SIFMA today awarded Brown Brothers Harriman, Hilliard Lyons, Legg Mason, Edward Jones, and JPMorgan Chase with its annual Diversity Leadership Awards.
- Emerging Diversity Leadership: Brown Brothers Harriman - Possibility Thinking and Hilliard Lyons - Women’s Financial Consultant Roundtable.
- Innovative Diversity Leadership: Legg Mason - Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Council Board Leadership Program.
- Sustained Diversity Leadership: Edward Jones - Cross-Cultural Development Program.
- Team Diversity Leadership: JPMorgan Chase - Black Organization for Leadership Development.
“Supporting diversity in the workplace is critical for creating an innovative and productive work environment," said Tim Ryan, president and CEO of SIFMA. “As an industry, it’s our responsibility to promote diversity and inclusivity in the workplace and this year’s recipients are committed to driving this effort."
Emerging Diversity Leadership: Brown Brothers Harriman - Possibility Thinking and Hilliard Lyons - Women’s Financial Consultant Roundtable
In 2011 Brown Brothers Harriman launched the "Possibility Thinking" lecture series for firm leaders in order to broaden their viewpoint on the types of diversity—beyond race and gender—that can generate various perspectives, yielding the strongest ideas and innovative solutions. The series includes speakers who cover a broad range of topics including: unconscious bias, cultural differences, and generational experiences. Topics presented are explored further in workshops and discussion groups to foster dialogue that encourages open debate of ideas, new thinking, and an environment open to change.
Hilliard Lyons’ hosted its first Women’s Financial Consultant Roundtable as part of its inclusion strategy to engage, develop, retain, and recruit female financial consultants. The agenda for the two-day event, held at corporate headquarters in Louisville, KY, included advisor peer conversations focused on client and practice management; career insights and observations presented by our female senior executives; outside speakers; networking opportunities; and a cultural, lifestyle event distinctive to the Kentucky tradition of bourbon-making.
Innovative Diversity Leadership: Legg Mason - Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Council Board Leadership Program
Legg Mason’s Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Council Board Leadership Program was created in partnership with several community-based nonprofit organizations to give interested and community-focused employees the opportunity to serve on a diverse range of nonprofit boards in communities where they work and/or live. It also provides broad governance training, organization matching, group learning and sharing forums, and nonprofit board governance best practices literature and resources that further strengthen board service effectiveness.
Sustained Diversity Leadership: Edward Jones - Cross-Cultural Development Program
The Cross-Cultural Development Program is a special two-day program for diverse financial advisors that offers specialized training to help them implement practical business strategies to address nuances of bias, stereotypes or obstacles they might encounter. It also offers financial advisors a networking and mentoring opportunity that can provide extra support and increase their chances for success. The class is followed 30 and 60 days later by a group accountability webinar to see if participants have implemented action items from the class.
Team Diversity Leadership: JPMorgan Chase - Black Organization for Leadership Development
JPMorgan Chase (JPMC) continues to cultivate its commitment to diversity, and values diversity as a cornerstone of its global corporate culture which helps the firm meet the changing needs of its clients, customers and communities around the world. The firm continues to strengthen its diversity by, among other initiatives, Business Resource Groups (BRGs) which are sponsored by the firm's senior leaders. In 2011, JPMC repositioned its more than 165 active BRGs to better align employee activities with business goals, development of people and talent, and its global diversity strategy. The firm's Black Organization for Leadership Development (BOLD) is one such BRG, which integrates the advancement of employees' needs as well as the firm's. BOLD aims to provide employees, particularly those of African descent, with an empowering environment that helps to foster their professional and personal development and simultaneously support the firm's business goals and initiatives.
Awards in the following four categories will be given out at SIFMA's Annual Meeting in New York City on October 23rd.
Award Categories:
Emerging Diversity Leadership – Consideration is given to firms implementing diversity initiatives and efforts.
Innovative Diversity Leadership – Consideration is given to firms that develop or employ exceptionally unique and creative approaches to their diversity efforts.
Sustained Diversity Leadership – Consideration is given to firms demonstrating continued commitment and advancement of diversity strategies and efforts.
Team Diversity Leadership – Consideration is given to firms who work cohesively through different business lines to enhance their diversity efforts.