Creating a culture of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion through effective leadership
Creating a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion is a top priority for Sound Community Bank. We believe that diversity is about acknowledging, respecting, and valuing differences based on ethnicity, gender, color, age, race, religion, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, and identity, as well as a wide range of unique characteristics and experiences, such as communication style, career path, life experience, educational background, geographic location, income level, marital status, military experience, parental status, and other variables that shape personal perspectives.
We are committed to creating and maintaining a community and culture that opposes racism and discrimination to foster a welcoming and enriching environment.
Our DE&I committee comprises employees from executive management to the teller line, representing all walks of life. Our organization actively promotes DE&I by providing education, inviting guest speakers, hiring consultants, and integrating DE&I into our daily conversations. We are also increasing our partnerships with diverse community groups, recognizing that DE&I is essential for us to understand our clients and our communities. Our committee continuously develops plans and progresses on initiatives to create a sustainable culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
We recognize that DE&I is imperative for us to understand our clients and our communities.
Hear from our President and CEO, Laurie Stewart
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Culture of Respect
Meet Erin Nicolaus, our Chief People and Inclusion Officer
What our employees are saying
"DEI is vital for our communities as it strives to ensure that everyone has access to the same opportunities, support and resources. It helps builds stronger relationships and a sense of belonging for everyone in that community. DEI also contributes to overall well-being – when people feel included, they experience higher levels of self-esteem, mental health, and overall satisfaction with their lives." - Katie, HR Generalist
"DEI, at Sound Community Bank, directly impacts me. As a gay man, it is refreshing that the Bank encourages me to be my true self at every interaction. This allows me to focus directly on the work and not be self-conscious of my sexual orientation." - Logan, Digital Services Administrator
"It makes me feel proud my employer takes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion seriously. I want to work in an environment that encourages open-mindedness and treats everyone equally regardless of ethnicity, gender, identity, sexual orientation, age, etc., as we should all feel welcomed and valued by our employer." - Shelli, Relationship Manager | SVP
"Working for an employer who is conscientious regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion makes me not only feel heard and seen, but it also ignites the importance of becoming something much larger than myself. Sound’s mission through DEI is to appreciate, educate, and create a strong sense of community within our team through the identification and celebration of our various cultures, communicative styles, identity, and more diverse values and customs. Working with a team that assesses individualized growth and success through the understanding of each employee’s learning style, background, and personal goals makes it a pleasure to be a part of a ‘pod’." - Kimberly, Client Success Champion
Workforce Demographics
Sound Community Bank Supplier Diversity Program
The Supplier Diversity Program is a pivotal initiative designed to strengthen the communities we serve through economic empowerment and inclusivity. By prioritizing vendor diversity in our supply chain, we not only generate revenue for local and diverse businesses, but we also facilitate the seamless integration of our operations into the diverse demographics surrounding us. Beyond the economic advantages, our robust Supplier Diversity Program enhances our goodwill and reputation within the communities by aligning with our corporate values.
The primary goal of our Supplier Diversity Program is to foster opportunity and inclusion by establishing strong relationships with certified small and diverse businesses. We take pride in partnering with businesses that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, creating a mutually beneficial relationship. Our Supplier Diversity statement underscores our commitment to the vitality and prosperity of these communities, advocating investment in local businesses. By actively engaging with certified small and diverse businesses, we aim to bridge the wealth gap, providing equal access to contracting and purchasing opportunities. This commitment extends to supporting marginally represented businesses, including women, minorities, LGBTQ+, and veteran-owned enterprises, as we believe that doing business with a diverse array of vendors contributes to the growth of companies that, in turn, bolster our local economies.
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Print a copy for your records: Sound Community Bank DEI Statement