Be honest, do DEI discussions make you nervous?
You’re not alone. As it happens, there’s a lot of fear around these topics. The real question is: what are you going to do about it?
May we humbly suggest you tune in this week to CRMNEXT’s Banking on Experience, as DEI advocate Dan Marquez (they/them), also known as Madam Nymphadora, share some incredible insight into how you and your financial institution can break down that fear and be part of positive change.
What’s covered?
Dan’s passion for this topic.
Their passion for DEI work was initially born of personal, lived experiences—many in the credit union space that led them to realize, “Ok, there’s a gap here. And I think it’s due to lack of information.”
With Madam Nyphadora in particular, they’ve been all about taking some educational approaches. It was about letting people know, “I’m a drag queen; I’m just as harmless as anybody else,” they said. “And we’re going to bring some education and the conversation to the table, because that’s really what has to happen.”
Cancel culture (and how it feeds the fear).
Put simply, Dan believes, “There’s cancel culture and there’s accountability.” And they believe it’s a fine line.
But one thing is clear in their mind: Credit union members and employees who are advocating for drastic change in who is served and how business is done—that’s not canceling. That’s progress.
How to: nurturing and developing group discussions at your CU.
Their biggest suggestion here? You’ve already learned about connecting with people (that’s why you’re at a credit union), so take an extra step and put more into action.
Something to consider: There are boards of directors, supervisor committees, credit committees…But do you have a go forward committee or an innovation committee with your community?
The 3 core emotions that will change your CU’s culture for the better.
It comes down to empathy, love, and compassion—all very distinct in the way they manifest. Dan offers some fantastic examples here, but in a nutshell, they encourage, “Be 100% inclusive. And, if you can, go over that.”
Dan’s perspective on the current DEI movement in the credit union space.
Our expert points out that when they started in this movement a decade ago, nobody was talking about being who they are and being their authentic selves. And celebrating small wins is vital.
That said, in their words, “If we are truly a credit union movement, we have to keep moving.”
Embracing differences without conflict.
This one’s tricky, and Dan says as much. But they also emphasize that in their personal interactions with those different from them, they try to take a step back, break down some of their own internal barriers, and remember, “That person is still a person…They’re important in the world to somebody.”
Want to contact Dan?
You can reach them at disrupt@madamnymphadora.com or on any and all social channels. You can also visit Madamnymphadora.com, where—exciting news—they’re working on a pilot program for some credit unions. Check it out!
Find this interview, and many more by subscribing to Banking on Experience Podcast on iTunes. You can also find us on Spotify, Google Podcasts, or visit our page on Casted.
