test-smed7204

Experian celebrates its fifth consecutive year of achieving the highest score in the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index (CEI),  solidifying our position as a leader in LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion. Our enduring commitment to LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion has not only earned us this prestigious recognition, but also underscores our dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.  Michele Bodda, Executive Sponsor of Experian’s PRIDE ERG said, “I am incredibly proud to see our company achieve this milestone recognition again. It's a testament to the dedication of our entire Experian family in fostering an inclusive and accepting workplace where everyone can be their authentic selves.”  LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion in ActionOur score of 100 in the 2023 CEI is a testament to our continued efforts in promoting LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion. Here are some of the initiatives that exemplify our commitment:  Progressive Benefit Programs: Experian offers comprehensive benefit programs that encompass transgender services and provide equal coverage to same and different-sex domestic partners and spouses. These benefits support the diverse needs of all our employees.  Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Policies: Our non-discrimination and equal employment policies are committed to fairness and respect for all employees, transcending federal requirements and embracing inclusivity without regard to gender identity or sexual orientation.    Transgender and Nonbinary Identity Support: We've created a process for transgender and non-binary individuals to update their identity documentation without emotional and financial strain. We also suppress their former names (deadnames) from Experian credit reports.  The Power of YOU Initiative: To foster an inclusive work culture, Experian actively supports LGBTQ+ employees through initiatives like the Power of YOU campaign and the PRIDE Employee Resource Group. Check out the 2023 Power of You DEI Report to learn more.  Celebrating five consecutive years of earning the highest possible score on the CEI is a milestone that underscores our continued dedication to creating an inclusive work environment where every employee, feels supported, valued, and empowered.  For more information on our HRC Award and the 2023 Corporate Equality Index, check out the full report here. You can also learn more about Experian’s awards for our work supporting consumers, businesses, and our employees here. 

Experian North America has once again been recognized for its inclusive work environment and corporate culture by The Orange County Register. This marks the 11th straight year that Experian has been named to the list of Top Workplaces. The publication annually surveys employees at hundreds of local businesses to evaluate their respective companies on a variety of criteria. According to the OC Register, we earned the accolade based on a positive company culture and listening to our team. This was highlighted by employees’ response to our collaborative and engaging work environment — one that enables every team member to clearly understand their own personal contribution to the company's mission. By welcoming a wide range of ideas and opinions, we’ve been able to create a favorable environment for employee achievement while continuing to develop new and better ways to serve our clients and benefit consumers. This latest award builds on other recognitions the company has received, including being recognized on Fortune’s list of the “100 Best Companies to Work For.” Great Places to Work, a global authority on workplace culture, has listed Experian as one of the “Best Workplaces for Parents™” and one of the “Best Workplaces for Millennials™” “While business strategy is core to our growth and success, the only way that strategy gets executed is to build a culture that makes workers want to stick around and give their best each day,” said Jennifer Schulz, Experian North America CEO. “I am proud that we are recognized for driving an award-winning culture, while staying true to our growth strategy.”  

By the time Vikki Nunnery decided to join the U.S. Army, she was almost finished with her nursing degree. It was her senior year, on the cusp of achieving her Bachelor of Science. A professor piqued her interest in the military. “One of my instructors was an LPN. She deployed and did a presentation about being a nurse in the army. I came in (to the Army) as a registered nurse (RN) and am now a nurse practitioner,” Nunnery said. Now Lieutenant Colonel Nunnery, DNP, is married to a fellow military member, has two children and has been on active duty for 17 years. Between student loans and credit cards, she also accumulated a lot of debt. “We never talked about (money) at home. My family never talked about managing money,” Nunnery said. “Being married with kids, I’m trying to be more financially responsible for the future.” Experian and Operation HOPE are helping Nunnery do just that. She is a client of the expansion of its partnership, which offers new, no-cost dedicated resources specifically for active duty members, veterans and military families across the country. The program provides financial coaching and wellness, credit education and financial disaster preparedness. The unique circumstances of the military community impact their finances more than the general population. A survey shows servicemembers and their spouses have more difficulty paying some monthly bills and finding economic assistance because of overseas deployments and frequent moves, combined with rising inflation. “(This work) is personal. I’ve been working around military communities for over 10 years. I know the challenges,” said Jessica Hamel, financial wellbeing coach for Operation HOPE Inside Experian program. Hamel is a Gold Star sister and military spouse. Her husband’s divorce and her brother’s passing had negative financial impacts on their respective families. “Often with some of our younger soldiers, younger service members, they haven’t had life experience in terms of needing to budget. We have members of the military right now right out of high school and there’s not a lot of experience managing their own money. They’re quickly thrust into a place where they don’t have a support system to do that,” Hamel said. “What we see at some major bases is a lot of predatory financial institutions – payday lenders, title max loans, pawn shops, buy-here-pay-here dealerships.” "We have members of the military right now right out of high school and there’s not a lot of experience managing their own money. They’re quickly thrust into a place where they don’t have a support system to do that." Without a foundation of money management know-how, as service members move up in rank and earn more money, their habits can follow. Hamel stressed the importance of helping clients establish a foundation of knowledge and provide tools to help them address specific financial situations and their future. “Clients know they need to do something different than the way they grew up, but perhaps they grew up in generational poverty and they’re using the military to secure a job immediately, get job experience or support. They can make a great living in the military,” she said. “They don’t know what they don’t know, but they know they don’t have all the right information.” With Hamel’s guidance, Nunnery has set up a budget and developed habits that have led to increased savings, saving for a house, and a bump in credit scores. Hamel is also exploring whether Nunnery qualifies for public school loan forgiveness. The couple is planning to pass on these lessons to their kids, starting with opening their own checking accounts, and teaching them how to save, budget, and the importance of credit scores. “Without Jessica, we’d still be living paycheck to paycheck. I wasn’t paying attention to my accounts. I was just spending and spending,” Nunnery said. “Little things like a budget, where our money is going – she really helps us focus on these things. That’s really good support.” “We have so many people who haven’t learned about credit and then get blamed for a game they never got the rules to,” Hamel said. “I’m honored to be the coach for this program.” For more information about financial coaching and resources for servicemembers, military family or veterans, contact Jessica Hamel at Jessica.hamel@operationhope.org.