NEWSROOM

Who We Are: DE&I Every Day, All Day

Last year was full of learning, exploration and innovation for GM Financial’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) strategy. Throughout the year, several programs and initiatives honoring employees, customers and the community were introduced, with other additions solidifying their place as annual staples:

We Are: DE&I Council

To start the year, 74 new members were welcomed to GM Financial’s Global DE&I Council. The council, which consists of 123 total team members, enhances employee engagement, facilitates education and generates ideas that shape the company’s culture. Together, five sub-teams — Branding and Messaging, Culture Awareness, Development, Equity, and Onboarding and Recruiting — work on the alignment and development of DE&I strategies from a global perspective.

We Are: Black History

February is Black History Month, an annual celebration of African Americans’ achievements and influential contributions to society. During the month, a panel composed of alumni from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) included team members who discussed the benefits of receiving an education from an HBCU, provided networking tips and shared personal experiences about working in the auto finance industry. GM Financial also hosted Arlington’s Chief of Police Al Jones who spoke about the importance of transparency, respect, engagement, accountability and teamwork in and outside of a work environment.

We Are: Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Working Parents, an ERG that promotes healthy strategies for caregivers to help them balance home and work responsibilities, launched a new international chapter to serve GM Financial team members in Latin America and China. Another ERG, Women’s Inspiration Network (WIN), celebrated its five-year anniversary. WIN, which seeks to address issues impacting women in the workplace by creating open dialogue between women and men, also arranged several professional development workshops for team members.

We Are: HBCU Partnership Challenge

As part of GM Financial’s participation in the HBCU Partnership Challenge, the company served as a Community Partner Sponsor for the 2022 Arlington Football Showdown. The three-day community and cultural experience included a scholarship gala, a college and career fair and concluded with a football game between Texas Southern University and Southern University. For the second year in a row, GM Financial also invited students to its Sophomore Leadership Internship Program (SLIP). Another component of the company’s involvement in the HBCU partnership challenge, SLIP aims to promote corporate engagement, develop new career possibilities for students and improve DE&I across the auto finance industry.

We Are: Pride

Observed annually in June, Pride Month commemorates members of the LGBTQIA+ community. In addition to attending events in their local communities, team members showcased their support for Pride by participating in photo and storytelling opportunities offered by the company. As a result of these efforts, and the company’s ongoing commitment to creating and sustaining an inclusive workplace for team members across the globe, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and Equidad MX awarded GM Financial Mexico the “Best LGBTQ+ Places to Work” certification. This is the second consecutive year GM Financial Mexico earned the recognition.

We Are: Generations

In November, GM Financial launched YounGen, an ERG focused on the education, networking and professional development of young team members at the company. In conjunction with the launch of this new ERG, GM Financial also debuted its Generations Roundtable video series. The 10-part series unites team members from various generations to discuss their thoughts and experiences on key topics related to DE&I. Notable topics include mental health, work-life balance, allyship and working from home.

We Are: International

As a global provider of auto finance, GM Financial’s DE&I efforts in international markets continue to be a focus for the company. For example, GM Financial Mexico invited team members in leadership roles to partake in an immersive gender equity training program. In Chile, the company was awarded the Compromiso Migrante certification, which recognizes companies for outstanding achievements in inclusion, intercultural approach and nondiscrimination practices.

2022 was full of noteworthy progress, however, more work is set to be completed in 2023. Though the year is over and a new one has begun, one thing remains constant: DE&I is Every Day, All Day. 

By Kris Scott, GM Financial

Kris Scott has a passion for writing and often uses his talent as a catalyst for social change, increasing knowledge and building communities. When he’s not spreading positive vibes, you’ll find him yelling “Hail Tide” — a moniker of support for both Mississippi State University and the University of Alabama.