CUNA News
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • Topics
    • Community Service
    • Compliance
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Credit Union System
    • Directors
    • Human Resources
    • Leadership
    • Lending
    • Marketing
    • Operations
    • Policy & Issues
    • Sales & Service
    • Technology
  • Credit Union Magazine
    • Buyers' Guide
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Edition
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Awards
    • Nominate Credit Union Hero
    • Nominate Credit Union Rock Star
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Jobs
  • Contact

News

Home » SPIRE launches Diversity and Inclusion Council
Leadership Human Resources

SPIRE launches Diversity and Inclusion Council

Group will provide a voice for staff and a resource for senior leadership.

July 10, 2020
Ron Jooss
No Comments
SPIRE launches Diversity and Inclusion Council

SPIRE Credit Union’s inaugural Diversity and Inclusion Council will help the Falcon Heights, Minn.-based organization “listen, learn, and act” from recent racial discussions.

The council’s goals are to enhance SPIRE’s organizational culture, community involvement, and employee understanding about diversity and inclusion.

Made up of seven staff members from different departments and branches, the council will provide a voice for SPIRE’s staff and a resource for the senior leadership team, says Justin Burleson, senior vice president/chief operating officer at the $1.2 billion asset credit union.

“Although SPIRE has always taken diversity and inclusion seriously, recent events around the country have shown there is much work to be done, “ Burleson says. “Leaders have suggested that organizations listen first and better understand before trying to solve something many people and organizations don’t fully understand.

“The council is part of that listening. Once we listen, we will begin to look internally and see what we can do better.”

Council member and SPIRE Financial Service Officer Nili Verma says the internal group will be “creative and innovative, and give a direct boost to the cultural heritage of the credit union.”

SPIRE donated $250,000 to 187 organizations in Minnesota for COVID-19 relief. But the events surrounding the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the Black Lives Matter Movement have changed the context of its “We Care” core value.

“As a community, we simply must do better,” Burleson says.

The council held its initial meeting in June, when it appointed officers and discussed “goals, wishes, and dreams on a high level,” Burleson says.

The council is a recommending body that will present ideas and initiatives for management and human resources to consider, Burleson says. The group will also work with SPIRE staff and the community partners “to help drive continued positive change.”

The council meets on a monthly basis with members serving one-year terms.

KEYWORDS culture DEI

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment

Credit Union Magazine: Winter 2022

Winter 2022

Credit Union Magazine’s Winter 2022 issue highlights data-driven marketing, the board’s role in cybersecurity, elder abuse scams, credit unions’ auto lending advantage, and more.
Digital Edition •  Subscribe

Trending

  • CFPB issues CUNA-opposed proposal on credit card late fees

  • Auto lending report shows significant credit union member savings

  • 2023 Credit Union Hero of the Year voting open

Tweets by CUNA_News

Polls

Vote for the 2023 CU Hero of the Year

View Results
More

Champion for the Credit Union Movement

Credit Union National Association is the most influential financial services trade association and the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America's credit unions. We work tirelessly to protect your best interests in Washington and all 50 states. We fuel your professional growth at every level and champion the credit union story at every turn.

More CUNA

  • Membership
  • Contact Us
  • Careers

Resources for

  • Credit Union Advocates
  • Leagues
  • Press
  • Providers

Our Affiliates

  • American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL)
  • Credit Union Awareness
  • Credit Union House
  • CUNA Strategic Services
  • National Credit Union Foundation
GET CUNA UPDATES
© 2023 Credit Union National Association | ADA Compliance Notice & Legal
Email Us