tribute from john bissell, president and ceo of greylock federal credit union

​​In late 2015, Greylock Federal Credit Union began investigating options for a Diversity Training program to offer our managers. Multicultural BRIDGE’S Cultural Competency program was hands-down the best training option offered in the marketplace.

Greylock selected BRIDGE’s program because their training focuses on many of the topics and issues that Greylock employees assist our members with on a daily basis. We also selected the program based on the incredible knowledge and experience Gwendolyn Hampton VanSant brings to the classroom. She has many certifications and life experiences that truly make her a subject-matter-expert and community leader.

In 2016, Gwendolyn delivered BRIDGE’s Cultural Competency program to over 60 Greylock Federal Credit Union managers and supervisors. The full-day program was packed with activities to facilitate learning and insight. Managers were encouraged to use the information when selecting new products or services at Greylock, and determining which vendors to conduct business with.

In 2017, Greylock delivered a condensed version of the Cultural Competency program to approximately 200 staff-level employees. Participants engaged in many of the same learning activities as their managers did, with less focus on how to integrate these topics into the workplace.

In order to remain culturally competent, Greylock has also contracted with BRIDGE to lead roundtable discussions with our managers two times per year, focusing on topics that we face as an employer and as a financial services provider. This year, the topics are Immigration Considerations and Generational Considerations. Much of the discussion is driven by participant questions, with no advance notice. Gwendolyn has proven once again to be an effect resource who carries a wealth of knowledge on a variety of topics. She’s able to answer our questions with ease and share complex, detailed information that helps to ensure our employees are better equipped to serve the community at large.

Greylock Federal Credit Union is a proud partner and supporter of Multicultural BRIDGE and the programs they provide our communities.