NAWRB CONFERENCE
*Photo 4
Our welcome reception kicked off on Monday evening with guests reconnecting with old friends and building new relationships. With representatives from the U.S. Treasury, the Office(s) of Minority and Women Inclusion (OMWI), Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs), the Small Business Administration (SBA) and other great organizations, our kick-off party provided the perfect balance between lighthearted conversation and pivotal interactions.
rector Stuart Ishimaru of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and OMWI Deputy Director Eric Howard of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), addressed the current state of the OMWIs and explained to our attendees how this ground-breaking work affects and helps their businesses (photo 3). The directors expressed their excitement about Dodd-Frank and emphasized the need for engagement and promotion of diversity and inclusion to secure progress.
Tuesday’s opening keynote address was delivered by Yvonne Lee of the SBA’s Office of Advocacy Region IX and provided an update on the most prevalent issues hindering small businesses (photo 2). Lee spoke of the Office of Advocacy’s efforts to eradicate these difficulties through their outreach projects and research. She emphasized the potential of women- and minority-owned businesses as the housing sector and economy improve, and stressed the importance of uniting as a community to promote the success of our nation’s small businesses.
Concerning the interagency policy statement, Brooks stressed the importance of leadership in ensuring accountability due to the fact that the standards lack enforcement. She went on to state that having to report her progress keeps her accountable and articulated her hope that the statement encourages entities to proactively improve their D&I efforts. Ishimaru also addressed the importance of accountability, and explicated the support that these standards will provide the CFPB in the pursuit of their diversity and inclusion goals. Furthermore, he affirmed that diversity work is often overlooked and that the standards are a success and an opportunity for people to witness the thriving minority and women’s movement.
Lee elaborated on the significance of capital for the survival of small businesses and delineated the connection between the housing crisis and the U.S. economy, when countless small businesses began going under as business owners lost their homes. She also emphasized the importance of being proactive and addressing business problems as soon as they become apparent, explaining that if a business lasts more than two years its longevity past five years is usually very good. Our “Annual OMWI Update,” featuring OMWI Senior Deputy Director Melodee Brooks of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), OMWI Di-
Recounting the work being done at the FHFA, Howard detailed their recently-released OMWI strategic plan and explained the outlines it provides for the assessment of the agency’s D&I progress. Howard also spoke of the innovative scorecard the FHFA developed for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which for the first time ever includes a diversity and inclusion section. The plan and scorecard are just a few of the initiatives the FHFA has commenced to increase their diversity and inclusion. NAWRB MAGAZINE |
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