Elevating the Mosaic for Financial Inclusion

Credit unions are dedicated to making a difference in the world by helping to improve the lives of individuals, and similarly, CU Pride is a trailblazer within the industry, strategically uniting credit unions with communities. Celebrating the 5th year as a network, CU Pride is advancing the conversation of financial inclusion by elevating the beauty of our differences through a mosaic of thought leadership. 

In 2018, during Mitchell, Stankovic & Associates Underground Collision, Linda Bodie, CEO of Element Credit Union, shared an authentic story of what it means to be of the LGBTQ community and not be recognized within the industry. A group of credit union representatives responded with the first meet-up, and in 2020, CU Pride was formally announced by founders Linda Bodie, Brandi Stankovic (Principal of Strategic Advisory), Dan Marquez, and Zach Christensen (MSA Marketing Director and Executive Director of CU Pride). Over the last five years, the network has grown to include allies, organizations, associations, and members—everyday people committed to each other and to the purpose of credit unions.

In October of 2024, CU Pride completed a strategic planning session and created scenarios for 2025. The Advisory Board anticipated that the state of inclusionary work may not look the same in the year ahead, so one of the scenarios involved an impact to the five-year anniversary. When we saw a shift in perception, we activated and began to refine the messaging, looking beyond phrases or acronyms to ensure the work continued without unnecessary barriers and distraction. An intentional decision was made to focus on what the LGBTQ+ community does best—create allies that spark change. CU Pride strategically positioned the network to be intentional, clearly focused on inclusiveness and sense of belonging. Our desired outcome is to ensure that CU Pride’s mission of serving its members, and its community, remains steadfast and sustainable.

When related to the topic of credit union leadership—leadership calls for more than just navigating the unknown. It requires building something meaningful, lasting, and human-centered. CU Pride's "Elevate the Mosaic" theme for Pride Month 2025 invites credit union leaders to embrace this challenge with vision and purpose. Like a mosaic, our movement is strengthened by its many unique pieces—each contributing distinct backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. By serving with head, heart, and soul, we center our collective culture upon the experiences of those around us. We don't just adapt to change; we proactively shape it.

This Pride Month is going to look and feel different than last year and the year before; it will draw upon the historic relevance of those who came before us and give credit unions an opportunity to embrace the intersectionality of our LGBTQ+ members and employees, recognizing that such efforts not only uplift communities but also create a chain reaction to enhance the financial well-being of all.

Why the Mosaic?

The mosaic is not only a beautiful expression of art, but it also shows the intricacies of humanity and how we can build something great. When you see it up close, you can’t see how each piece fits, but as you step back, you realize unity isn’t about perfection—it’s about creating space that allows us to support and connect with each other. A mosaic is an art form of seemingly unrelated pieces of different shapes, colors, and materials that, when joined together, create a stunning visual that represents CU Pride.

1. Our Differences are Our Strength – The different shapes, colors, and materials in a mosaic mirror the variety of backgrounds, identities, and experiences that individuals bring to workplaces and communities. This is not just about representation, but about recognizing the unique contributions of each person.
2. Everyone Has a Place – Inclusion is not about erasing differences, but celebrating them as essential to a greater whole, fostering a sense of belonging rather than mere assimilation.
3. The Design is Intentional – A mosaic requires careful placement of each piece to ensure a balanced and harmonious final image, ensuring we all have the support, access, and opportunities needed to thrive.

Five Years, Five Strategies for your Community Mosaic

While Pride Month provides the opportunity to better understand the needs of the LGBTQ+ community, remember that there are opportunities and challenges that exist all year long. While your employees themselves may not identify with the LGBTQ+ community, many of them are parents, siblings, or friends. Building an inclusive culture that supports and lifts everyone creates a true trickle-down impact that distinguishes your credit union. Below are five ways you can elevate the mosaic of those you touch.

1.    Be Proactive, Resilient, and Adaptable: When there is a time of uncertainty, leaders must be willing to develop new approaches, reconsider mindsets, and create business strategies that will position for growth, innovation, and organizational health. CU Pride is demonstrating a path forward while sustaining core values. In December of 2024, McKinsey Health Institute reported that employees who are both resilient and adaptable are 3.8 times more innovative. (Fostering workforce resilience and adaptability | McKinsey)  

2.    Commit to the Community: Don’t just sponsor local LGBTQ+ organizations or events; partner with them and become their financial service provider of choice. Nearly 31% of LGBTQ+ adults have experienced discrimination when accessing financial services. (2024 HRC LGBTQ+ Financial Wellness Report) Create the opportunity to share the credit union difference, live up to the people helping people mission, and build credible trust.

3.    Tailor Financial Wellness Programming: Approximately 48% of LGBTQ+ adults report being financially unwell, nearly double the rate of the general population (25.7%). (2024 HRC LGBTQ+ Financial Wellness Report) Provide educational opportunities that address not only the LGBTQ+ members, but the needs of the communities you serve. Seattle may have very different needs than Baton Rouge. Do the research and make this the best practice for all the diverse demographics you want to reach.

4.    Develop a “Culture is Cultural” Attitude: Did you know less than half of LGBTQ+ employees feel comfortable being their authentic selves at work regarding their sexual orientation (43%) or gender identity (47%). (Deloitte Global 2023 LGBT+ Inclusion @ Work) The employee experience is defined by the culture established. Find ways for your employees to co-create your culture. The mosaic is not about making pieces fit; it’s about adding them where they are to supplement the whole.

5.    Invest to Retain: While many employees may not be out, those that are often sit at the middle layer of your organization. About 33% of LGBTQ+ workers believe their sexuality or gender identity has negatively affected their career progression or remuneration. (2024 Randstad Workmonitor Pulse Survey) Work with your HR, Culture, and Inclusion teams to ensure there is opportunity to build, learn, and grow within your organization and partner with organizations like CU Pride where growth and community intersect.

Elevate All Year Long

While Pride Month serves as a focal point for celebrating and supporting LGBTQ+ communities, it's crucial to embed practices into your ongoing operations that instill an authentic culture of belonging. By doing so, you will enhance the overall financial health and engagement of your organization, employees, members, and communities. When we elevate each part of the mosaic, we elevate our movement. 

Join Us for the 2025 CU Pride Month Sessions in June

CU Pride is hosting a month filled with sessions to elevate your leadership, education, and networking. You can check out all the events and register for them here. Thank you to CUES for becoming our newest Rainbow Ally members and supporting and sharing our work during CU Pride Month.