Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
Empowered by Difference
We believe doing the right thing means understanding, supporting and leveraging the unique differences and collective similarities that make each of us valuable.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
Accolades and honors
Human Rights Campaign
2022 Corporate Equality Index
Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality1
DCIIA, Diversity & Inclusion Award nominee 2
Associates Julie Ross and Kevin Kolter recognized as the 2022 Leader and Rising Star nominees.
2020 InvestmentNews Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion3
Recognized among 'Best places to work for Disability Inclusion'4
Societal advocacy and community support
Empower is a member of this coalition that supports the Equality Act, federal legislation that would provide the same basic protections to LGBTQ people as are provided to other protected groups.6
Our CEO pledged a commitment to advance our diversity and inclusion initiatives.7
Welcome One and All
Empower strives to be as diverse as the customers we serve. When clients see their communities reflected in our associates, we achieve better outcomes together.
Be Yourself
We want your talents and everything else you bring to the table: race, ethnicity, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, ability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, religion and citizenship status.
How we’re taking action
- We offer inclusive benefits to same-sex partners, paternity and maternity benefits and transgender transition benefits.
- Through partnerships with groups like the Latino Leadership, Disability:IN, Human Rights Campaign Institute and We Inspire Promote Network, we’re expanding our pool of candidates.
- We’re mentoring students at college campuses to help them build their resumes and professional networks.
Be Heard
A more equitable workforce delivers more diverse ideas. Which in turn leads to enhanced problem solving, active engagement and ultimately better solutions for those who depend on our services.
How we’re taking action
- Our Business Resource Groups rally around common interests, experiences and identities.
- Today, more than 20% of our associates belong to at least one Business Resource Group.8
Be Valued
We’re creating a more balanced workplace by helping all employees feel welcomed, engaged, represented and valued. We have work to do, but we’re better today than we were yesterday and we’ll be even better tomorrow.
How we’re taking action
- 97% of our associates have taken steps to address their unconscious bias.9
- Our Diversity & Inclusion Council monitors and communicates progress about our initiatives and also advises on future efforts.
Be Represented
We’re working to be more reflective and committed to our communities and the customers that we serve. To make that happen, we aspire to match our community demographics instead of adhering to industry standards.
How we’re taking action
- In 2021, our associates volunteered 9,406 hours.10
- In 2021, we donated $2.14 million to nonprofits.9
- We partner with local colleges and offer internship opportunities.
Our Business Resource Groups
We call them business resource groups because they actually guide our business
Where we stand right now
Representation by ethnicity11
White 68.2% | Latino 8.1% | Black 7.9% | Asian 6.1% |Two or More races 2.3% | Native American/Alaska Native 0.3% | Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 0.3%
Representation by gender11
Men 49.6% | Women 50.3%
Join our team and help us lead the effort
1 Human Rights Campaign 2022 Corporate Equality Index.
2 Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association, https://dciia.org/, 2021.
3 https://www.dandiin.com/, October 21, 2020.
4 https://disabilityin.org, July 2020.
5 www.inclusiveeconomy.us
6 www.hrc.org/resources/business-coalition-for-equality
7 https://www.ceoaction.com/
8 As of March 31, 2022.
9 As of March 30, 2020.
10 http://www.empowercommunityimpact.com, 2021.
11 As of September 30, 2022.
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