{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Breaking Ground as a Community Bank Chief Diversity Officer","description":"While many larger banks have created \u201cchief diversity officer\u201d roles over the past several years, that role has been more of a rarity at smaller banks. On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast \u2014 sponsored by IntraFi Network \u2014 Nicole Almeida, CFMP, talks about how her career has taken her from from retail stores to bank branches to bank marketing and, most recently, to a new role as chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for BayCoast Bank. \u201cIt really needs dedication,\u201d Almeida says, noting that the DEI goals of the $2.5 billion Massachusetts mutual bank required more than a cross-departmental committee but rather the focused attention of full-time bank professionals. Almeida discusses how her role as a community bank CDO facilitates DEI partnerships and initiatives both within and outside of the bank. She shares advice for individuals transitioning into community bank CDO jobs and talks about BayCoast\u2019s pilot program to boost diverse talent through a three-year bachelor\u2019s program that provides a full scholarship and part-time bank job. Almeida also talks about how her former role as chief marketing officer paved the way for her to serve as CDO. \u201cAs marketers, you touch every aspect of the organization,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s that empathy and personality behind marketing that transitions really well and allows you to communicate well with everyone.\u201d Read more about Almeida\u2019s bank career in ABA Bank Marketing. ","author_name":"ABA Banking Journal Podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/bankingjournal.aba.com\/tag\/podcast\/","html":"