Page 110 - Forbes - USA (October 2019)

PROMOTION

entrepreneurs and thought leaders as
ELC members is an immediate response.
“We’re going directly to them to learn
their needs,” she continues, “and we’re
creating custom programming for them.”
The common characteristic of all Ready resources are ELC legacy mem-
bers, the 25% of members who have left
these leaders, regardless of their corporate careers, many of them with-

entrepreneurial experience as well.
professional backgrounds, is they At the same time, The ELC is continu-
ing to leverage its collective voice for
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more business success, financial
growth and stability and community
wealth. “We know where we started,
what we did to arrive where we are,”
explains Spriggs, “but our purpose is capabilities of executives, educators, says Crystal E. Ashby, The ELC Board’s
to leverage the depth and breadth of entrepreneurs, policy makers, govern- vice chair. “We still go home at night,
our members’ expertise. Our leader- ment officials, thought leaders—for we go to church, our kids play on
ship initiatives and programs speak to sustainable, enduring common good,” sports teams, we see our neighbors
the depth. Now we are speaking to the says Orlando Ashford, a former chair at the grocery store. We may not live
potential breadth.” of The ELC Board and president of Hol- where we grew up, but we still have
“The ELC lives in and comes from the land America Line. family there. We want to reach beyond
corporate world, so we’re in the right “The ELC is evolving with the busi- the places where we play large to oth-
position to intersect and integrate all ness community,” says Leatherberry, “so ers in our community.”
the different levers—the insights and we can continue serving it.” Including

TIAA: A Financial Services

Giant That Works For You

With more than $40 billion in annual revenue and almost $1 about the experience, and
trillion in assets under management, TIAA is not only among 7,$$ EHQHŻWV IURP EHWWHU
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is also consistently ranked among the top employers for Sponsoring events to
promoting a culture of diversity and inclusion. showcase black leaders
One of its greatest assets, in that pursuit, is its Business and achievements,
Resource Group model, which fosters leadership Empowered has ensured
development opportunities and cultural awareness that celebrating diversity is
company-wide. “Our job is to align with TIAA’s business a company-wide initiative.
through building a shared sense of community,” says Alexander remembers one
Ernest Alexander, TIAA’s director of operations and the event in particular that the
ERNEST ALEXANDER
national co-chair of Empowered, its African American and entire staff rallied behind: TIAA Managing Director and
Caribbean professionals resource group. “When Ken Chenault,” the National Co-Chair, Empowered
“This year we piloted a powerful new recruitment event,” former CEO and chairman
says Alexander. “We brought close to 150 HBCU [historically of American Express, “spoke about his career in our New
black colleges and universities] students for two days at our York headquarters, we broadcast it across all our locations,
campus in Charlotte to learn more about TIAA and meet and it was standing room only!”
some of our people—including our CEO Roger Ferguson. “TIAA has a deep commitment to attracting, retaining
It was so successful, we’re going to repeat it in other parts and developing employees from diverse backgrounds,”
of the country.” adds Glenn Richter, senior executive vice president, chief
Empowered also provides resources to help employee ŻQDQFLDO RIŻFHU DQG H[HFXWLYH VSRQVRU IRU WKH (PSRZHUHG
members advance within the company. “In our mentoring BRG at TIAA. “We understand that our ability to create a
program, we match senior employees with newer ones,” diverse and inclusive culture for employees enhances our
says Alexander. “Mentors and mentees are both enthusiastic ability to understand and serve our customers.”

20 | DIVERSITY