Photo: Diamond Credit Union employees celebrated being awarded Best Places to Work in PA at the awards dinner held on December 7 at the Lancaster Convention Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Diamond Credit Union was named as the fifteenth best medium-sized company in Pennsylvania by Best Companies Group. This is the eighth consecutive year that Diamond has been awarded as one of the Best Places to Work in PA.
The Credit Union was originally named as a Best Places to Work 2023 recipient in October. The rankings were announced on December 7 at an awards ceremony held at the Lancaster Convention Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
The theme of the of the awards dinner was superheroes, and Diamond’s President and CEO, Rick Patel, explained why Diamond’s employees embody the qualities of superheroes.
“Our employees, the superheroes of Diamond, are what makes us one of the best places to work,” Patel said. “Every day they jump at the opportunity to help members and each other, while having fun and spreading good will.”
To be in the running for Best Places to Work, employers and employees have to complete an in-depth questioner and provide their honest feedback about the workplace. Once completed, Best Companies Group analyzes the responses and determines if the organization makes the cut as a Best Places to Work recipient.
Diamond’s Community Involvement
Many know superheroes for their efforts to help community members. Diamond employees are always looking for way to give back to their communities. In 2023, the Diamond team held a variety of collection drives, fundraisers and even spent time volunteering with local organizations.
Branches collected food and other essential items to donate to Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities, Helping Harvest, Preston’s Pantry and Fostering Hope. Diamond also held fundraisers for Relay For Life throughout the year and the Exeter branch held Hot Dog Days to raise money for Toys for Tots.
Employee efforts don’t stop there though. Diamond volunteers participated in several parades and community days in Muhlenberg, Reading, Limerick, Pottstown, Boyertown and Exeter. Employees also spent a Saturday in September cleaning up a portion of the Schuylkill River Trail.
Helping to Further Leadership Development
Superheroes are also leaders and they set an example. Diamond Credit Union has encouraged employees to further their leadership skills throughout the year.
Exeter Assistant Branch Manager, Kaylee Alvarez, and Wyomissing Branch Membership Officer, Lizbeth Vega, participated in the United Way Blueprint for Leadership Program. The program taught Alvarez and Vega how to take on leadership roles by building their public speaking skills and teaching them about nonprofit governance, strategic leadership and more.
Diamond also launched a leadership development program, The Essentials of Management. Managers took part in lessons about effective motivation, managing mindsets, conflict and critical conversations and strategic thinking.
“Being named as one of the best places to work in PA gives us an opportunity to reflect on what we have accomplished this year,” Patel said. “I take pride in our achievements, and I can’t wait to see how we can help our communities in 2024.”