Oklahoman named DEI officer at Arvest Financial institution

Fayetteville-chartered Arvest Financial institution mentioned Wednesday (Oct. 26) that Cinthya Allen of Norman, Okla., is the corporate’s new chief variety, fairness, and inclusion (DEI) officer, efficient Nov. 1.

Allen will be part of the financial institution after working as DEI officer and Individuals with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator for the town of Norman. She can also be an adjunct professor on the College of Oklahoma.

Allen will stay based mostly in Oklahoma.

“I’m thrilled that Cinthya is becoming a member of the Arvest household,” Arvest Chief Folks Officer Laura Andress mentioned in a information launch. “Her ardour, drive and dedication to DE&I – each inside the financial institution in addition to in our communities – makes her an ideal particular person to steer these efforts. The consequence will probably be a extra respectful and inclusive workforce, workplaces and communities for us all to develop and have a good time for many years to come back.”

In response to the discharge, her DE&I roots hint to AT&T, the place she led HACEMOS, AT&T’s Latino-focused employer useful resource group, amongst different obligations. She led HACEMOS because it grew in membership from 900 to 11,000 members and in the end served as its nationwide president. Allen additionally led company exterior affairs and served as a state-registered lobbyist for AT&T.

Allen is a board member for the Latino Group Improvement Company and Massive Brothers Massive Sisters of Norman and is a member of the Norman Rotary Membership.

“I’m excited to affix the Arvest household,” Allen mentioned. “The people-centric dedication that runs all through the group is the lifeblood of our Range, Fairness, and Inclusion ideas. I look ahead to partnering with our groups to study, lead and construct our workforce and communities in transformative methods.”

Arvest has greater than $26 billion in property and places of work in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

Allen fills the position beforehand held by LaTricia Hill Chandler of Rogers. In 2019, she was named Arvest Financial institution’s first DEI officer, overseeing the initiative throughout the corporate’s four-state footprint.

Hill-Chandler took an analogous position with Southern Bancorp Inc. this previous summer time.