ABA Honors 2024 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award Winners

The American Bankers Association honored the winners of its 2024 ABA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion awards today at the association’s virtual 2024 DEI Summit, cohosted with Virginia Bankers Association and Maryland Bankers Association. These awards recognize ABA member banks for their internal-facing programs, leadership and activities focused on improving diversity, equity and inclusion within their workplace.

"We are proud to celebrate all of the winners and honorable mentions of these awards," said Cathy Nestrick, ABA’s vice president of women’s leadership & diversity, equity, and inclusion. "These financial institutions and individuals have worked to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for their employees, customers and communities every day."

The awards honor achievement in three categories: the Outstanding Overall DEI Program Award, DEI Outstanding Leader Award, and Innovation Incentive Award. Winners and honorable mentions were selected for each category.

The 2024 ABA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award winners are:

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.

View the winners of this year’s ABA DEI Awards.