Judy Greenwald
Several property/casualty insurers and brokers have pledged their commitment to diversity in statements submitted to a coalition, the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion.
Companies participating in the coalition, which was formed in 2017 and describes itself as the “largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace,” have submitted “action” comments within the past week or so, according to a spokeswoman.
They include Newport Beach, California-based Alliant Insurance Services Inc.; New York-based American International Group Inc.; Paris-based Axa SA; Chicago-based CNA Financial Corp.; Rolling Meadows, Illinois-based Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.; Boston-based Liberty Mutual Insurance Group; New York-based Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc.; and the San Antonio, Texas-based United Services Automobile Association.
A statement from New York-based Marsh & McLennan president and CEO Dan Glaser asks, “How many tragic deaths will it take for change to come?”
It states Marsh & McLennan “rejects racism, bigotry and discrimination in all their forms. In our offices and in our work, we serve the fundamental principles of human dignity, equality, community and mutual respect. Events that run counter to these principles only strengthen our commitment to them.”
AIG’s statement discusses its Executive Men’s Development Initiative, a 12-month executive development program in which “high potential men of color” from across the country participate.
CEO Brian Duperreault says in a statement that “operational and functional managers can launch diversity programs but without full-throated support and aggressive action by senior executives diversity and inclusion tends to stall.”
Separately, Chubb Ltd. chairman and CEO Evan Greenberg said in a tweet Wednesday that “We all have an obligation to find our voice and raise it when we see social injustice.”
In addition, Philadelphia-based Protecdiv Inc., a majority black-owned and operated broker, issued a statement in which it said “our position as diverse executives running an insurance entity allows us a somewhat unique perspective on current events.”
It states, “Without caveat or hesitation, we condemn over-aggressive policing, policy brutality and the killing by police of the unarmed. Our condemnation is not enough. We must do more. Let’s use our industry’s inherent skills to make broad positive change.”
The statement recommends empathy, creativity and long-term planning to address the issue.