When Americans think of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), it’s understandably through an American lens, colored by national history, norms, culture, laws, and economy. But while the United States remains an economic powerhouse, it’s just one part of the global economy. As other nations continue to develop and gain in economic influence and as America continues to be a top destination for immigrants, companies need to be able to look at DEI through an international lens, as well.
Fortunately for PCSB Bank, Michelle A. Nicholas, its SVP, chief diversity officer (CDO), and director of community development, has just such a lens.
“I would say that my career started in high school in Guyana,” she says. “During my early high school years, I would follow my mother, who at that time was a community activist. Each day after school, before homework, I would wait for the bauxite miners to end their shift and pass by our home. Then I would ask them to contribute to some project that supported our community. I continued this same approach in college, seeking funding for those who needed it most – usually from those who had it most. After college, my career moved forward into foreign service and foreign trade, as I was always focused on service, people, and community.”
Well-Versed in Diversity But New to the Title
Nicholas has been in her current role since 2021, and it’s her first time holding such a position; however, it’s certainly not her first exposure to the work of DEI. “I will say that I have been working in diversity for as long as I can remember but this is the first time that I hold a role that carries the word ‘diversity’ in the title,” she explains. “As someone who has worked to serve those in underrepresented and underserved communities, locally and globally, I have seen the impact of the work when it’s done correctly and when it’s not. The important thing is to remember that diversity without inclusion is a missed opportunity.”
The CDO position was new to PCSB, as well. Nicholas says she’s the first to hold the position at the bank, which was only recently created in 2021. “This decision not only placed PCSB Bank ahead of the curve among other community banks in the region but also spoke to the Bank’s commitment to making Diversity and Inclusion part of the company’s culture,” she says.
The Critical Importance of Listening
Many companies say they promote DEI in the workplace, but what do they really mean by that? It can be a vague notion with varying levels of genuine commitment and enthusiasm.
“When I think of the word ‘promote,’ I think of furthering the process or supporting something,” Nicholas says. “But how do you engage or support if you don’t understand or even listen? This is why we were intentional about how we promoted diversity and inclusion throughout the bank.”
Nicholas says one of the first things PCSB did in building out its DEI program was spend time listening to employees across the company. “We gathered their thoughts, needs, ideas, and more,” she notes. “And it was from those conversations, or listening sessions, that we were able to collectively and collaboratively develop employee-centered methods to promote diversity and inclusion bank-wide. This approach not only allowed the Bank to show its commitment to employees but employees got to witness firsthand the importance of their voices.”
Diversity as a Strategic Priority
It’s certainly not surprising to hear a CDO argue that DEI is a strategy priority for an organization, but Nicholas is not alone in that feeling at PCSB Bank. “Knowing that we can only move the needle if diversity is a priority, our diversity policy was created and included as part of our strategic priorities,” she says. “Then we spent the time implementing the policy through all lines of business, using the top-down approach. This approach allows for the accountability of all leaders.”
Nicholas says PCSB’s focus has always been and continues to be a community from the inside out. “Hence, we have been focused on advancing the people within our walls and supporting the communities we serve,” she says. “From adopting an employee-focused newsletter to the creation of Employee Affinity Groups, to the implementation of an Employee of the Month Recognition program, to advancing our support in the communities we serve beyond the dollars and cents, these are the people and community-focused approaches that have been successful, and we are looking forward to continuing building. As a company, we are committed to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion knowing the essential impact to our success.”
The strategic importance of DEI to PCSB is evidenced by the top-down support those efforts enjoy. “In 2021 when I was hired, the President/CEO sent the message—it starts from the top,” Nicholas says. “From day one, the focus was and continues to be an active and comprehensive diversity policy, inclusive recruitment, provision of safe spaces for employees, and multiple opportunities for employee feedback as we collectively focus on the continued advancement of our healthy and inclusive work environment.”
The Importance of Recruitment
Recruitment is a crucial part of any DEI program. Employee turnover is much more frequent than it was even 20 or 30 years ago. This means that companies can transform their diversity relatively quickly and that diversity recruiting isn’t a one-off endeavor but rather a continuous process.
“Diverse talent is all around us, we just have to pay attention,” adds Nicholas. “This is the reason we reach out to colleges, universities, local agencies, and more, whether positions are available or not, to create those opportunities. Inclusive recruitment continues to be a significant part of our D&I goal as we continue to cultivate our workforce and support our communities.”
The U.S. economy is deeply integrated into the broader global economy. American companies buy and sell from suppliers and consumers all over the world, and immigrants, temporary resident aliens, and remote workers are all an important part of the labor pool. Therefore, it’s essential that any DEI program look at its mandate through a local, national, and international lens. PCSB Bank is fortunate to have a diversity leader with global experience and perspective at the helm of its DEI program.
Lin Grensing-Pophal is a Contributing Editor at HR Daily Advisor.
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