Northwestern Mutual Sustainability and Social Impact: Strengthening Our Culture of Belonging

We invest in our people and our culture to enable everyone's success.

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 7, 2024 / Originally published in Northwestern Mutual 2023 Sustainability and Social Impact Report

Our culture is a unique driver of Northwestern Mutual's long-term success. Ensuring a diverse and inclusive environment is a growth strategy critical to relevance, competitiveness and long-term policyowner value. In fact, research over the last decade shows that companies with a diversity of talent are more likely to outperform industry peers and drive higher rates of profitability¹. That's why in 2012 we laid out a 15-year diversity and inclusion roadmap specifying priorities, behaviors and initiatives to be woven throughout our operations.

We're committed to ensuring our corporate offices and network of field offices across the country are places where each member of our workforce can contribute creative ideas, seek challenges, assume leadership and be valued contributors to the company's and their own success. We act on this commitment every day-creating community through inclusion, building a diverse talent pipeline, and empowering our people to develop their full potential.

CREATING COMMUNITY THROUGH INCLUSION

Researchers find that hiring a diversity of talent is a strong starting point- but it's the workplace experience that shapes whether people remain and thrive². Creating a community of inclusion and respect gives Northwestern Mutual the foundation to better understand and serve clients, deliver longterm value and drive financial leadership. In our corporate and field offices we work to promote an inclusive workplace that's more engaging and impactful, powering a better future for everyone.

Connecting employees, gathering insights

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are voluntary employee-led groups formed to connect traditionally underrepresented team members and allies who share ethnicity, gender, nationality, identity, sexual orientation, generation or military or veteran status. Sponsored by members of the executive and senior leadership teams, ERGs and their allies advance the company's business goals by helping us attract, develop, retain and advance a diverse workforce. Our nationally award-winning ERGs collectively have more than 3,000 members enterprise-wide. They include: