Members of YAI’s Business Advisory Council (BAC) recently gathered for their Spring meeting, graciously hosted by Maggi Madden, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel of Employment Law at Pfizer. The keynote speaker was Pfizer’s Chief Financial Officer, Frank D’Amelio, executive sponsor of the Disability Colleague Council - an Employee Resource Group (ERG) at Pfizer.

Frank D'Amelio, Chief Financial Officer, Pfizer

An ERG is a powerful way to connect with and support employees with disabilities because ERGs reinforce the belief that a diversity of abilities and backgrounds contributes to more innovative ideas, which in turn leads to organizational success. For both employees with disabilities as well as for employees who have a family member with a disability, an ERG can serve as a support network and a way of connecting and brainstorming with others who are passionate about changing external perceptions about disabilities.

"An Employee Resource Group helps raise awareness of your company’s commitment to diversity and ensures that proper supports are in place so that the needs of all employees and their families will be met," said Frank. "ERGs also create more inclusive environments for everyone, and when corporations like those here today and organizations like YAI share their knowledge, we all position ourselves, our companies and our employees as a stronger resource for others."

Following the keynote speech, four BAC members with experience forming and working with ERGs sat on a panel with the goal of serving as a valuable resource to corporations to engage attendees. The panel leaders were Roberta Zito, KPMG, Kate Schaub, Advisen, Joshua Levine, Barclays and Nadine Vogel, Springboard Consulting. The open dialogue between panelists addressed many questions that companies may have in regards to forming an ERG and the benefits associated with them. Panelists spoke about best practices for establishing the group, the types of ERGs and the role of non-profit groups such as YAI in helping to meet their ERG’s goals.

Left to right: Nadine Vogel, Springboard Consulting; Joshua Levine, Barclays; Kate Schaub, Advisen; Roberta Zito, KPMG; Michael Kramer, YAI Network.

"Employee Resource Groups must have a well-communicated vision, mission and objectives that clearly link back to the current business model, goals and objectives in order for it to be successful and sustainable," said Nadine, who shared her thoughts on ways to brand and market an ERG.

Joshua built upon this by discussing recruiting and growing an established ERG. "The experience of working alongside successful people with disabilities is more impactful than any awareness event and that’s just one of the many reasons why developing a recruiting program is so critical to an ERG," he said.

KPMG’s Employee Resource Group, called Abilities in Motion network, was formed a few years ago. Of Abilities in Motion Roberta said: "Our ERG has grown significantly over time, not just in the resources and programs we offer our employees and caregivers, but the sense of inclusiveness that is emerging as a result. The point is that it is a multi-year process with a continued focus to put it out there, talk about it, bring it to the surface in order to signify that it is part your organization’s culture."