Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment and community.
A Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I)
Bridgewater Bank recognizes that diverse perspectives strengthen decision-making and enrich the team member experience. Grounded in the Twin Cities community, we are committed to fostering a workplace that values diversity, advances equity, and promotes inclusion, both within our organization and in the communities we serve.
DE&I Overview
DE&I Policy
In 2024, Bridgewater adopted a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) Policy that reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and supported. The policy focuses on fair employment practices, fostering an inclusive culture, and strengthening our connection to the communities we serve.
Together with our Human Rights Policy, also adopted in 2024, these commitments underscore Bridgewater’s dedication to building a workplace grounded in dignity, fairness, and respect for all team members.
DE&I Committee
In 2019, Bridgewater Bank established a DE&I Committee which aims to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diversity of our team members and communities in which we live and work. The committee is made up of 10 team members from various levels and functions across the organization. It is organized around three themes aimed at fostering diversity awareness among team members by way of education, communication, and service within our community.
DE&I Book Club
In 2026, the DE&I Committee hosted its fifth annual book club featuring Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. Bringing together nearly 40 team members, we continued the poignant conversations around resilience in the face of adversity, empowerment through self-discovery, the richness of cultural identity, and the ways societal change shapes personal narratives.
Featured Holidays
Each month, the DEI Committee strives to internally communicate and recognize diverse events and holidays in an effort to increase our cultural knowledge and create a more inclusive work environment for all of our team members. This is done through educating our team members about various holidays and how these holidays are observed. The benefits are endless, from creating more productive relationships to making more insightful decisions.
Below are the holidays we are recognizing this month:
- Women's History Month - March 1st - 31st
- Holi - March 4th
- World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) March 21st
- Palm Sunday - March 29th
- Eid al-Fitr - March 29th - 30th (Sundown to Sundown)
- International Transgender Day of Visibility - March 31st
In 2025, the Committee hosted four branch activations to promote awareness and appreciation of diverse holidays through immersive, hands-on experiences. These activations highlighted Black History Month, Caribbean Heritage Month, Ivory Coast Independence Day, and Jewish High Holidays, inviting participants to delve into the rich histories and cultural significance of each celebration.
Workplace Diversity
At Bridgewater, our team members bring a wide range of perspectives and experiences to their work each day, shaping our culture and helping us better serve the diverse needs of our clients. We value the diversity that strengthens our workforce and contributes to how we collaborate, innovate, and deliver results.
As we continue to grow, we remain focused on attracting and retaining exceptional talent that aligns with Bridgewater’s unconventional culture. Supporting a diverse workforce is central to this effort, and we are committed to fostering inclusion and awareness through thoughtful recruiting practices, meaningful learning opportunities, and engagement within the communities we serve.
Women in Leadership
In 2025, Bridgewater named three new members to it’s Strategic Leadership Team, all of which were women: Katie Morrell was appointed as Chief Credit Officer, Jessica Stejskal was appointed as Chief Experience Officer, and Laura Espeseth was appointed as Chief Administrative Officer. All three women were promoted from within because of their talent, judgement, energy, and overall leadership ability to drive Bridgewater forward. In addition, Mary Jayne Crocker, who retired from her Chief Strategy Officer role in early 2026, was named to Bridgewater’s Board of Directors.
Bridgewater has demonstrated an ability to hire, retain, and promote talented women throughout the organization, including in leadership roles and was even recognized by Finance & Commerce as a 2025 Empowering Women Awards honoree.
These women have been recognized for their leadership in the banking industry:
In 2025, Bridgewater hosted its annual internal women’s event to celebrate the women of the Bank. The event featured two interactive creative workshops, followed by a guided learning experience designed to help attendees identify and leverage their unique strengths within a team environment.
Additionally, Bridgewater partnered with TeamWomen to host the Empower Leadership Academy at our Corporate Headquarters. This was a dynamic experience for girls ages 10-18 focused on building confidence and leadership skills. The bank invited daughters of both employees and clients to take part in this impactful opportunity meant to invest in the next generation of women leaders.
DE&I in the Community
Twin Cities Pride Beer Dabbler
Twenty Bridgewater team members celebrated pride at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden in June 2025, with complementary tickets provided by Bridgewater. Twin Cities Pride empowers every LGBTQ+ person to live as their true self as we value and celebrate pride throughout Minnesota.
Twin Cities Panda Fest
Ten Bridgewater team members celebrated the Twins Cities Panda Fest at the Mall of America North Lot in July 2025, with complementary tickets provided by Bridgewater. The Panda Fest is one of the biggest outdoor Asian food festivals in the US with experiential activities, tastings, and market fairs that showcases the vibrant food, art, and cultural traditions from Asia.
Uptown Membership
Bridgewater is proud to join the Uptown Association as a Community Partner, reinforcing our commitment to local businesses and community engagement. This partnership provides opportunities for digital outreach, including targeted e-blasts and social media promotions, to connect with Uptown residents and visitors. We look forward to participating in signature events like the Uptown Farmers Market and Open Streets Hennepin, as well as creative initiatives such as the “Finding Minne” scavenger hunt. Through these efforts, Bridgewater aims to strengthen relationships and support the economic vitality of Uptown. Together, we’re building a vibrant and connected community.