Recruiting for a Diverse Board

Having served for nearly three decades on the board of Xceed Financial Credit Union, I think I bring a fair amount of value to the table – in terms of both skill set and experience. Among the most valuable insights my experience has revealed, however, is that I don’t have all the answers. While I believe my perspective to be important and valid, I also believe the strength of any organization’s board arises from its diversity.

In the past, board diversity largely meant diversity of skill sets – ensuring the group included people with strong expertise in finance, accounting, legal, marketing, human resources and technology, for example, to help inform and guide credit union policy and strategic direction. Each of these skill sets continues to be essential, but their importance is now matched by the need for diversity in age, gender and ethnicity.

Make no mistake – I’m not making a case for political correctness. The case I’m making is for the survival of our organizations and of the credit union movement. To guide credit unions into a vibrant and prosperous future, our boards need to include people with critical skill sets who also represent both our current members and those we wish to join our ranks in the years to come.