New York, NY (02/15/12) – Last Thursday, the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) and collaborating partners in the National Business Inclusion Consortium hosted the 2012 Financial Services Diversity Leadership Awards at the New York Stock Exchange. In a competitive year for diversity professionals, representatives from four companies, including Wells Fargo, State Street Corporation, Allstate Insurance, and Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, went home with the night’s top awards.
“We couldn’t be prouder of all the finalists and honorees this year,” said Justin G. Nelson, NGLCC President and Co-Founder. “In a tough year for this industry, we are constantly reminded of individuals and corporations who are working every day to ensure business opportunities are available, inclusive, and diverse.”
- 2012 Financial Services Diversity Corporation of the Year was awarded to the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies. With diversity initiatives focused on continuing education, network groups, and diversity training for all their employees, in addition to a fully inclusive supplier diversity program, Chubb Group of Insurance Companies has received international recognition for a consistent commitment to building a diverse workplace and community.
- 2012 NBIC Founders Trust Award was presented to Tim Hanlon from Wells Fargo. The National Business Inclusion Consortium (NBIC) gives this award for extraordinary commitment to diversity causes. As President of the Wells Fargo Foundation, Hanlon has been a trailblazer in AIDS funding and was one of the founding members of the Wells Fargo LGBT Team Member Network. In 2010, Wells Fargo donated $219 million to 19,000 nonprofits nationwide, and in addition, invested $621 million with certified minority-, women-, and disadvantaged-owned business enterprises.
- 2012 Outstanding Corporate Leader of the Year was awarded to Cheryl A. Harris, Senior Vice President of Sourcing and Procurement Solutions at Allstate Insurance for her long-time advocacy for supplier diversity. In 2006, Harris created and launched Accenture’s Diverse Supplier Development Program, an 18-month intensive mentoring opportunity intended to build the capacity of diverse-owned companies in order to better equip them to serve the demanding needs of global corporations. Harris is currently working to develop a similar program at Allstate.
- 2012 Program or Initiative of the Year went to State Street Corporation’s Unconscious Bias Training and WISE Training programs. Unconscious Bias Training introduces employees to new ways of thinking around inclusion and unconscious biases with practical activities and discussions. One hundred percent of State Street’s top-level management participated in the program, and State Street hopes to bring the program to further management populations in 2012. In addition, the Working Inclusively Supports Excellence (WISE) online training program fosters an environment of engagement and insight and has already been completed by 2000 associates globally.
Prior to the awards dinner, leaders from the financial services industry and global diversity business organizations gathered for the NBIC Diversity Executive Roundtable.
“For the second year, we had a powerful discussion about how this industry can impact not only top-level employment, but also set the tone for community neighborhoods,” said Chance Mitchell, NGLCC CEO and Co-Founder. “We were honored that Assistant Secretary of Labor Kathleen Martinez was on hand to address the roundtable on important disability employment issues. The NBIC will continue to fight for and recognize achievements in the arena of diversity.”
Hosted by the NGLCC for the past five years, the 2012 Financial Services Diversity Leadership Awards brought together a premier forum of top financial services companies and government officials. In addition to NGLCC, collaborating partners in the NBIC include the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, the National Black Justice Coalition, the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the United States Business Leadership Network: Disability at Work, and the United States Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce.
For information about previous award winners, visit www.NGLCC.org.
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CONTACT: Laura Berry, Communications Director, at 1-202-234-9181 or lberry@nglcc.org
About the NGLCC
The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is the only national not-for-profit advocacy organization dedicated to expanding the economic opportunities and advancements of LGBT business community. With more than 29,000 members, 140 corporate partners, and 52 local, state, and international affiliate chambers, NGLCC is the largest LGBT business development and economic advocacy organization in the world.
