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MEDIA CENTRE

First West executive receives national recognition for her work in the people and culture space 

LANGLEY, B.C. – First West Credit Union is honoured to announce that Liz Bailey-Connor, Chief People & Culture Officer, has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Chief Human Resources Officers and Chief People Officers of 2024 by DiversityCan Magazine. This award recognizes Bailey-Connor’s outstanding contributions and dedication to fostering diversity and driving positive change within the organization and the broader community.  

“I am incredibly honoured to receive this prestigious award and grateful to be named amongst such esteemed company,” says Bailey-Connor, Chief People & Culture Officer at First West Credit Union. “This recognition is a testament to First West’s unwavering commitment to fostering an empowering environment that champions equity, inclusivity, and diversity while ensuring every team member’s uniqueness is valued and celebrated.”   

Editors at DiversityCan recognized Bailey-Connor’s impact on employee-driven cultural transformation at First West. Under her leadership, team members have created seven thriving equity, inclusion, and diversity (EID) affinity groups, spearheaded a review of the credit union’s employment systems to identify and initiate removal of employment barriers for equity-seeking groups, provided ongoing organization-wide EID training, and established processes for removing hiring barriers. 

“This award celebrates the collective effort of our unique and valuable team members who not only embrace the credit union’s purpose, but also amplify it by contributing their own innovative ideas,” says Bailey-Connor. “We strive to wholeheartedly ensure that every team member can flourish without barriers— when this happens, it has a positive impact on our members and communities.” 

For more information on DiversityCan Magazine and their mission to help corporate Canada better understand the business case for diversity and multiculturalism, visit www.diversitycan.com 

Company Information

About First West Credit Union

First West Credit Union offers members the financial strength, comprehensive product selection and extended branch network of a large financial institution while maintaining local brand identities and a unique grassroots approach to service. Led by Launi Skinner, First West is one of Canada’s largest credit unions with nearly $18.6 billion in total assets and assets under administration, more than 270,000 members and approximately 1,250 team members. It operates 45 branches throughout the province under the Envision Financial, Valley First, Island Savings and Enderby & District Financial brands. Visit firstwestcu.ca for more information on First West Credit Union.

Media Contacts

Josh Juhlke

Communications Manager 
c: 416-360-5967  
jjuhlke@firstwestcu.ca