SPONSORED SPECIAL SECTION | REDWOOD CREDIT UNION
Company culture To best serve members, RCU believes in strong support for its team
S ince its inception in 1950, Redwood Credit Union has grown to not only become the largest credit union in the North Bay but also the eighth largest in the state, as well as the largest financial institution based in the North Bay. Serving more than 485,000 members is no small feat, which is why along with commemorating 75 years in business this year, RCU is also celebrating its more than 950 employees who dedicate so much of their time to the company. And the credit union makes it a priority to show appreciation for employees. “We focus on creating a fun environment where team members feel valued, engaged, challenged and supported,” says Kashi Moore- Stallworth, senior vice president of people at RCU. RCU’s emphasis on teamwork is core to its strong culture, and supporting its team is part of its core mission. Notably, RCU has been recognized as a Best Place to Work in the North Bay for the past 19 years—and it’s this award that RCU president and CEO Brett Martinez says makes him most proud. According to Moore-Stallworth, the credit union offers team members a plethora of benefits including: a tuition-reimbursement program, paid time off, hybrid work schedules, short- and long-term incentives, loan and product discounts, and more. The company also recognizes the importance of helping team members in their personal and professional growth. “We know that taking care of our team members is essential for them to be able to take good care of our credit union members,” says Kristen Mahlmann, chief financial officer. “So this will always be a focus for us as we continue to strive to inspire well-being throughout the communities we serve.” RCU has a culture and wellness program for its employees that offers education on celebrating allyship and belonging, as well as improving physical and mental well-being, among other topics. The company also asks team members to participate in an independently administered employee-engagement survey, giving insight to RCU leadership as to how the company is serving employees as an organization. “While our scores are consistently in the high 90s, we continually use the feedback we receive to work together with our teams on opportunities to further enhance engagement and strengthen our culture,” says Moore-Stallworth. Part of creating an environment in which employees feel valued is making sure to celebrate team-member achievements and career By Ana Fingerson
Halloween celebrations are legendary.” But it’s more than just cool costumes and avocados, she says. The company also prioritizes communication and connection, with the goal of creating a culture of collaboration and teamwork across the workforce. The Redwood Credit Union Band performs at Redwood Credit Union’s biannual Day of Inspiration, held in October 2024 at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. [Photo by Will Bucquoy]
“We often say the most important decision we make is who we hire,” says Mahlmann. “We attribute our overall success to having the right people in place, with great training and utilizing our sophisticated systems.” She says by focusing long term on both team members and credit union members, RCU has built a solid foundation to serve its communities well into the future. To that end, encouraging an open dialogue is crucial in ensuring employee ideas and suggestions are communicated to leadership, says Mahlmann. One chief component is the establishment of an advisory committee of non-management staff from across the organization which meets monthly
Kristen Mahlmann, chief financial officer
with president and CEO Brett Martinez to share input and effect change. Other avenues for communication include daily team huddles, regularly scheduled coffee chats where team members have an open forum to ask questions to Martinez and the executive team, monthly all-team meetings, and a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, which provides helpful resources and learning opportunities and fosters open dialogue to empower employees around DEI topics. “With an emphasis on service standards such as ‘doing the right thing’ and ‘demonstrating trust and respect,’ RCU fosters a supportive workplace with diverse viewpoints, which contributes to a fulfilling work environment for our team,” says Moore-Stallworth. “Which translates to more positive experiences for our members.” n
development. For instance, RCU holds an annual event for team members who reach the milestone of five years or more working with the company. Throughout the year they also honor employees of the month, hold team-member-appreciation days, host recognition events for top performers, and more. “We also have a lot of fun at our holiday parties, team-building activities and potlucks,” says Moore-Stallworth, who highlighted the Cinco de Mayo “Guac-Off” as a particularly notable event. Adds Moore-Stallworth: “And our
Kashi Moore-Stallworth, SVP people
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52 NorthBaybiz
January 2025
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