U.S. Bank has been named one of the 2021 Best Companies for Multicultural Women by Seramount (formerly Working Mother Media) – the fourth consecutive year that we’ve received this recognition. The companies on this list create and use best practices in hiring, retaining and promoting multicultural women in the United States.
“Making the 2021 Best Companies for Multicultural Women list once again is a testament to the work all of us are doing to build an inclusive culture, and the work we’re doing across the company to advance more women into leadership roles,” said Emily Koski, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy lead.
We asked women around the company to share their experiences and reflect on what earns us this accolade year after year.
“Our organization provides great development programs, encourages collaboration, work-life balance and you will make life-long friendships,” said Greta Brotherton, corporate relationship manager in Atlanta. “Recently, I had the opportunity to be a panelist speaker at our New York Women’s BRG ‘Not Now’ series to talk about life during COVID-19. It was so therapeutic to share my experiences with colleagues and leadership throughout the bank. I felt heard, supported and valued.”
Liz Karem, project analyst, echoes that sentiment. “One of the things I love most about working for U.S. Bank is the amazing community of support I have found through our Business Resource Groups,” she said. “By being involved in the many available BRGs over the years, I have met a variety of amazing and inspiring people that I likely wouldn’t have otherwise had any need to meet. Our engaged BRGs bring people together – across gender, ethnicity, business line or any other ‘boundaries’ that typically separate us. These connections have been beneficial for me not only professionally, but I’ve also made a number of friendships I treasure. I appreciate that I can work in an organization as large as U.S. Bank, but still have the opportunity to create genuine connections with people across the footprint.”
“Working at U.S. Bank lets you be your authentic self, gives you the confidence to put your hand up for that new opportunity,” says Akita Somani, chief of staff and head of change, Elavon Merchant Services, Europe. “Even if it seems a bit out of your comfort zone, you can easily reach out to leaders who inspire you: they will always spare the time for a conversation and give you some great insights and guidance. Most of all, each individual and their perspective is valued and respected.”
While we continue to strengthen our inclusive culture, there is more work to be done. Some of our most recent developments include expanding inclusive leadership training to nearly all managers of people at the company, requiring that all open positions include at least one woman and/or person of color in the hiring slate, and holding our Managing Committee, including our CEO, accountable for DEI goals in their performance evaluations.
More about the accolade
Seramount has been tracking corporations’ progress in creating cultures that encourage multicultural women to join and rise through the ranks since 2003. They compile the list of U.S. companies based on criteria such as: representation; hiring, attrition and promotion rates; recruitment, retention and advancement programs; and company culture.
