WASHINGTON—During the recent United in Sustainability’s sixth annual summit, a panel group emphasized that DEI efforts are not fading away.
Among those who addressed the event, which was co-hosted by United Nations FCU and OAS FCU, was CUNA Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Samira Salem, who moderated one of the meeting’s panels and asked participants whether DEI is a “fad” or something more permanent.
According to CUNA, the panelists said they believe DEI is here to stay.
“It’s been said, ‘culture eats strategy for breakfast’,” stated Miguel Polanco, director of NCUA’s Office of Women and Minority and Inclusion, during the panel. “Everyone has a strategic plan, but the culture will drive your organization to the outcomes you want and make it sustainable. DEI part of the culture plan. You don’t have DEI, you might as well say you’re not going to have any culture.”
Polanco encouraged credit unions to gather data and look at what it’s telling them.
‘Valuing People’
Ashley Riker, vice president of DEI at Hudson Valley Credit Union, told the meeting DEI is about positive impact, according to CUNA.
“Diversity is about valuing people, equity is intentional fairness, and inclusion is driving belonging,” she said. “These are things that impact people’s lives, and that’s what we’re here for.”
Ayris Scales, SVP of social responsibility and global initiatives for the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, told the meeting that DEI, “starts with systems, representation, and forcing transparency” to be a foundational part of culture.
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