Building Bridges

State Street’s company-wide Global Inclusion initiative, launched in 2004, aims to ensure that our employees have the opportunity to do their best work in an environment where they feel valued and engaged. Global Inclusion focuses on helping managers to develop or enhance their management skills, building the infrastructure needed to attract and retain a diverse employee population, and increasing openness and transparency in communications. State Street Connect, a Global Inclusion employee network, builds bridges that connect State Street employees to one another, the corporation and the community. The program is currently available in Eastern Massachusetts, Japan and Australia, where it is open to all employees regardless of age, race or background. Expansion to other State Street locations is underway.

In Eastern Massachusetts, more than 500 employees are currently members of State Street Connect, which has four specific networks: local professional, community, school-based and social events. The local professional network builds relationships with professional organizations outside State Street, offering employees opportunities to meet other area professionals. The community network seeks to increase participation in existing State Street volunteer initiatives by fostering teamwork and highlighting the advantages of skills-based volunteering. It promotes participation in volunteer projects, such as those identified by Common Impact, a nonprofit organization that matches teams of skilled corporate volunteers from leading companies to nonprofits that need assistance in the areas of information technology, marketing and human resources. The school-based network builds relationships among employees who are alumni of the same college, assists with recruiting at their alma maters and mentors new employees from their colleges. The social events network hosts everything from networking breakfasts and lunches to panel discussions and sports activities.

Japan Connect hosts and sponsors activities and events, creates networking opportunities for employees, increases company awareness, works to remove barriers among employees in different business units, connects employees to the community, and promotes State Street initiatives.

Australia Connect aims to create a central resource for employees to access networking opportunities within Australia. Areas of emphasis include development opportunities, such as Toastmasters and professional networking organizations, “lunch and learn” sessions and business-related panel discussions, as well as lighthearted social activities and sports activities.