D&I INITIATIVES
25 ways to make a difference
The risk transfer industry has launched many D&I-related initiatives in recent years. Here, we summarise 25 such schemes that stand out from the crowd.
TOP 25 D&I INITIATIVES: 1–5
1. Global Inclusive Leadership Council: Aon
In 2020, Aon formed the Global Inclusive Leadership Council, which brought together 21 colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
The council is steered by executive co-sponsors Greg Case, chief executive officer, and Lisa Stevens, chief people officer of Aon. The council provides advice, recommendations and accountability for Aon’s diversity and inclusion (D&I) strategy and related activities.
Aon said the council aims to ensure that the firm is taking the necessary action to ensure that its processes, policies, procedures and people foster and enable equitable opportunities, access and advancement to all colleagues.
The Global Inclusive Leadership Council recommends actions to be taken by the firm to make Aon a truly inclusive organisation. Underpinned by clear communication and accountability measures, the council’s work focuses on four main areas: education, representation, recruitment, and promotion.
“The council provides advice, recommendations and accountability.”
2. EDDGE: Allianz Life Insurance of North America
Allianz Life’s Empowering Diversity in Distribution through Growth and Education (EDDGE) group is dedicated to empowering and inspiring Allianz employees while driving D&I.
Through EDDGE, the firm’s goal is to attract qualified candidates and offer pathways for growth, advancement, and inclusive innovation.
In 2019, the EDDGE team was tasked with making D&I a core part of the culture at Allianz, which includes the sales and strategic programme unit of the company. The team promotes awareness around diversity within the businesses through initiatives that include a mentorship pilot programme, networking events, “coffee talks” with leadership, and with a biannual newsletter that highlights D&I at the firm.
“The team promotes awareness around diversity within the businesses.”
3. Allianz Beyond: The Allianz Group
Allianz Beyond is a global network that advocates for disability inclusion at the Allianz Group and facilitates a work environment it describes as “free of physical, social or technological barriers” where employees with disabilities can succeed.
This is achieved by placing focus on what people can do and engaging with allies to the cause, to help remove stigmas and taboos through education.
Allianz is a member of The Valuable 500, an organisation that aims to put disability on the business leadership agenda. To underline its commitment, the company has set up Allianz Beyond, its global employee network for disability inclusion.
“Allianz Beyond is a global network that advocates for disability inclusion.”
4. Chubb Start: Chubb
Chubb Start is a series of accelerator programmes around the world that are designed for women at all stages of their career. The Chubb Start programme aims to make the organisation a more equitable workforce and to address historical challenges faced by women while creating new opportunities that will ensure women colleagues can perform to the best of their ability.
Chubb’s approach to culture is based on the understanding that when individuals feel a sense of belonging, they are free to perform at their best.
“The Chubb Start programme aims to make the organisation a more equitable workforce.”
5. EXCELERATE: MetLife
EXCELERATE is a talent sponsorship programme at MetLife driven by senior leaders to help accelerate the leadership, development and progression of high-performing women and ethnically and racially diverse talent at the assistant vice president to officer level.
MetLife has been recognised for its inclusive practices in the areas of talent advancement among historically underrepresented groups, leadership accountability, and demographic diversity for women and racial/ethnic minorities.
In addition, MetLife was the first US-based life insurer to sign the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles, a partnership that has informed cross-market, time-bound action plans aimed at closing identified gaps across the areas of leadership, workplace, marketplace, and community.
“MetLife has been recognised for its inclusive practices.”
Main image: Shutterstock.com / Mikhaylovskiy
