Diversity in the Workplace
Diversity plays a vital role in every level of our organization and we continue to explore new ways to provide valuable training and development opportunities to our workforce. Through mentoring programs, professional development, training, networking groups, promotions, job transfers and other avenues, you’ll find great opportunities to interact and learn from your colleagues.
Executive Diversity Champions
Mary Schmoeger, Executive Vice President
In 2005, American Family Insurance formed an executive team to strengthen our diversity and inclusion initiatives. Known as the Executive Diversity Champions (EDC), the team is involved in all aspects of our diversity programs, including monitoring diversity results, setting expectations for company management and considering diversity as a factor in every business initiative.
The EDC team also provides visible support for diversity in hiring, supplier programs, talent development and other initiatives.
If you look at our markets and our customers, it’s obvious how diverse they are. We see a great variety of people of various ethnicities, incomes and cultural values. If we want to serve these customers well and maintain their trust in us, we need to welcome and promote various perspectives and approaches from within our organization.
Business Resource Groups
Anu Sundram, Manager
American Family Insurance Business Resource Groups provide a link between diverse employee groups, human resources staff and senior company management. These groups bring together diverse employees to help the company tackle business challenges using unique perspectives and ideas.
In my business resource group, I worked with people from many different departments and I worked with senior executives. It was interesting and educational and all of us felt we made a significant contribution.
Members work together on company initiatives and programs such as recruitment, professional development and education. Their input regarding new ways of approaching our business reflects the changing needs of our customers and employees brought about by demographic shifts.
If you become involved in a Business Resource Group, you’ll also find that you can develop informal mentoring and networking relationships with people across the company. The environment of open exchange, collaboration and creative thinking will energize and motivate you!
Diversity and Inclusion Network
Helen Taylor, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant
Our Diversity and Inclusion Network combines company-wide events with additional, smaller events in local offices to create an environment where all ideas are heard and differences are celebrated.
If you join the activities of a Diversity and Inclusion Network, you could be instrumental in:
- organizing discussion forums with guest speakers
- planning themed events
- setting up informal discussion and networking opportunities for all employees
I oversee the Diversity and Inclusion Network and I work every day with our network leaders and teams across our operating states. Everyone involved has a terrific attitude and is instrumental in helping us create a culture that encourages collaboration and raises awareness about the differences and similarities of our employees and customers which, in turn, enhances our work environment. Isn’t that what inclusion is all about.