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■ Diversity , Equity & Inclusion

■ Diversity , Equity & Inclusion

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Wiss By Amanda Dominguez , Head of People Operations
Diversity is no longer a mere measure of how morally correct an organization is in connection with their demographic landscape . Creating a diverse and inclusive workforce enables us to leverage all of the unique backgrounds , experiences and perspectives to achieve a competitive business advantage — one that attracts and retains top talent and that delivers the most innovative and leading-edge client service . Our diversity , combined with a highly collaborative approach to client service , allows us to connect and be empathic to the needs of a similarly diverse client base . When clients feel heard and understood , we stand out from the rest . Also , having a diverse and inclusive workforce helps to build a “ safe ” environment where employees feel free to be their authentic selves at work . When talent can be their authentic self and feel a sense of belonging , they become more engaged , enabling them to maximize their potential .
Withum By Bill Bradshaw , CDP , Director of Inclusion & Diversity
At Withum , our intentional commitment to inclusion and diversity provides the foundation of the firm ’ s value-driven culture . Today , more than ever , our clients are leaning in to see what initiatives we are taking to allow our team to reach their fullest potential in an inclusive work environment . Creating a culture of inclusion , where all of our talent can thrive , lends itself to higher levels of team member engagement . As a result , we are able to assist our clients in addressing their most pressing challenges and offer innovative solutions while allowing our diverse workforce to thrive in their careers .
BANKING
Bank of America By Alberto Garofalo , NJ Market President
The value we deliver as a company is strengthened when we bring broad perspectives together to meet the needs of our diverse clients and other stakeholders . There is also a strong business case for being a diverse and inclusive company , with many reports citing improved business performance as a result of companies ’ robust D & I efforts . We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive culture because everyone benefits in a workplace where all employees can bring their whole selves to work . We hold ourselves accountable , and we measure inclusion through our D & I Index , which reached record levels in 2020 . Our goal is to mirror the clients and communities we serve and we expand the reach of our impact through our many leadership councils and 11 Employee
Networks , as well as through partnerships with organizations focused on advancing and driving inclusion in the workplace . Building on our long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion , this year , we committed $ 1 billion over four years to advance racial equality and economic opportunity by addressing critical issues for communities of color , including healthcare , jobs , small businesses and housing .
Columbia Bank By Geri Kelly , EVP , HR Officer
Columbia Bank has a long history of providing great client and employee experiences . We use diversity and inclusion to deliver top-notch client service by capturing feedback from our employees who take time to nominate a peer for providing the best-in-class client experience . In addition , we ensure our recruiting strategy includes veterans , women , various ethnicities , disabilities and other categories that fall within diverse populations . We value the diverse perspectives and experiences of others , and reflect them in our marketing and social media strategy . As a public organization with more than 600 employees , we strive to create an environment where employees are able to voice their ideas and feel valued . This is evident in our CEO New Hire Lunch titled “ Time w / Tom ”. In addition to lunch with the CEO , every new employee attends a workshop titled “ Generations in the Workplace ”, to learn the benefits each generation brings into our culture . Providing a superior client and employee experience are core values of our bank . Diversity and Inclusion is instrumental in helping to drive our
Companies that use diversity as part of their go-to-market strategy enjoy 19 percent higher innovation revenues , capture more market share and are 70 percent more likely to have entered a new market . Continued On Page 8
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