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24 Worcester Business Journal F O C U S D I V E R S I T Y & I N C L U S I O N W hile treating people with care and respect has always been one of the guiding principles of Fidelity Bank and the bank's LifeDesign approach, we realized there was even more we could do to make a difference in the communities that we serve. Fidelity Bank Chairman and CEO Edward F. Manzi Jr. was instrumental in the creation of the Fidelity Bank Inclusion and Diversity Advisory Board. As a woman of color, I am proud to serve as the Advisory Board Chairperson. Our mission statement declares our commitment to being a caring corporate citizen, cultivating and sustaining a culture that celebrates our differences and promotes inclusion and equality. We strongly oppose racism and social injustice in any form. Our plans are to contribute to the positive and sustainable growth of the communities we serve for the purpose of enabling all to flourish and prosper. One example is that we have committed $45,000 over three years to our partner- ship with Entrepreneurship for All as they expand their service in Worcester and North Central Massachusetts. E for All empowers businesses that might otherwise struggle. Businesses owned by people of color, women, immigrants, and people who were previously unemployed. Owners selected for their accelerator program are paired with mentors, in some cases receive financial help, and continue to get support from the organization after their business is launched. We strongly believe that this partnership will provide new business opportunities and ongoing support to a diverse group of entrepreneurs. As the Chief Retail Banking Officer, I have a dual role of overseeing a diverse team of colleagues who provide client services in our net- work of (14) LifeDesign Banking Centers, Client Care Center, and our Investment Team. It is my belief that when you have a diverse workplace, you have a strong organization that draws on everyone's collective experi- ences. Clients see staff that reflects their community and understands their hopes and fears, so they can make deci- sions with clarity and confidence. Internally, to promote inclusion we are establishing a Bank Diversity Council made up of a diverse group of colleagues. This group will be working on several initiatives, including evaluating our training programs and exploring new ways to promote inclusion and diversity within the bank. Fidelity Bank already has an internal education program with Nichols College, called LifeDesign University, that helps our most promising colleagues garner skills for the next steps of their careers with Fidelity Bank. I work at Fidelity Bank because I can help people take steps that will lead to bet- ter opportunities in their lives. No matter what our field, we all must prioritize inclusion and diversity to ensure everyone has a fair chance to reach their fullest potential. Sheila King Goodwin, Fidelity Bank SVP and Chief Retail Banking Officer FIDELITY BANK: A Fair Chance for Everyone to Reach Their Full Potential If you value the differences in people, the differences will create value. We put this on the wall of our board room in 2008. It's been inspiring us every day since. www.fidelitybankonline.com W Sheila King Goodwin Special Sponsored Section