Prudential Financial: No. 8 in the DiversityInc Top 50

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Company Information

U.S. Headquarters: Newark, N.J.
Global Employees: 50,100
U.S. Employees: 19,115
Last Year’s DiversityInc Top 50 Ranking: 9
Why It’s on the List

Earning a spot in the top 10 for the second year in a row, Prudential continues to demonstrate strong community involvement as well as significant progress in creating an inclusive workplace.

In this company, it definitely starts with the senior leadership. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Strangfeld signs off on diversity metrics and executive compensation linked to D&I goals, is a visible proponent of D&I, and meets quarterly with resource groups. Almost all of his direct reports are executive sponsors of resource groups. He also chairs the executive diversity council.

He has been a strong proponent of support for veterans, and with his wife, Mary, created and sponsors an MBA program at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia for military officers seeking to transition to civilian life.

Prudential also has a very diverse board of directors: Of the 13-member board, there are three women, two Blacks, one Latino and one Asian.

The company has been increasing its talent-development initiatives under Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Michele C. Meyer-Shipp. The mentoring program has measurable goals and cultural-competence training for mentors. Executives in the top three levels of the company serve as mentors.

Prudential has 12 resource groups, which are available to all employees. They are used for recruiting, on-boarding, talent development and marketplace outreach. They also help with diversity-training initiatives. For example, the LGBT group worked on “Fostering an Environment of Inclusion: Sexual Orientation” training.

Groups receive a twice-yearly review and are measured on success in four areas: professional development, business integration, community outreach, and diversity awareness and education. Each group submits a report and individual leaders are assessed by their contributions to the group.
Other DiversityInc Lists
  • No. 8 The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for People With Disabilities
Diversity Leadership
John R. Strangfeld
Chairman and CEO

“We are fully committed to embracing diversity and inclusion in every aspect of our operations. We recognize that diversity and inclusion are inextricably linked to our ability to achieve our goals, both our aspirations to be an employer of choice and to lead in the markets in which we operate.”
Michele C. Meyer-Shipp
Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer

“At Prudential, diversity and inclusion are critical components of our company’s core values and play an integral role in our strategic vision. It is woven into the fabric of both our talent initiatives and business practices, fuels our community programs, and enhances our ability to engage with an increasingly diverse client base.”
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