State Trade Associations Set New Programs for DEI Challenges & Education

The Heartland Credit Union Association and the Maryland-District of Columbia Credit Union Association recently announced new webinar and educational initiatives that will help executives address diversity, equity and inclusion challenges in their credit unions and communities.

In partnership with the African American Credit Union Coalition, HCUA will be hosting two webinars titled Be Better. Do Better., on Feb. 16 and March 16 that will be open to anyone in the credit union industry. What’s more, the MD|DC Credit Union Association said it is teaming up with Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies, to offer a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion certificate program designed specifically for credit union leaders.

HCUA’s February webinar will feature national and regional industry experts on why the credit union industry needs to address DEI challenges and what actions can be taken to become more inclusive personally, within credit unions and in the communities they serve.

The speakers will include Angela Russell, vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion at CUNA Mutual Group; Cathie Mahon, president/CEO at Inclusiv and Victor Miquel Corro, CEO of Coopera.

The March webinar will feature credit union executives who will share their DEI journeys, including the challenges and success stories.

The speakers will include Larry Sewell, vice president of corporate partnerships and advocacy, at the $2.1 billion Together Credit Union in St. Louis, Mo.; Maria Martinez, president/CEO of the $169 million Border Federal Credit Union in Del Rio, Texas; Kirk Mills, president/CEO of the $356 million St. Louis Community Credit Union in St. Louis, Mo., and Michelle Wood, vice president of culture and DEI at the $831 million Mazuma Credit Union in Overland Park, Kan.

For additional information and registration, visit HCUA’s website.

Launching in April, the MD|DC Credit Union Association’s DEI certificate program has been customized for credit unions and will be taught live online by faculty and experienced practitioners affiliated with the Georgetown Master’s in Human Resources Management program and Georgetown’s Executive Certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Combining lectures, class discussions, case studies and hands-on application through projects, the program is designed as a cohort to promote a high level of interaction between participants. Professionals will meet online for two consecutive full-day sessions per month over the course of three months.

Participants will learn how to prepare a business case for diversity and inclusion, and identify measures to prove the return on investment of diversity and inclusion initiatives; develop strategies and programs to attract and engage diverse talent, and achieve HR and business goals; measure the progress and impact of diversity and inclusion programs, using metrics and benchmarks; and communicate about diversity and inclusion solutions, initiatives, events and progress to diverse audiences and stakeholders.

Participants who successfully complete the program will earn a Certificate in Advancing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Workplace.

For more information about the DEI certificate program, visit mddccua.org.