The mentors included:
- Kristi Arrington, League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates
- Laura Auxter, Ohio Credit Union League
- Mara Humphrey, Minnesota Credit Union Network
- Beth Ellis, Wisconsin Credit Union League
- Melia Heimbuck, Credit Union Association of New Mexico
- Emily Leite, Ohio Credit Union League
- Tena Lozano, Richard Myles Johnson Foundation
- Andrea Molnau, Minnesota Credit Union Network
- Courtney Moran, Cornerstone Credit Union Foundation
Facilitating Conversations
“1-to-1Woman Mentoring Program facilitates conversations between the mentors and mentees about gender bias and racial disparity in the workforce,” the organization said. “1-to-1Woman aims to form relationships between otherwise unlikely connections with the goal of fostering a space where mentors and mentees serve as both teachers and pupils.”
‘Valuable & Impactful’
Added Shellee Mitchell, president of Sapphire Dimension and founder of the 1-to-1Woman Mentoring Program, “1-to1Woman proves to be valuable and impactful for both the mentor and mentee. 1-to1Women proves to be valuable and impactful for both the mentor and mentee. Research shows that the vast majority of the time people mentor those who resemble themselves. Since African Americans lag in influential positions within credit unions, 1-to1Woman is a wonderful opportunity to connect up-and-coming young African American women with successful credit union leaders.”
For additional info, contact Shellee Mitchell at sam@sapphiredimensions.com.
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