Diversity & inclusion Archives

Building a network on the softball field

Advice from crew, Crew benefits, Culture

Family comes first

Global technology leader shares career perspectives

Crew benefits, Culture, Diversity & inclusion, Our mission

Celebrating Global Accessibility

Advice from crew, Career opportunities, Crew benefits, Culture, Day in the Life, Our mission

That company down the street that doesn’t give advice? Think again.

Vanguard leaders share what inclusion means to them

Culture, In the community, Our mission

Why you should raise your hand for that volunteer opportunity at work

Advice from crew, Culture, Day in the Life, Our mission

Connecting with the Vanguard mission

Advice from crew, Culture, Diversity & inclusion, Voyage to Vanguard

Make a choice and take a chance

Celebrating #BlackHistoryMonth at Vanguard

Advice from crew, Diversity & inclusion

What makes these Vanguard leaders proud to be crew

Culture, Day in the Life, Voyage to Vanguard

I wasn’t just hired, I was welcomed

Accolades & Recognition, Advice from crew, Culture

Why is Vanguard one of the Best Places to Work in IT?

Everyday Inclusion

Culture, Our mission

Vanguard crew share memories of founder, Jack Bogle

Serving families who have served for us

I left the military three years ago, nine years after taking my first Oath of Office. Transitioning from serving in an organization that was so core to my identity turned out to be no small task. Over the next two years in business school, I often wondered if I would be able to find that sense of service in my future workplace. When I came to Vanguard after graduation, I quickly found my answer.

VetsConnect Joins Forces with ACP
Shortly after coming aboard, I was asked if I would be interested in working to stand up a new partnership with American Corporate Partners (ACP), a nonprofit aimed at pairing corporate leaders with veterans transitioning to the private sector. The goal of the partnership was to respond to the broader desire of the Vanguard community to more visibly support our nation’s veterans. The VetsConnect / ACP partnership would act as a gateway to connect Vanguard Crew with service members outside the organization.
I had familiarity with ACP, as I had taken part as a protégé (mentee) myself during my transition out of the military. This opportunity would now allow me the chance to give back on the corporate side of the relationship. Needless to say, I was ecstatic.

Crew Respond in a Big Way
Our first priority was to create a community of corporate mentors here at Vanguard. Initially, we were hoping to identify a total of fifty crew members who would like to take part. Within the first day of sign ups we had exceeded our initial goal, and by the end of the week we had more than 90 mentors involved. In fact, after benchmarking against other corporate sign up rates, Vanguard crew were 23x more likely to sign up to mentor a veteran. This tremendous response was an incredible testament to the authenticity of the culture, and I was able to witness firsthand something I had heard a lot about as a new hire: Vanguard’s commitment to mission and willingness to give back.

White House Military Spouses Summit
Several months later, ACP was invited to attend a Military Spouses Summit at the White House. Representing Vanguard, I traveled to Washington DC along with representatives from 45 other businesses to discuss the unique employment challenges that military spouses face. At present, there are more than 600,000 military spouses and 16% (4x the national average) are unemployed. They face a myriad of unique challenges, including a lack of license and certification transferability across state lines and fragmented resumes due to constant relocation and deployments. Our goal was to ask how corporations and non-profits could help. How can we do more? What opportunities exist? The chance to work with corporate partners to address (and continue addressing) these questions is an extremely rewarding experience. For me, it represents an evolution of my desire to serve, aided by the mission and crew of Vanguard. Although I no longer serve on active duty, I’m extremely proud to say that I work at Vanguard, where we serve families who have served for us.

– Bill F.

ACP: https://www.acp-usa.org/

Additional testimonials from ACP protégé’s and Vanguard mentors

“The program helps our organization as it helps veterans – win/win. The matching of protégé to mentor is quite good and the seamless accountability is a big plus!”

“I think the connection is great. I wish I had the same kind of opportunity when I departed active duty back in 2011 and could have skipped some of my early mistakes in my civilian career. You don’t know what you don’t know and it’s easy for veterans just to take the path of least resistance without being challenged by someone who is already there.”

If you’re seeking an environment where you can make a difference and develop professionally, check out our opportunities at www.vanguardjobs.com.

More career blogs you may have missed

#LifeAtVanguard

Culture, Diversity & inclusion, Our mission, Voyage to Vanguard

Serving families who have served for us

Building a network on the softball field

Advice from crew, Day in the Life, Our mission, Voyage to Vanguard

A conversation with Chief Information Officer, John Marcante

Advice from crew, Crew benefits, Culture

Family comes first

Global technology leader shares career perspectives

Crew benefits, Culture, Diversity & inclusion, Our mission

Celebrating Global Accessibility

Advice from crew, Career opportunities, Crew benefits, Culture, Day in the Life, Our mission

That company down the street that doesn’t give advice? Think again.

Advice from crew, Our mission, Voyage to Vanguard executive

Vanguard leaders share what inclusion means to them

Culture, In the community, Our mission

Why you should raise your hand for that volunteer opportunity at work

Advice from crew, Culture, Day in the Life, Our mission

Connecting with the Vanguard mission

Why these leaders joined Vanguard

Advice from crew, Culture, Diversity & inclusion, Voyage to Vanguard

Make a choice and take a chance

Celebrating #BlackHistoryMonth at Vanguard

What makes these Vanguard leaders proud to be crew

Culture, Day in the Life, Voyage to Vanguard

I wasn’t just hired, I was welcomed

Curious about our Information Technology career opportunities? We’ve got you covered.

Global technology leader shares career perspectives

May 29, 2019/in Culture, Diversity & inclusion abha, career, information, information technology, technology /by manjunath

Global technology leader shares career perspectives

Abha Kumar, Principal in Information Technology, sits down with Senior Manager, Nivedita Masani, to discuss her career journey as well as global perspectives. In this feature, Abha shares insights into her formative years and how various experiences have shaped her professional career. What tips does she have for individuals interested in the Information & Technology industry? Abha says, “Hold true to your values and look for tomorrow’s adventures.”

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Meeting Vanguard at the Grace Hopper conference

Advice from crew, Career opportunities, Day in the Life

Solving problems and innovating through data science

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Our Final Week of Vanguard’s IT Internship: Presenting to our Chairman & CIO

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Techies Day

Celebrating Global Accessibility

Vanguard’s annual celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), held on May 16, placed a spotlight on the role of assistive technology in helping people with disabilities achieve more independent and productive lives.

Assistive technology takes many forms: adapted vehicles, hearing aids, safety devices, scooters and wheelchairs, in addition to computers, iPads, tablet software, and hardware.

Signage at an Accessibility event

Our 2019 GAAD celebration featured a guest presentation from Susan Tachau of the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF), a statewide, non-profit organization that helps individuals with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians acquire assistive technology devices and services. The presentation provided information about the organization, how it helps people with disabilities find funding and access to assistive technology tools; and on raising awareness of financial education and literacy.

Before and after the event, our crew had opportunities to learn more about assistive technology tools and gained insights into how we can all advocate for accessibility at work and in our communities.

Picture of a presenter at a Vanguard Global Accessibility event

More career blogs you may have missed

#LifeAtVanguard

Navigating a complicated home life

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Serving families who have served for us

Global technology leader shares career perspectives

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Celebrating Global Accessibility

Advice from crew, Culture, Diversity & inclusion, Voyage to Vanguard

Make a choice and take a chance

Advice from crew, Diversity & inclusion

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Everyday Inclusion

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What it means to be a thought leader

Advice from crew, Career opportunities, Diversity & inclusion, Voyage to Vanguard

Boots to Suits: Transitioning to the corporate world as a veteran

Advice from crew, Career opportunities, Diversity & inclusion, Voyage to Vanguard

From Airman to crew member: Presenting the best of myself

Diversity & inclusion

Vanguard Celebrates National Coming Out Day (VIDEO)

Culture, Diversity & inclusion, Our mission

Four tips for a more inclusive environment

Vanguard National Hispanic Heritage Month

Diversity & inclusion, Training & education

Celebrating “mi comunidad” during National Hispanic Heritage Month

Crew benefits, Diversity & inclusion

Fighting for my daughter. Advocating for myself.

Vanguard women break down investment acumen myths and perceptions

Advice from crew, Career opportunities, Diversity & inclusion, Voyage to Vanguard

Make a choice and take a chance

March 8, 2019/in Advice from crew, Culture, Diversity & inclusion, Voyage to Vanguard career, vanguard /by manjunath

Make a choice and take a chance

“The last two years have been intense. I had a baby, I started business school, I moved from New York City to Pennsylvania to start a new job at Vanguard. But when I think about it, I’m really happy. This has been the best career move and the way Vanguard supports its crew members to balance work and life has been amazing.”

Hear from Amrita T. as she shares her Vanguard story.

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Vanguard crew innovate new technology through the Discovery Challenge

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Four Unexpected Things I Love about Working in Investment Management

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3 tips from my midlife start at Vanguard

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What is a VTO day?

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Internal Audit: diverse work, a welcoming team, and time for my son

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Celebrating #BlackHistoryMonth at Vanguard

February 28, 2019/in Culture, Diversity & inclusion african american, american, black, black history, community, crew, ethiopia, family, grandmother, history, nursing homes, parade in harlem, shared, story, vanguard, vbpn, work, year's black, year's black history, youth march /by manjunath

Celebrating #BlackHistoryMonth at Vanguard

During this year’s Black History Month, Vanguard hosted a company-wide celebration, bringing crew together near and far.

The Vanguard Black Professional Network (VBPN) kicked off February with a keynote event featuring Mehrsa Baradaran, bank scholar, associate dean at the School of Law at the University of Georgia, and author of The Color of Money: Black Banks and the Racial Wealth Gap.

In an effort to build connections globally, VBPN also introduced The Diaspora blog series, where crew shared personal stories that highlight the rich cultural heritage and diversity of the VBPN community.

We invite you to read the following excerpts from these #InclusionatVanguard stories that have also been shared personally on LinkedIn.

Algreen Bakasa’s Story

Today, I am heavily involved in the community both at work and outside of work, and strive to maximize every opportunity I receive by paying it forward. By helping create better opportunities for disadvantaged minority children and young adults, I hope they receive an opportunity that will change their trajectory like the one afforded me.

During this year’s Black History Month, I challenge you to take the time to really know the unique stories of those around you, learn their culture, and what makes them tick. As a global organization, Vanguard has crew from many diverse backgrounds with unique experiences and perspectives. What keeps me motivated each day is knowing that: “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Antonia Singleton’s Story

Growing up in Harlem, despite the crime and war on drugs, there were many fun, community uplifting and educational events and traditions that I loved to take part in with my family. My top three traditions were: attending the African American Day Parade in Harlem, The Million Youth March, and block parties during the summer on Saturdays. The African American Day Parade in Harlem was an opportunity for people around the world to come and celebrate black people and black culture in America just two short blocks away from where I grew up. My dad took my sister and I to the Million Youth March every year from inception until it tapered off. He wanted us to be aware of what was going on in the country with regards to the African American community and how we were treated. He wanted us to listen to and learn from the leaders in our community, as they usually shared what we could do as young black children in America to help make a difference.

Ajaa Jackson’s Story

Growing up with my grandmother, I gained a sincere appreciation for diverse cultures. She taught me at an early age there were places far away from Sierra Vista, Arizona where people lived similarly yet differently from us. My grandmother spoke on the phone—to me what seemed like all the time—with family in Ethiopia and friends across the U.S. I would listen to her speak in Tigrinya, Italian, and English, sharing boastful laughter with family and friends. She also regularly hosted friends for coffee. The delight of roasted coffee bean smoke mixed with incense frequently permeated the house—a smell I’ll never forget. She loved bright colors, both in her home and clothing, which complemented her unquenchable zest for life.

Our family got to share my grandmother’s satisfaction of achieving her dream of becoming an American citizen in 2002.

Although she is no longer in this life with us, her spirit lives on in our family. She is preceded by her siblings in Axum, Ethiopia. In February, I will be taking what I hope is my first of many trips to Ethiopia. My grandmother’s love of Ethiopia has always fueled my desire to visit, and this trip is a lifelong dream come true!

Shauna Collick’s Story

While I’m blessed to have many amazing family members, the moment I was asked to write a blog representing a piece of my history, I immediately thought of my paternal grandmother. As a youth, I vividly remember when she would take me to nursing homes and hospitals. She would always tell me to smile at the patients, look them in the eye, and that it’s okay to give them a gentle touch of affection on their hand or shoulder. Because of that experience, I started having my daughter visit local nursing homes when she was in preschool. She would hand out her art work and it would inevitably be the highlight of someone’s day.

My grandmother demonstrated that you can rise up from poverty and live a fulfilling life if you put God first, work hard, pursue education, and use political, economic, and social influence to improve your community.

Everyday Inclusion

Everyday Inclusion

When I started out on my own after college, like so many people I furnished my apartment with items passed down from family members—drinking glasses from my grandmother, dishes from my aunt, lamps from my parents, and a well-used sofa from my older brother. It was a great new adventure as I had my own place and I was now a “wise, all knowing adult.” One day some friends visited and laughed at the lamps. I knew the lamps were older, but they were still cool-looking and in good shape. But my friends were actually joking about the plastic wrap that was on the lamp shades. You know what I am talking about—that protective plastic covering that is on lamps in the store when purchased (and that remained on those lamps all those years). I was perplexed and thought, “EVERYONE has the original plastic wrap on their lamps. At least everyone from where I grew up left the plastic on. What’s wrong with these friends for thinking this was odd?” It was eye opening for me that, in fact, not everyone leaves the plastic wrap on lamp shades. Who knew?!?

I look back on this story with humor and great pride. Those covered lamp shades linked to the history of the people where I grew up in central New York State. The area had been settled by European immigrants who came to the United States to establish a better life for themselves and for their children. They worked hard to make it in the U.S. and experienced the Great Depression. Their past financial struggles gave them an appreciation for preserving and protecting their assets. Those lamp shades were a reflection of the culture and the values of my upbringing.

We all have our unique ways of doing things based on who we are and our previous experiences. Sometimes we may feel that our approach is similar to everyone else, and other times we may feel like the outsider, not fully understanding the norms of the group we are in. The opportunity for this variety of feelings is even more likely at work where we have the incredible opportunity to be around colleagues who come from various backgrounds and experiences. It’s the intertwining and interaction of all of us and all of our backgrounds that help create a diverse and inclusive environment.

For me a key element of inclusion is simply having a conversation and getting to know more about others, and being open to understanding and appreciating different approaches. I ask questions and try to get to know others and their story. I may not always fully understand or even agree, but I always walk away with a better appreciation. And, most often, I find I have more in common with other people than I could have imagined. In times I have felt like the outsider, I have always appreciated when someone took the time to welcome me, get know more about me, or seek my opinion. It was through these actions of others that I felt a greater sense of belonging and comradery.

So, the next time you run into someone with “plastic wrap on their lamp shade,” be curious. Strike up a conversation, and seek to know more about them. If you are like me, you will be amazed by what you learn.

-Ken O. (The Vanguard Group, Diversity and Inclusion, PA)

We’re hiring investment management professionals! Learn more here.

What it means to be a thought leader

November 14, 2018/in Advice from crew, Day in the Life, Diversity & inclusion behavior and the value, chief investment officer, chief investment officer greg, chief investment officer greg davis, investment, investment analyst, investment management, investment officer greg, investment officer greg davis, investment strategy, investment strategy group, investor behavior and the value, officer greg davis, research, research helps, research helps vanguard, strategy group, thought leadership, value of financial, value of financial advice /by fdoerr

What it means to be a thought leader

My family and friends often ask me to explain what it means to work as an investment analyst in the Investment Strategy Group at Vanguard. I answer by saying that my job is to develop thought leadership. Now, if you’re not sure what the phrase thought leadership means, you’re not alone. When I first joined Vanguard, I didn’t understand what it meant either. Essentially, within my role, thought leadership means investment research that aims to go beyond what’s already been published within the industry or showcases a differentiated opinion. This research helps Vanguard answer key topical questions: What is the value of financial advice? How should investors be thinking through decision-making in retirement? What is Vanguard’s outlook for the economy and the capital markets? Answering these questions by way of research helps Vanguard continue to educate our clients and crew—and helps further establish Vanguard as a leading investment management firm.

A vertical learning curve

When I began my rotation in the Investment Strategy Group through Vanguard’s leadership development program, I felt fairly intimidated by how much I didn’t know. The group was full of subject-matter-experts who not only conducted research, but frequently acted as ambassadors, discussing and delivering our group’s research in crew trainings, client meetings, and at industry conferences. While I had a background in economics and was passionate about investing, I was unsure about being able to contribute as a new team member within such a tenured department.

What I realized was that being surrounded by such knowledgeable leaders and analysts ensured that my learning curve was essentially vertical. The culture was so collaborative and grounded in intellectual curiosity that I quickly began to build both investment and technical acumen. Throughout various projects, I was able to leverage and maximize my own unique skillset while partnering with other analysts to bring my analytical skills and systems knowledge up to par. I loved the fact that there truly were no bad questions, and everyone was eager to share their experience and knowledge, whether it was over a casual coffee or in the midst of a department-wide town hall.

The content creation process

Shortly after completing my rotation and joining the group permanently, I was aligned to the Advisor’s Alpha research team, which focuses on investor behavior and the value of financial advice. When I began working on my first whitepaper, I collaborated with members of my team and partnered with leaders and practitioners in Vanguard’s client-facing divisions. Our goals were to create differentiated content that would shape the industry conversation and to outline best practices that would give institutional clients the best chance of achieving their mission (i.e. charity, education, retirement).

Creating thought leadership, no matter the topic, often happens in phases. We started off by doing deep dive research, poring through academic studies, industry intelligence, and previously published whitepapers. I really enjoyed the “get smart” phase because it allowed me to get a feel for the broader conversation happening in the industry around institutional advice. Then, we began outlining our approach, performing analysis, and drafting the paper. The writing phase was challenging but rewarding as we iterated through a number of versions and honed in on our structure, language, and visualization. Though it was a long journey, the skills I gained by working through the research process were invaluable.

A foundational skill set

My favorite aspect of working as an investment analyst in this group is that it’s given me broad exposure to numerous investment disciplines across the globe. While I work in Vanguard’s Scottsdale, Arizona office, the Investment Strategy Group is spread across our headquarters in Pennsylvania as well as a number of international offices, allowing us to conduct thought leadership on a global scale. By avidly reading and organically learning from experts in the department, I’ve built a base of knowledge across all of our research specialties including portfolio construction, retirement, and the economy and markets.

In addition to that wide-ranging foundation, I’ve delved deeply into my own research specialty. I realized that a challenging first step to being a thought leader and influencing industry conversation is being well-versed in what’s already been said. By leaning on my team’s experience and conducting research alongside our business partners, I’ve educated myself on the existing dialogue around investor behavior and the value of advice. In the future, I aspire to continue contributing to this dialogue as a developing thought leader (and proudly explaining my job to my friends and family when they ask!)

-Sneha K.

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