At the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago), our employees, our members, and the communities they serve are diverse, and we celebrate that diversity by fostering a culture where all are engaged, respected, and given equitable opportunities to succeed. Today, we are proud to announce that Cedric D. Thurman has been named one of Crain’s Chicago Business Notable DEI Executives. As our EVP, Chief Diversity Officer, Group Head, Community Investment and Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, he is helping us build a culture that embraces our differences to make us better and stronger in all that we do.

Mr. Thurman received several nominations for this award, including a nomination from the Bank as well as from his alma mater, The University of Illinois’ Gies College of Business, where he received his bachelor of science in Finance. He continued his education at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, where he received his MBA in Marketing and Management Strategy.

Throughout his career, Mr. Thurman has focused on ways to help shape company culture and provide opportunities for all employees. He’s led and implemented strategic DEI plans for several companies where he assessed, nurtured, and cultivated a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Under Mr. Thurman’s leadership, we saw the positive impact our products and programs can have in promoting equity across Illinois and Wisconsin for those disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through our COVID-19 Relief Program and Targeted Impact Fund. In the wake of the killing of George Floyd, we made a commitment to action to create positive change and address systemic racism in the diverse communities our members serve. We began our commitment by listening and learning through panel discussions on race, conversations focused on the racial wealth gap, access to housing and capital, and opportunities to learn about different cultures. Through these engagements spearheaded by Mr. Thurman both within the Bank and across the FHLBank System, we gained new perspectives and insights on how to enrich our culture, deepen our support for our members’ communities, and become even more intentional in our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“We are proud to have Cedric be a key part of our leadership team and we applaud him for this wonderful recognition,” stated President and CEO, Michael Ericson. “Thank you for continuing to be a catalyst for change at FHLBank Chicago. We look forward to your continued leadership and the positive change you bring to our bank, our members and the communities we serve.”

You can read more in this special edition of Crain’s Chicago Business 2021 Notable Executives in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that features Mr. Thurman along with all recipients of this prestigious award.