PBN Diversity Equity & Inclusion 2024 Awards
FINANCIAL SERVICES: Webster Bank N.A.
BEING COMMITTED to all aspects of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging at Webster Bank N.A. starts at the top, according to Chief Diversity Officer Teshia Levy-Grant.
Levy-Grant says that John R. Ciulla, CEO and president of the Connecticut-based financial institution with various Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts locations, along with its executive management committee and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Council, provides and shapes the direction of Webster Bank’s DEIB program.
The council serves as a platform allowing senior leaders and representatives of its various business resource groups to discuss the strategy and actions of the bank’s DEIB efforts. The council makes recommendations on ways to integrate DEIB in the areas of education and awareness, talent development, employee engagement, and client and community service.
“Webster is a forward-looking, contemporary company with a dynamic culture that embraces diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging,” said Javier Evans, chief human resources officer. “Meeting the increasingly diverse needs of our clients is a key to our long-term success, and having a workforce with diverse backgrounds and experiences better helps our clients and the communities we serve achieve their financial goals.”
Evans says that being a part of Webster Bank allows him and his colleagues to bring their true authentic selves to work every day.
“I’m proud to be a part of an inclusive working environment where our colleagues’ thoughts, contributions and community involvement make a difference,” he said. “Whether in person or virtually, you can feel the sense of purpose in each person driving to make Webster Bank a better place to work.”
The company’s overall strategy focuses on what it calls the three C’s: colleagues, clients and community. Levy-Grant says the goal of those “three C’s” is to ensure that the bank’s DEIB strategy is fully integrated companywide and actualized by its eight business resource groups.
The groups recognize and explore Webster Bank’s individuality in environments that foster professional growth. The African and Caribbean Heritage Connection, Military Veterans Community Network, Webster PRIDE, Allies for Disabilities and Accessibility, and Webster Women’s Network are among the groups hosted by the company.
The main aspect of the three C’s, Levy-Grant says, is to attract, develop and retain colleagues in all areas and levels in the bank. She also points out that from a client perspective, the company’s goal is to reach out and build stronger relationships and partnerships with its clients, with a separate focus on supply and diversity.
The company says supplier diversity is a business strategy that focuses on removing barriers and enabling access for diverse businesses to compete for contracts. Additionally, Webster Bank’s supplier diversity program integrates diversity and inclusion into the procurement process by implementing policy, practices and procedures that ensure equal opportunity.
Webster Bank is committed to ensuring diverse suppliers have the opportunity to compete for contracts in a fair and equitable environment, it understands the value of a diverse supply chain and it welcomes all suppliers that have the capabilities to provide its business with goods and services.
The bank aims to create opportunities for increased revenue, profit and growth for diverse and small businesses in the communities that it serves.
“We partner with our office of corporate responsibility to create economic vitality in the communities that we live in and serve through community investment, including lending, philanthropy, volunteerism and supplier diversity,” Levy-Grant said.
Based on mutual respect and acceptance, the business resource groups at Webster Bank recognize and explore individuality in an environment that fosters personal and professional growth. Through a robust slate of activities and events, the idea is to celebrate the rich cultures and lifestyles that make up the company’s workforce.
Webster Bank’s corporate responsibility office manages all community-facing activities across the company, including supplier diversity; Community Reinvestment Act and fair and responsible banking matters; engagement and philanthropy; government relations and public affairs; and environmental, social and governance efforts.
