Nationwide: Working Together for a Better Tomorrow
By Angela Bretz, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Nationwide
As one of the world’s largest and most diverse insurance and financial services companies, Nationwide’s strength is our people. We have a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture where uniqueness is recognized, valued and there is equal access to opportunities and success.
From our founding, we have held a shared belief that we can do more together than we can alone. This legacy has shaped our unwavering commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and why we believe we must stand together and support one another to be a catalyst for change. We unequivocally denounce racism and discrimination in any form. We intentionally cultivate a workplace where our associates are respected and their voices are heard.
It is vital that we remain forward-thinking and continue to have a workforce reflective of America’s diversity, where associates thrive and innovation can flourish; enhancing the products and services to our customers and elevating our company’s success. When our associates, customers and communities see themselves reflected in all levels of our company, they see opportunities, a future and a place where they belong. This is why for six consecutive years; we have been a Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For.
How We Do It
Our values define who we are and how we do business, with our #1 value being, “we value people.” From the top of the house to the front line, we have a shared dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion.
- We have an integrated and intentional approach to the attraction, retention and development of talent
- We have robust associate resource groups and diversity councils who are empowered to move the business forward, give back to the community and develop professionally and personally.
- We believe that it’s our responsibility to support economic development and help small and diverse businesses thrive, with our strong supplier diversity program.
Nationwide has long-standing recruiting, advocacy and community partnerships with organizations like Black Enterprise, Catalyst, The Executive Leadership Council, National Black and Prospanica MBA associations, National Urban League, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Hispanic Scholarship Fund and many others. These strategic partnerships enable us to make a difference where we live and work.
Making an Impact
With the recent unprecedented events, we found ourselves well-positioned to lead and influence positive change in our workplace and communities.
“At Nationwide, we believe that racism in any shape or form is unacceptable and runs counter to our values. We are making it clear that we are committed to taking action to promote social equity and justice.”
– Kirt Walker, Nationwide CEO
Nationwide reasserted our decades-long commitment to social justice with additional multi-million dollar and multi-year investments with local and national organizations focused on criminal justice, economic empowerment, education and housing – all core issues at the heart of systemic racism. We are a proud partner of the National Fair Housing Alliance Keys Unlock Dreams initiative, aimed at addressing affordable housing and homeownership for more Black and Hispanics families.
We hosted Catalyst for Change sessions for our associates, which brought local and national civic leaders, including members of Congress, to Nationwide to educate and empower our associates to be conduits for positive change in our communities. We also created a Social Justice Task Force, made up of diverse thought leaders from across our company, to identify tangible ways we can further combat racism and promote social justice.
“As national protests have galvanized people across the country and beyond, our goal is to take action and to chart a path forward that will eliminate racism and discrimination in our country forever.”
– Gale V. King, Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer
Protecting What Matters Most
Whether we’re advocating for social justice or providing a workplace where our associates full potential is recognized, and where all voices are heard and valued, Nationwide remains committed to the betterment of our people, our company and our communities.