Describing its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as unwavering, MassMutual Financial Advisors said it strives to set a positive example for clients, advisers and communities through enterprise-wide initiatives supporting underserved populations. Some of these include its Black & African American Strategy Initiative that focuses on education, economic empowerment, enterprise opportunity and equitable justice; its Asian American & Pacific Islander community support campaign to provide greater access to financial services; and a SpecialCare planner program to help support individuals with special needs and their caregivers. “By embracing inclusion and celebrating diversity, we build one another up and help make our world a better place for future generations — one where together, we are stronger. MassMutual and financial professionals affiliated with the company are committed to helping us all get there,” said Michelle Pedigo, head of field management for the south region.
In the area of adviser recruiting and retention, MassMutual’s multicultural adviser population has more than quadrupled over the past decade, with a 20% growth in female advisers — now a quarter of the company’s field force. To understand the unique needs of its diverse customers, MMFA has commissioned several independent research studies over the past decade, touching on issues involving the LGBTQ community, women, the family, multicultural business owners, and college planning and savings from a multicultural perspective. MMFA also soon will launch a podcast series with the Washington Post focusing on women and finances, and will honor the 100th anniversary of Black Wall Street by launching a virtual storefront of 100 Black-owned businesses in the New York Times.
Contact: Lorie Valle-Yanez, head of DEI, at lvalle-yanez@massmutual.com.
— Evan Cooper