Inclusion, Diversity & Equity
Inclusion, diversity and equity are integral to who we are as a company and are at the core of how we serve the financial needs of those who serve others. For us, treating everyone with respect and dignity is not just a nice to have. It’s a must.
Our team of associates provides a strategic advantage by bringing together unique skills, backgrounds and perspectives that allow us to navigate and thrive in complex environments.
Our guiding principles for our Inclusion, Diversity & Equity (ID&E) strategy focus on the three B's: Belonging, Bold Leadership and Business Impact.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a critical component to advancing our ID&E strategy. Together, CSR and ID&E participate in efforts addressing systemic issues to promote equity for under-served populations. We emphasize equity in all community outreach practices to ensure an inclusive approach to making a difference.
A Culture of Diversity
Connected through our differences
By building a culture that allows all associates to contribute their unique talents and skills, we're able to provide our clients with fresh ideas and distinct perspectives to help them achieve their goals.
“TIAA has made diversity, equity and inclusion a cornerstone of its culture. Now, more than ever, companies need to create cultures where employees can bring their true, authentic selves to work and be supported by their peers and mentors. Fostering a diverse and inclusive environment is not only the right thing to do but also what’s best for the long-term health of our business.”
--Thasunda Brown Duckett, President and CEO of TIAA
inclusion
Business Resource Groups
At TIAA, we have a rich community of nine Business Resource Groups - affinity groups that partner to enhance our ID&E strategy by providing leadership development, networking opportunities, community outreach and philanthropic efforts, business solutions and product input, and multicultural awareness for our associates.
Our Business Resource Groups are one of our largest and most important inclusion programs, with over a third of the company participating. Our BRGs focus their efforts on the following underrepresented communities, as well as their allies:
Achieve
Female associates and allies
Alliance
LGBTQ+ associates and allies
Diverse Abilities
Associates with disabilities, caregivers, and allies
Empowered
Black associates and allies
Engage
Asian associates and allies
Our Corps
Active military, veterans, family members, and allies
SoPro
Seasoned, experienced associates and allies
Unite
Latino and Hispanic associates and allies
YoPro
Associates young in career or new in role and allies
All of our associates are encouraged to participate in the BRGs, as people who identify with the target demographic, or as allies - which helps to strengthen the ties of our TIAA community.
Our BRGs are not just about networking. Their efforts help make TIAA a better place to work, including:
- Empowered's critical partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities in our annual Early Career Insights Summit.
- Alliance, Diverse Abilities, and Our Corps partnership with our Brand and Marketing departments to enhance the diversity of our marketing material images.
- Our Corps and SoPro led ‘Leadership in Times of Crisis’ learning event in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
Inclusion Programs
Inclusion programs are a critical aspect of our ID&E strategy, enabling our company to not only build diverse representation, but importantly to create an environment where all of our associates can belong and thrive. Our Inclusion Programs include:
- Educational events focused on building multicultural awareness, teaching inclusive practices, and engaging associates in challenging conversations.
- Rewards & recognition of outstanding inclusion role models through the company, including our annual Working Parents of the Year awards and our Inclusive Leaders of the Year Awards
- People process and procedure enhancements that drive equity and conscious inclusion throughout the associate experience.
Influencing Inclusion and Equity in Communities
We believe we can use our platform as a global financial services firm to really move the needle on social justice and we have partnered with several coalitions to make long-lasting sustainable change. We are members of the following diversity coalitions:
Corporate Call for Action--Coalition for Equity and Opportunity, a working group of 18 large financial services institutions that aim to strike at the root causes and effects of systemic racism through four new commitments to improve economic and racial equity in the financial services industry and the economy at large.
CEO Action for Racial Equity, which is focused on improving the lives of the 47+ million Black Americans through advocacy and advancement of public policies that will root out and end systemic racism. A TIAA associate is currently on assignment as a fellow working to bridge the digital divide through public policy aiming to improve accessibility, affordability and digital skills that touch social economics, infrastructure and technology.
Paradigm for Parity is committed to achieving a new norm in corporate leadership: one in which women and men have equal power, status and opportunity. The coalition has created the Paradigm for Parity 5-Point Action Plan for corporations to accelerate the pace of gender equity in senior executive roles, with a unique agenda that defines bold and specific actions to catalyze change.
We also intentionally drive equity in businesses through supplier diversity partnerships with the Carolinas LGBT Chamber of Commerce, US Black Chambers of Commerce, the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council and the Minority Supplier Development UK, among others
Be the Change
Be the Change was introduced in June 2020. This initiative was designed to combat systemic racism through programs, educational resources and communications focused on supporting our associates while also challenging our company to take action. BTC activities are grounded in 4 pillars to create change through:
Understanding: Broadening & awareness-building about proactive advocacy & anti-racism
Dialogue: Engagement and bridge-building with colleagues, clients and our community
Leadership: Intentional allyship & cultivation of strong diverse, inclusive teams
Action: The impact of inclusion and equity strides in our workplace, communities and industry
Dialogue: Engagement and bridge-building with colleagues, clients and our community
Leadership: Intentional allyship & cultivation of strong diverse, inclusive teams
Action: The impact of inclusion and equity strides in our workplace, communities and industry
TIAA proudly hosted the annual Race Against Racism. Through reflection and engagement across our workforce globally, we sparked an individualized and enterprise call to action through wellness, dialogue and leadership on racial justice. We broadly reaffirmed our commitment to Be The Change. Associates had the opportunity to socially distance outdoors or virtually participate in a physical activity of their choice with their peers, families, and friends in honor of a call or moment for anti-racism and shared how they will personally commit to being the change.
Quick facts
TIAA diversity mix
TIAA sees the value of a diverse board to shape inclusive policies and operations for the many groups TIAA serves.
Minorities represent 28% of TIAA and CREF trustees and overseers and women represent 39%.
Minorities represent 28% of TIAA and CREF trustees and overseers and women represent 39%.
Quick facts
Suppliers
TIAA works with more than 100 diverse suppliers. 10.9% of our spend is with
diverse companies.
diverse companies.
supplier diversity
Supplier Diversity Program
We launched our Supplier Diversity Program in 1992 to build supplier relationships with minority- and women-owned business enterprises. Since 2011, TIAA has been designated as “best in class” among our peers for supplier diversity.
Careers
Is TIAA the place for you?
We’re always searching for new talent to build a more diverse team. We’re looking for your unique perspective to help us:
- Create a more inclusive workforce
- Meet the needs of our clients
- Drive innovative thinking
- Compete in a challenging market
awards & recognition
Workplace diversity
TIAA has been publicly recognized for our commitment to diversity and inclusion throughout our history.
2013-2020
2011-2020
2018-2021
2012, 2015-2020
2007-2019
2010-2019
2016-2020
2021
2021
2010-2021
2021
2020
2021
2021
2020-2021
Nondiscrimination and equal opportunity employment
TIAA is committed to providing equal employment opportunity as to all employment practices, including recruitment, selection, training/development, promotion, transfer, disciplinary action and compensation, without regard to race, creed, ethnicity, color, age, religion, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy (including childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions where applicable), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, marital status, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, requesting a reasonable accommodation based on mental or physical disability, medical condition (as defined by applicable law), genetic history and information, citizenship status, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance or regulation.
