Michigan credit union wins Stevie® Award for comprehensive diversity, equity and inclusion program

LANSING, Mich. — LAFCU was selected from over 1,600 submissions worldwide and honored in New York City with a Bronze Stevie® Award in the Communications or PR Campaign of the Year - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion category for its four-week, diversity, equity and inclusion internal communications campaign.

The initiative aimed to inform and engage LAFCU staff about its DEI program and used tactics such as eblasts, videos, interactive activities, giveaways, and quizzes to communicate important information and encourage participation.

"At LAFCU, we are deeply dedicated to carrying out the essential work related to diversity, equity, and inclusion that is required to consistently make a significant impact and have a lasting effect on our organization, employees, members and beyond,” said Kelli Ellsworth Etchison, chief marketing officer and chief diversity officer at LAFCU. “We are incredibly honored and proud to have our work acknowledged, especially in an international arena. We're dedicated to continuing and enhancing our DEI effort because it captures the essence of our organization, the amazing diversity of the areas we serve, and LAFCU's 74,000 members.” 

LAFCU was the only organization in the United States that was honored in the Communications or PR Campaign of the Year – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion category. The Michigan-based credit union was recognized alongside The Audacious Agency in Queensland, Australia (Gold Stevie® winner) and Diageo Bar Academy in London, United Kingdom (Bronze Stevie® winner).

Campaign strategy and execution, as well as video production, were provided by Okemos, Michigan-based marketing communications firm, Publicom Inc.

The Stevie® Awards received over 1,600 submissions for categories ranging from individual achievements like Executive and Entrepreneur of the Year to organizational distinctions. Nominations were selected as Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie® Award winners by the average scores of more than 200 professionals worldwide on six juries.

About LAFCU
Founded in 1936, LAFCU (pronounced laugh-cue) is a not-for-profit, member-owned credit union open to all who live, work, worship or attend school in Michigan, and to Michigan businesses. LAFCU serves more than 74,000 members and holds over $1 billion in assets. With a particular focus on serving people of modest means, LAFCU is committed to enhancing its members' financial well-being and creating long-lasting positive change across generations. Awarded the prestigious Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award, LAFCU is known for its people-helping-people mission, which has led to award-winning financial literacy programs for all ages. Honored as a national ‘Best Credit Union to Work For’ and recognized globally for its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, LAFCU stands out for its commitment to creating an inclusive workplace. Learn more at www.lafcu.com. 

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Photo captions
1-LAFCU-Stevie Award.jpg — Michigan-based credit union, LAFCU was chosen from over 1,600 entries worldwide and honored with a Stevie® Award in New York City for its four-week international communications campaign focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. 

2-LAFCU-Stevie Award.jpg — LAFCU formed an employee-driven DEI Committee, which helped craft the award-winning, four-week internal communications campaign designed to increase participation, raise awareness throughout the organization and educate staff about the importance of DEI.