The 2024 ABA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Awards

The ABA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards honor and recognize ABA member banks for their internal-facing programs, initiatives and activities focused on improving diversity, equity and inclusion for their workforces. Integrating DEI initiatives promotes awareness and mitigation of bias, helps employees feel safe, creates diverse teams, and helps the organization gain competitive advantages.

Award Categories

Outstanding DEI Overall Program Award — Recognizes the most outstanding DEI program

Outstanding DEI Leader Award — Recognizes a DEI specialist or other leader who has served as an agent of change within the organization

Outstanding DEI Innovation Incentive Award — Recognizes the ABA member bank with the most creative and innovative internal DEI initiative that enables a transformation within the organization

2024 Award Winners

Outstanding Overall DEI Program Award

Winner: Flagstar Bank, Hicksville, N.Y.
Flagstar Bank increased diversity and leadership in the workplace and invested in initiatives throughout all levels of employment by establishing internal programs and other educational tools. The bank also created internal and external equity and engagement through their DEI programming. They also used a data-driven approach of analyzing DEI metrics to identify areas of improvement and measure the impact of their initiatives.

Honorable Mention: First Interstate, Billings, Mont.
First Interstate bank was honored for its overall DEI program, The Collective Learning Series. The program focuses on encouraging stronger connection within the workplace, expressing more diversity and supporting nonprofit organizations.

DEI Outstanding Leader Award

Winner: Colette Campbell, Bremer Bank, Saint Paul, Minn.
Colette Campbell is the chief people and culture officer at Bremer Bank. Campbell established and implemented Bremer’s Racial Equity Plan, created DEI employee training protocols and an internal diversity council, and integrated the DEI strategy into the bank’s overall performance.

Honorable Mention: Craig Johnson, Webster Bank, Stamford, Conn.
Craig Johnson, vice president of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, is also the belonging program manager at Webster Bank. His recent completion of the Society for Human Resource Management’s SHRM-CP certification allows him to develop strategy and further transform the bank. Johnson has partnered with associations such as McKinsey and the University of California to develop data-driven solutions to address opportunity gaps and refine strategies for the bank’s equity work.

Innovation Incentive Award

Winner: Republic Bank & Trust Company, Louisville, Ky.
Republic Bank & Trust’s Inclusion and Diversity Snapshot program is a tool that helps bankers identify areas of possible implicit bias by examining trends that occur during the hiring, reviewing and promotion processes. The bank also partnered with Bellarmine University to create an essential curriculum and pitch competition for women of color business owners.

Honorable Mention: Primis Bank, McLean, Va.
Primis Bank’s Primis Works program focuses on supporting single parents by giving them an opportunity to establish professional skills. Advanced developments to this program include new mental health and well-being education tools, credit restoration options and “teaching the trainer” opportunities.