NYSE Event Recognizes Outstanding Work of Congressional Champions and Financial Services Leaders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Kate Karasmeighan

202-234-9181

kkarasmeighan@nglcc.org

 

(January 12, 2010) New York, NY-Yesterday the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce held its 2010 Diversity and Leadership in Financial Services Awards dinner and the event proved a major success, as hundreds of people came out to honor industry leaders and congressional champions who have demonstrated a commitment to workplace diversity and leadership.

 

During the Jan. 11 event at the New York Stock Exchange, the NGLCC honored executives in the financial services sector for their accomplishments, and hosted a number of Members of Congress and the New York City Council. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and Bank of America were Presenting Sponsors for the third year in a row. ING was the Presenting Sponsor of the reception on the NYSE Trading Floor in advance of the awards dinner.

 

"These companies are leading the way in the financial services sector," said Justin Nelson, president and co-founder of the NGLCC. "It is their work that defines workplace diversity here and around the globe, and we are pleased to honor them for their continued commitment to building diverse and accessible workplaces and supply chains."

 

John Taft, head of the U.S. division of RBC Wealth Management and CEO of RBC Capital Markets Corporation, was given the Outstanding Corporate Diversity Leader award this year for his work on behalf of GLADE, the corporation's LGBT employee resource group. Under Taft's direction, RBC amended its non-discrimination policies by adding gender identity and expression, which allowed the company to receive 100-percent score on the HRC Corporate Equality Index.

"Our three finalists for this year's award are all strong allies of the LGBT community," said Richard Oceguera, director of membership and corporate partnership at NGLCCNY, who presented the award.

 

The 2010 Financial Services Diversity Corporation of the Year award went to Morgan Stanley for its vigorous work in expanding diversity programs and outreach, its perfect score on the HRC's Corporate Equality Index (CEI) every year since 2006, and its decision to include LGBT-owned businesses in its diverse supply chain.

 

The runners up for the 2010 Financial Services Diversity Corporation of the Year award were Ameriprise Financial and Bank of New York Mellon, both of which have also received perfect scores on the CEI for several years.

 

RBC Wealth Management was a repeat winner for the night as received the 2010 award for Excellence in LGBT Marketing and Outreach, for its unmatched inclusion of the LGBT community in its marketing and outreach efforts to reach the LGBT segment. Specifically, RBC offers genuine portrayals of LGBT people and their families in its advertisements, and the corporation's financial planning materials are always personalized to address the unique needs of LGBT business owners and families. 

 

The Chairman's Trust Award was given to president and COO of Goldman Sachs, Gary Cohn. "Gary Cohn is receiving this award because of his constant and outspoken support of Goldman Sachs' LGBT employees and the LGBT community in general," Karasmeighan said.

 

The 2010 LGBT Program/Initiative of the Year was awarded to Wells Fargo Advisors for its Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor (ADPA) program. "Wells Fargo Advisors understands that while some of the financial planning needs of the LGBT community are the same as those faced by their heterosexual counterparts, questions of legality and laws varying from state to state can make financial planning for some same-sex couples more complicated and confusing," said NGLCC co-founder and CEO, Chance Mitchell, who presented the award. "The ADPA program ensures that some of the most difficult financial decisions faced by people in committed relationships are not made more difficult simply because they are LGBT."

 

The NGLCC also recognized U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., as the 2010 U.S. Senate Congressional Champion. Nelson said Schumer's long history of public service and support for LGBT legislation, coupled with his sponsorship of hate crimes legislation, ensured his recognition. "Senator Schumer is a tireless champion of LGBT equality measures with a record to show for it," Nelson said.

 

Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., was honored with the 2010 NGLCC House Congressional Leadership award for her accomplishments in public office, including her support of LGBT legislation and authoring the Credit Card Holders Bill of Rights. Specifically, Maloney is a strong proponent of a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and was a firm and vocal supporter of the fully inclusive hate crimes bill. "She is smart, she is compassionate, and she believes in challenging individuals and industry to do better," Nelson said. "She is a leader, she is a champion of small business people, and she is a champion of equality and a friend of the NGLCC."

 

Nelson announced that next year's event will grow even more inclusive by working with groups representing people of color, women and persons with disabilities to create the first annual all-segment diversity event in the industry.

 

"With all the negative news in the press about the financial services industry, it's a good idea to take time to pause and realize that these firms employ thousands and thousands of everyday Americans, and their commitment to diversity ensures many of them are people of color, women, LGBT people and persons with disabilities," Nelson said.

 

Also in attendance at the event were Rep. Eric Massa, D-N.Y., Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, and New York City Councilman Daniel Dromm.