When I sat down to write this article, I was reflecting on the need for action-oriented allies on business ventures and on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the term ally is amplified, and we all must realize that allies are critical to human safety around the globe. What will the world become without people helping people? We need allies to gain traction for our causes, to get shit done (GSD).

We must believe in the importance of belonging and inclusiveness, not tribal exclusiveness where perception becomes reality as we surround ourselves with people just like us or tell us what we want to hear. That’s not an ally! An ally stands with you, has your back and often leads the charge to ensure vulnerable voices are heard. They sometimes even shield us from harm.

The more I learn, the more I realize what I don’t know, and it is time to step into uncharted territories. Being an ally allows me to take one step at a time, put myself on a path of discovery and then use my network to advance people in life; don’t ask permission, ask forgiveness and ask – no require – myself to establish a place for all of us to come together. A few tough, painful memories to confess where life was hard, people called me out, rightfully so, and I learned how to create allyship.

First day on a new job, I received a call from a client who said, “This branch data exchange report is garbage, and you are responsible. It’s your data.” He was Carl Schmidt, Comptroller of Banks, State of California. I bristled, asked why, he told me and then I cringed. He was right! Two years later, we were allies in starting new charters in California, one being University National Bank in Palo Alto, which he founded using “my data.”

First meeting as a pregnant sales rep, and I was extending my hand to shake the male CEOs. He walked right past me to my male direct report. A moment of embarrassment and vulnerability turned into a price increase as I silently justified that this person wouldn’t be easy to work with. My colleagues may have gasped, but they had my back and became my allies.

First Athena Award for the Global Women’s Leadership Network in 2010, and we gave it to a man! What in the world? How could you? But then-CO-OP Solutions CEO Stan Hollen had promoted countless women to the C-Suite, many of whom progressed to become CEOs. It was the perfect opportunity to put him front and center as an ally for GWLN. Of course, adding obnoxiously pink ties to the mix was another way to build allyship on the main stage. Bringing your inner circle of allies with you (Mike Stankovic, Joe Schroeder) and announcing at the GWLN breakfast in DC that Brian Branch and Jim Nussle had become some of GWLN’s first male members sky-rocketed the inclusiveness of the initiative.

First credit union Volunteer Nominating Committee Chair role for me in 2012, and I was asked to help the Board realign to reflect the current membership and position the credit union for the future. One long-term board member was not re-nominated as a result. He told me it was worse than losing a member of his family – and it was my fault. It was an arrow through my heart because there is real love between volunteers and their credit unions. I share this story because allies need to help us see when it’s time to step aside. Don’t make someone else tell you or take it away from you.

Looking around the room at the Underground Collision in 2017, I realized people who looked just like me – same color, age, wrinkles – were the ones leading our “off the main stage” discussions. I challenged myself and our team to dig deeper, seek true diversity of thought. At the 2022 Underground Collision, I was absolutely astounded by the beautiful array of voices and colors standing up together. GSD!

In the fall of 2019, I received a call from Renee Sattiewhite, CEO of AACUC, asking why she was not selected for a GWLN scholarship. It was a challenge that left me speechless; I couldn’t answer her authentically. Yes, I could have used generic platitudes: others were more deserving, needed the money, etc., but I really didn’t know, and I told her so. At the next Underground Collision in February 2020, Renee stood beside me at the Underground Collision to tell her story and lift her voice! A day of reckoning came with George Floyd’s murder, and that put us on a path forward, together as allies with a Commitment to Change, representation on the CU DEI Collective Governing Body and Worldwide Foundation Board. In 2022, I wore my sister queen tiara proudly when Renee and AACUC received the Founder’s Award from National CU Foundation.

Linda Bodie, CEO of Element Federal Credit Union spoke her truth at the Underground Collision in 2018, sparking allies to come  forward to officially launch CU Pride in 2020, a movement to elevate the LGBTQ+ community within credit unions. Collaboratively, we shifted ideas into action, and by 2022 more than 1,200 active members – LGBTQ+ and allies – committed to bringing inclusivity and belonging. Those on the forefront are taking arrows today, so stand strong allies. Live your values.

Innumerable examples exist of credit union leaders building allyship, and each felt like a struggle/labor of love at the time. Now with the war raging in Ukraine, allyship takes on a different, critical meaning to me. I was in DC on Feb. 26, and I walked in the peace march at the White House. I saw people standing up and pushing America to get involved. Credit union leaders from around the globe activated the Ukrainian Displacement Fund on Feb. 27, through the Worldwide Foundation. Incredible and fast response from WOCCU.

Seeing the anguish and  the flood of Ukrainian refugees (more than 2 million, mostly women and children) escaping into Poland, we talked to our credit union allies and within two weeks of a field visit by Dr. Brian Branch and American Heritage FCU CEO Bruce Foulke to Lublin, Poland, the Polish American Credit Union Support Fund was established by Rafal Matsuiak, president of Poland’s CU trade association, the National Association of Co-operative Savings and Credit Unions. This fund makes it possible for US credit unions to donate directly to credit unions in Poland who are changing lives of the Ukrainian refugees.

Visit https://pacus.skok.pl to contribute today!

Credit unions around the world are standing up to help Polish credit unions serving on the frontline of millions of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the violence. Credit union to credit union, offering a phased approach, from human care to financial care that builds upon our mission of people helping people.

Each of these challenges was demanding, and there will always be another one right behind the last. I may not be in the line of fire, but I am an ally. I encourage credit union leaders to be vulnerable and authentic. Don’t just sit back, but instead leverage your networks, use your voice and demonstrate that leaders must be allies for real progress to be made.