SIFMA today awarded BNP Paribas, Robert W. Baird & Co., Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, Bank of America, Citi and Credit Suisse with its annual Diversity Leadership Awards.
Awards in the following three categories were given out at SIFMA's Annual Meeting in New York City:
- Emerging Leadership: BNP Paribas accepted by Rachel Akohonae and Robert W. Baird & Co. accepted by Laura Gough and Kelly Sneed.
- Sustained Leadership Award: Goldman Sachs accepted by Aynesh Johnson.
- Innovative Leadership Award: A team effort led by Deutsche Bank including Bank of America, Citi, Credit Suisse, and Goldman Sachs accepted by Frank Fehrenbach, Ellen Gardner, and John Eydenberg of Deutsche Bank, Chris Perkins of Citi, Lewis Runnion of Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Jennifer Kaplan of Credit Suisse, and Owen West of Goldman Sachs.
“As an industry we must meet the challenges and maximize the opportunities of an increasingly diverse employment pool and customer base across the globe," said Tim Ryan, president and CEO of SIFMA. “This year’s recipients have shown a sustained commitment to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.”
Emerging Leadership: BNP Paribas and Robert W. Baird & Co.
In just a few years, BNP Paribas has built a full, robust diversity initiative with a budget, dedicated staff, Employee Resource Groups, and, importantly, visibility, and impact. The company found that it is never too late to make an impact, regardless of the size of its U.S. operations. BNP Paribas strives to promote and maintain a diverse, inclusive, and stimulating work environment where employees are treated with dignity and respect, valued for their differences in thoughts, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, and developed and empowered to succeed.
The Women Associate Resource Group, or ARG, at Robert W. Baird & Co. is a group of Baird associates with the goal of making Baird the employer of choice for women in the financial services industry. Through professional development programming, networking, and mentoring opportunities and best practice sharing, the Women ARG aims to create and support a competitive work environment that will attract and retain women in all levels of the organization.
Sustained Leadership Award: Goldman Sachs
In 2010, Goldman Sachs launched Americas Diversity Week, or ADW, to emphasize diversity as core to the firm’s culture and demonstrate its commitment to cultivating and sustaining an inclusive work environment. ADW consists of seven days of diversity programming featuring speakers, panels, arts and film events throughout every Goldman Sachs office in the Americas. In celebrating the diverse backgrounds and perspectives within the firm through this multi-faceted program, ADW stimulates dialogue and generates discussion about how every individual at the firm can promote diversity. ADW is an opportunity to recognize, reassert, and underscore the important role of diversity by educating and inspiring people while advancing the firm’s diversity strategy. The program was a signature initiative of the Americas Diversity Committee, and it built on the successes of Asia, India and Europe Diversity Week initiatives.
Innovative Leadership: Team effort by Deutsche Bank, Bank of America, Citi, Credit Suisse, and Goldman Sachs
Veterans on Wall Street, or VOWS, is a collaborative effort of the five banks, led by Deutsche Bank, to raise awareness of the value of veterans in the workforce and provide support and employment for returning veterans and their families. The VOWS Conference was intended to raise the profile of veterans on Wall Street and beyond and highlight the financial services industry as a veteran-friendly employer. The conference was attended by more than 1,200 veterans, and it included a career fair, breakout sessions for industry-wide sharing of best practices, information sessions for recent military veterans, and a fundraising gala event.
Award Categories:
Emerging Leadership – Consideration is given to firms implementing diversity initiatives and efforts.
Sustained Leadership – Consideration is given to firms demonstrating continued commitment and advancement of diversity strategies and efforts.
Innovative Leadership – Consideration is given to firms that develop or employ exceptionally unique and creative approaches to their diversity efforts.
