Diversity in the Workplace
Diversity plays a vital role in every level of our organization and we continue to explore new ways to provide valuable training and development opportunities to our workforce. Through mentoring programs, professional development, training, business resource groups, promotions, job transfers and other avenues, you’ll find great opportunities to interact and learn from your colleagues.
Executive Diversity Champions
Mary Schmoeger, Executive Vice President
In 2005, American Family Insurance formed an executive team to strengthen our diversity and inclusion initiatives. Known as the Executive Diversity Champions (EDC), the team is involved in all aspects of our diversity programs, including monitoring diversity results, setting expectations for company management and considering diversity as a factor in every business initiative.
The EDC team also provides visible support for diversity in hiring, supplier programs, talent development and other initiatives.
If you look at our markets and our customers, it’s obvious how diverse they are. We see a great variety of people of various ethnicities, incomes and cultural values. If we want to serve these customers well and maintain their trust in us, we need to welcome and promote various perspectives and approaches from within our organization.
Business Resource Groups
American Family supports the formation of employee networks as an ongoing resource for the company in meeting its business objectives. Our Business Resource Groups (BRGs) support the company's mission, vision, values and diversity strategy. They foster engagement, inclusion and development while offering the opportunity for networking and relationship building for its members. The Women's Business Resource Group and Multicultural Business Resource Group have more than 250 members and are inclusive communities of employees from all levels of the organization that:
- Provide an understanding of what our customers and employees want and need in light of changing demographic realities.
- Provide unique perspectives and input into company initiatives that impact growth, retention and customer satisfaction.
- Offer professional and personal development opportunities for its members.
- Promote diversity & inclusion and raise awareness in support of the company's strategic plan.
- Participate in community outreach activities.
"In my business resource group, I worked with people from many different departments and I worked with senior executives. It was interesting and educational and all of us felt we made a significant contribution."
Anu Sundram, Manager
"I oversee the BRGs and work every day with our BRG leaders and teams across our operating states. Everyone involved has a terrific attitude and is instrumental in helping us create a culture that encourages collaboration and raises awareness about the differences and similarities of our employees and customers which, in turn, enhances our work environment. Isn’t that what inclusion is all about?"