The corporations and individuals honored at the fourth annual NGLCC Diversity & Leadership in Financial Services Awards at the New York Stock Exchange on Monday reflect the deepening commitment to diversity the industry is making.
After an unprecedented bell ringing by the NGLCC and its cross-diverse-segment consortium of collaborating partners, the winners of the Financial Services Diversity Corporation of the Year, Corporate Leader of the Year and Program Initiative of the Year were recognized at an evening event that began with a reception on the Trading Floor of the NYSE and ended with an awards dinner in the dining room.
The event was the first cross segment diversity event in the financial services industry and included the Women's Business Enterprise National Council, the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Business Leadership Network: Disability at Work, the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce, and the National Black Justice Coalition, in addition to NGLCC. The communities represented by participating groups represent more than $8.89 trillion in collective spending power.
Presenting sponsors for the event were Goldman Sachs and Bank of America. Platinum sponsors were ING and Wells Fargo. Gold sponors were BNY Mellon, MetLife and Morgan Stanley. Silver sponsors were Capital One, JP Morgan Chase & Co., NYSE Euronext, Office Depot and RBC Wealth Management. Enterprise sponsors included Lan Airlines and NY Life.
"Recognizing financial services companies that share our collective commitment to ensuring an equal opportunity for diverse communities to succeed as business owners, entrepreneurs and employees is an important milestone in our nation's economic recovery," said Justin Nelson, co-founder and president of the NGLCC.
The Financial Services Diversity Corporation of the Year Award was given to ING for its diverse workforce and supplier network, its partnerships with nonprofit organizations serving people from all backgrounds, and its programming that empowers individuals through education, financial literacy and financial planning, with special attention given to the needs of young multicultural people.
"We're honored to receive this recognition for our diversity and inclusion efforts," said Rob Leary, CEO of ING Insurance U.S. "Leveraging the skills and talents of our employees, including providing a fair and respectful environment, is at the heart of our core business principles. We understand that our strategic commitment to diversity and inclusion helps us better serve our stakeholders and compete in the global marketplace. Recognition like this encourages ING to set the bar even higher in this area."
Donna Griffin, senior vice president and chief diversity officer of Chubb Group Insurance Companies, received the Corporate Leader of the Year Award for her proven track record of effecting positive cultural change and her ability to create and drive long-term diversity strategies with a global perspective. Griffin's understanding of the challenges facing women and LGBT individuals in business has led her to serve on Chubb's Women's Development Council and the company's Gay and Lesbian Employee Network. Griffin is also the founding corporate sponsor of the company's Black Employee Network.
Capitol One's Future Leaders Forum for Young Women received the award for Program Initiative of the Year. The forum, which is dedicated to the leadership development of women from low- to moderate-income households, has encouraged more than 1,500 young women in the Richmond, Va. area to explore their leadership strengths, overcome obstacles and challenges, and discover their identity and purpose. The program also provides workshops on financial education, networking and counteracting stereotypes.
Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., was honored with the Congressional Diversity Champion Award for his commitment and work to empower diverse communities through economics.
"There is no one better in the U.S. Senate who embodies that understanding and commitment to forward momentum for all Americans than U.S. Senator Robert Menendez," Nelson said.
