April 17, 2024
Categories: Company & Community News
By Laurie Baker, President and CEO
The Summit’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council is set on the foundation of The Summit’s Core Values, providing a brave space for honest discussion and continuous improvement and growth. Comprised of staff from all areas of the credit union, the council builds awareness and understanding as we learn from one another and promote a diverse and inclusive culture for all. The council aspires to help every voice be heard and every team member to feel valued.
Having an inclusive culture at The Summit where all employees feel valued has always been part of our organizational DNA. We are continuously looking for ways to evolve and grow as an organization. Creating a formal structure to better support this value, and an avenue for employees to share their experiences and ideas, was a logical and very welcomed and embraced next step.
The council is incredibly active and has created opportunities for employees of The Summit to get involved with organizations and causes that are diverse in scope. Throughout 2023, our employees have helped to raise awareness and funds for autism by walking in the Autism Awareness & Acceptance Walk supporting Ability Partners Foundation, Autism Services of Monroe County and the Finger Lakes. We partnered with Homesteads for Hope and volunteered throughout the growing season at their farm working alongside staff and clients. We made corporate donations to the Friends of Ganondagan for World Inclusion Day, Veterans Outreach Centre, ROCovery Fitness for National Drug and Alcohol Recovery Month, and MOCHA for Pride Month. The council has events planned for 2024 and recently hosted a speaker from the Mary Cariola Center enlightening us on the work that the organization does for our community.
I’m so proud of the council, what they have achieved and what they are yet to achieve. Their passion and dedication shine through every day. It’s an honor to work with such caring people.
The Summit Federal Credit Union, Elevating the ordinary™ since 1941.