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Interview with Ana Duarte McCarthy |
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| Published on September 29, 2006 |
1.What does diversity mean to you?Why is it important to have a diverse workplace?
Diversity recognizes that talent has no boundaries, and through our diversity efforts, we have an opportunity to ensure that we make strong efforts to recruit, retain and develop a workforce that represents the available labor pool in the communities where we operate, as well as our customers. These efforts are essential to ensuring that we are achieving our goal of being the most respected financial services company in the world.
2.How does your company measure success regarding diversity?
Citigroup values a work environment where diversity is embraced, where people are promoted on their merits, and where people treat each other with mutual respect and dignity. Around the world, we are committed to being a company where the best people work; where opportunities to develop are widely available; where innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit are valued; and where a healthy work/life balance is encouraged.
We review our diversity efforts quarterly with our CEO and business leaders and our board of directors annually to measure how we are trending with regard to our objectives on attracting diverse talent, workforce development, and fostering an inclusive work environment. As an example, we implement an annual employee opinion survey that has 4 items that we consider as our diversity index, and we examine our trending on these items year/year.
3.What kind of opportunities do you give small business within your company?What's the process that they need to follow to be able to do business with your company?
The Citigroup Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) works to create mutually beneficial business relationships with diverse suppliers that strengthen the communities we serve and create value for our shareholders. The primary thrust of this program is to provide maximum opportunity to diverse suppliers and consultants who satisfy our purchasing and contractual standards. Sourcing areas of the corporation are encouraged to identify and include diverse suppliers and consultants in the procurement process.
Citigroup's search for diverse suppliers is not limited to those suppliers who already meet purchasing and contractual requirements. A secondary objective of the program is to provide technical and managerial assistance that will help suppliers meet our criteria. With this assistance, we hope to give more diverse suppliers access to corporate buyers.
Citigroup is committed to assisting diverse suppliers in their growth and development on a long-term basis. Today, the SDP encompasses all of Citigroup's businesses in the United States. The SDP is responsible for supporting and encouraging each business group in the effort to identify and include diverse suppliers and consultants in their purchasing activities.
The SDP maintains a list of diverse suppliers, seeks additional suppliers for referral to purchasing areas, and secures the technical and managerial assistance needed to help qualify diverse suppliers.Interested vendors can contact our Supplier Diversity Program at http://www.citigroup.com/citigroup/corporate/supplier_diversity/index.htm
4.What's the business case for corporate responsibility or inclusion?
As a leading institution with a proud history, Citigroup plays an important role in the global economy. Our CEO Chuck Prince has made clear that corporate citizenship and diversity are integral to our business. Because of our size, profitability and global reach, we know we must do this well. It is not only the right thing to do for society, but it is a way of building our brand and investing in our business for the long term.
5.Do you believe it is important to have a Hispanic corporate board member?What do you think is their contribution?
Citigroup's Corporate Governance Guidelines set forth a number of factors that the Board considers when evaluating director candidates.Given the nature of Citigroup's financial services operations and its global scale, the Board values candidates with financial expertise who have experience leading large business, governmental or non-profit organizations.At the same time, the Board seeks candidates whose background reflects the diverse communities and geographies in which Citigroup operates.For example, each of the four most recently elected members of the Board brings with him or her perspective that enables the Board to better serve Citigroup's customers and shareholders. We are proud that our board is diverse, including two members of Hispanic heritage.
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