PBN Diversity Equity & Inclusion 2024 Awards
NOT-FOR-PROFIT: AAA Northeast
KAREN DIEHL FEELS that AAA Northeast is more than just a business. It’s also a vibrant community, she says.
Diehl, the Providence-based not-for-profit automotive and travel club’s senior employee experience specialist, says AAA Northeast’s team comes to work with a strong desire to make a difference in the community. She says AAA Northeast employees support each other and its members, and are actively engaged with the community through its giving program, among other initiatives.
“I am part of an organization that embodies its values beyond just words in a handbook,” Diehl said. “Our employees live these values every day, and I am proud to be an integral part of that culture.”
AAA Northeast increases opportunities, addresses issues and finds solutions to diversity and inclusion not only internally but also out in the community due in part to its employee charitable giving teams. Such teams include a DEI-focused charitable giving team, which is a cross-functional group comprising members from various levels, locations and regions, each bringing their own diverse viewpoints on race, gender, culture and sexual orientation.
The DEI charitable giving team at AAA Northeast focuses on supporting underserved and minority groups and directs charitable giving dollars toward various causes. Among the supported causes are youth empowerment and education, adult literacy and self-improvement, advocacy for policy change and social justice, economic empowerment and enrichment, and organizations that support advancing and empowering minority groups.
Diehl says that as these teams partner with local organizations, AAA Northeast gains deeper understandings of the community’s needs. The organization engages with local representatives in meaningful conversations to identify and address critical issues, she says.
“We also encourage our employees to volunteer, support these initiatives and immerse themselves in diverse cultures,” Diehl said. “This not only helps in addressing immediate needs but also fosters a sense of unity and cultural appreciation at AAA.”
The AAA Northeast Career Exploration Program provides entry-level employees knowledge about different business lines and roles, along with skill development for career mobility, such as interviewing, resume writing and personal branding. Through a 30-hour, four-phase program, employees learn to better understand career opportunities, build a strong personal brand, and connect with peers and hiring managers.
Additionally, AAA Northeast presents a speaker series featuring experts on topics such as intersectionality, the transgender community, mental health, well-being and ableism. The series deepens knowledge, broadens perspectives, and promotes cultural curiosity and humility to help employees better understand DEI issues.
“We are passionate about DEI and want to be change agents,” said Ron Arigo, AAA Northeast’s senior vice president and chief human resources officer. “Overseeing our DEI initiatives allows me to make a significant impact on workplace culture and the lives of colleagues. These efforts drive innovation and creativity within the organization, inspiring others to get involved.”
Arigo says the organization’s benefit programs are continuously evaluated to promote equity and inclusion, including offering transgender-inclusive health care that covers elective gender transition services. Along with covering fertility services and providing support to all relationship types, AAA Northeast offers medical coverage for life partners and same-sex spouses, as well as adoption assistance.
AAA Northeast adopted Juneteenth as an additional paid-employee holiday and redesignated existing floating holidays as “celebrating you” days, which enable employees to observe their preferred religious or cultural days outside of traditional paid holidays. The organization’s human resources information systems have also been updated to allow for self-identification of demographic information and the addition of pronouns.
Arigo says AAA Northeast cherishes its diverse workforce because it enriches the organization with a wide range of capabilities and perspectives. Equity for the organization is not just about fairness, he says, but rather it’s about implementing processes that guarantee equal access to information and opportunities for everyone.
“We are committed to creating a level playing field where every employee has the chance to succeed. Promoting inclusion is at the heart of our culture,” Arigo said. “We strive to create a welcoming environment where every employee feels involved, empowered, valued and, most importantly, has a true sense of belonging.”
