Headquarters:
New York, NY, USA
Year founded:
1991
Number of employees:
2,500+
Phone:
800 362 5448
Email:
nicole.guzzardi@us.qbe.com
Website:
qbe.com/us
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/qbe-north-america
“Early into our DEI journey, we found it challenging to integrate DEI into the entirety of the employee experience, from recruitment through to onboarding and eventually career development and progression,” says Seppi.
“By focusing our efforts on these four key pillars and building working groups and objectives around them, we have been able to take our initiatives beyond what we initially thought was possible and make meaningful change to the employee experience, all within a short period.”
Part of this work includes spotlighting cultural celebrations, encouraging courageous conversations between colleagues, promoting the inclusion of gender pronouns in email signatures, and creating platforms to allow members of marginalized communities to share their experiences in a supportive and empathetic environment. While most of these initiatives have put an internal lens on DEI, the committee has also organized others that focus on supporting underrepresented communities across Canada.
One such initiative is the Liberty Mutual Canada Insurance Scholarship for Equity Deserving Students, created in partnership with Humber College and Centennial College. This scholarship aims to remove some of the systemic barriers that prevent diverse talent from entering and advancing their careers in the Canadian insurance industry. Liberty also supports organizations that seek to increase equity in the country, such as Junior Achievement Central Ontario and Pride at Work Canada, and aims to assist small businesses run by equity-seeking groups.
“Our DEI journey has progressed so far in just a short time frame, and our recent hiring of a dedicated DEI resource will help us further ingrain DEI into our culture,” says Rob Marsh, president of Liberty Mutual Canada.
“We need to be thoughtful in our approach. We’re trying to build inclusive behaviours to mitigate implicit bias in our workforce. That way, we can not only make an impact at a systemic level internally that advances equity and respect, but also help create a more equitable workforce across the Canadian insurance industry.”
"One of the things we are most proud of in our DEI&B journey is creating opportunities for underrepresented students to learn about the insurance industry and gain educational scholarships and internships”
Michele Lamarre,
QBE North America
“I expect the DEI&B journey to continue its progress and the insurance industry to make greater strides in advancing its efforts in this area”
Michele Lamarre,
QBE North America
QBE North America is a global insurance leader focused on helping customers manage unique risks so they can focus on what matters most. The company offers a broad spectrum of specialty, commercial, program, personal and crop insurance capabilities.
At the heart of QBE’s business is its culture, which is built upon principles that describe who the company is, what it stands for, and how it operates to fulfill its purpose. QBE’s efforts in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEI&B) are woven around a culture that enables the company to nurture a more diverse environment of collaboration, recognition, equity, accessibility and inclusiveness.
QBE’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in activities that help its employees and communities to achieve their ambitions, making DEI&B rooted in the culture and not merely a singular initiative or program. The organization knows that better outcomes can be achieved when it is truly inclusive, when every employee brings unique knowledge, skills, perspectives and ideas into everything they do.
“One of the things we are most proud of in our DEI&B journey is creating opportunities for underrepresented students to learn about the insurance industry and gain educational scholarships and internships,” says Michele Lamarre, head of DEI&B at QBE North America.
The company’s culture priorities also include expanding its internal surveys to measure a sense of belonging and the psychological safety of employees, and continuing to place a lens on the business imperative of DEI&B.
QBE’s employees hold their leaders accountable for achieving a diverse talent mix and ensuring that all of them can participate in the company’s endeavors. The DEI&B journey is grounded in a holistic approach to enhancing the employee experience, engaging with their communities, and leveraging storytelling to drive sustainable change. QBE’s business resource groups foster a supportive environment that aligns with the organizational mission, values, and goals by delivering awareness, education, and brand building to develop a culture that the entire workforce can be proud of.
In their communities, the QBE Foundation partners with impactful not-for-profits around the world to support resilient and inclusive communities with greater access to opportunities and resources for excluded or marginalized groups. The Foundation aims to inform industry publications, develop and strengthen key partnerships, and make opportunities available for underrepresented groups through scholarships and internship programs.
Looking toward the future of DEI&B nationwide, Lamarre says: “I anticipate the movement to continue strengthening and representing all dimensions of diversity as long as we keep our foot on the pedal to move forward. Additionally, bringing ‘belonging’ further along, allowing employees to feel secure and authentic in sharing their feedback and ideas will be a huge focus. I expect the DEI&B journey to continue its progress and the insurance industry to make greater strides in advancing its efforts in this area.”
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Michele Lamarre
Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
Leadership
As head of diversity, inclusion and belonging at QBE North America, Michele Lamarre delivers strategic direction, thought leadership and inclusion competencies to advance the organization’s mission and business objectives. With over 20 years of experience in the financial services and insurance industries, Michele previously held leadership roles at AIG, Moody’s Analytics, UBS Wealth Management, and JP Morgan Chase. Michele earned a BA degree from Hofstra University and an MBA from the University of Miami. She is an avid global traveler and earned an Introductory Sommelier Certificate from the Court of Master Sommeliers.
Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
Michele Lamarre
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