Diversity & Inclusion

Experian is wrapping up several inspiring days at the 2024 Disability:IN Conference. We are a proud Presenting partner, and as part of our support this year, we had the honor of being the key sponsor for the NextGen Innovation Lab Pitch Competition. This initiative brings together young adults to develop innovative products or services that benefit individuals with disabilities. It provides a platform for young minds to harness their creativity and technical skills to solve real-world challenges faced by the disability community. This year, we challenged these NextGen leaders to create a product or service specifically for young adults with disabilities that can help them build their credit or improve their financial literacy. Only 10% of working aged people with disabilities consider themselves to be financially healthy, according to a recent study. Eight enthusiastic and passionate teams shared their ideas and the top two vote-getters’ pitched live, “Shark Tank” style, in front of thousands of conference attendees. The winner: Team 7’s “Experian Expedition,” which enhances the accessibility of the existing Experian app and adds new experiences such as an accessible credit card that also features braille; voice-guided, American Sign Language and closed-captioned exercises; and an incentive program for young adults as they reach various financial health milestones with cash back and coupons. We congratulate Team 7 and all of the teams for their collaboration with Experian and each other. The ideas and services developed through the NextGen iLab have the potential to make a significant impact on the disability community, enhancing accessibility, independence, and quality of life for millions. Sponsoring the NextGen iLab is just one of the many ways Experian is committed to disability inclusion. For the third consecutive year, Experian has achieved a top score in the Disability Equality Index (DEI) 2024. This accolade underscores Experian's ongoing efforts towards inclusivity in our workplace, products and services that are accessible and beneficial to individuals of all abilities, including the Support Hub, Financial Resilience Center, Inclusion Works, and the CMO/CCO Coalition. We’re proud our efforts are recognized by Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). To learn more about Experian’s commitment to inclusion, check out our Power of YOU Report 2024: Driving social impact and diversity, equity and inclusion in English, Portuguese and Spanish.

Making a real difference in the world starts with embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and accelerating social impact. It's not just the right thing to do, but it's also key to our mission of creating a better tomorrow, together. DEI isn't just a buzzword for us; it's at the heart of everything we do. Whether it's in our sustainability strategy or our day-to-day operations, we're committed to driving positive social impact and closing the financial wealth gap in underserved communities. It starts with our people. We’re proud to share their dedication and work in this year’s Experian Power of YOU Report 2024: Driving social impact and diversity, equity and inclusion in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Within these pages, you’ll see how we foster belonging with our teammates, and champion DEI beyond the walls of Experian. From developing products like Experian Smart Money to expanding Experian Boost in the United Kingdom, and launching Advance XScore in Peru, we're dedicated to making a difference in the world around us. To that end, you’ll see we’ve also included, for the first time, our new Positive Social Impact Framework, which will reinforce and help our clients, consumers and employees further understand how we are making a difference in our communities. At Experian, we strive to build a brighter, more inclusive future – for our employees, our clients, and our communities. Together, we can make a real difference.

Caps and gowns. Pomp and circumstance. Loans and debt. As the class of 2024 celebrate their college graduations, more than 43 million of them leave school with a total national debt of more than $1.6 trillion. Some are on better financial footing than others – with no debts as they start their careers – because of early financial and credit education. These learnings fueled ideas for students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) who competed in this year’s #IYKYK Pitch Competition (If You Know You Know), sponsored by HomeFree-USA and Experian. The challenge: to create solutions that help their peers become debt-free within five years of graduation. Here, finalists share some advice for graduates on how they can start their post-collegiate lives on solid financial footing: OLUWATOSIN OYEKEYE, Alabama State University You're not too young. I feel like most people think it's until you're married or you have kids before you should take your financial life seriously. From your first couple of first paychecks, look into where you can invest. If you don't want to live from paycheck to paycheck, look for ways to grow your money. Take your credit seriously. If you want to own a home, you want to buy a car, these things are important. It's not too early, it’s also not too late to start taking these things seriously. JAZMIN FELIZ ORELLANA, Bowie State University You don't have to start off with a credit card with a $10,000 limit. You can easily start off with a secured credit card. And that's actually one of my biggest pieces of advice. Get a credit card, be mindful with it, don't spend, don't max it out, but definitely just practice and start using it to see if you're actually able to maintain your credit. That's a piece of advice that definitely has worked with me, especially with building up my own credit, which I hope to get soon to 800. MARCUS HARRIS, North Carolina A&T University Always go out and explore opportunities that could first boost your credit and put you in a more financial-free state. For example, with Experian, they have an Experian Boost program that when you're in school, if you have rent, you rent an apartment, you could apply that. Or even the Netflix subscription, you can apply that to the Experian Boost program and therefore you can help build your credit over the time. TAYLOR PAYTON, Bowie State University To college students who are about to graduate, once they get that job offer with a lot of zeros behind it, be mindful of lifestyle influences. Just because you're making a certain amount of money does not mean you have to spend all of it. Be mindful not to keep up with the Joneses. CHIOMA KALU, Alabama State University There's something my sister used to say. She used to say, "Pay now, play later. Or if you play now, you pay later." I feel like if they focus during their youth when they can really do these things and really go out there, do the jobs, focus on paying off everything, getting that financial literacy, getting that financial freedom, and then at age 30 you're already set up for life. That makes more sense than just going through life, just ballin’, and then at the end of the day, if you have to pay when you're like 60? You're still paying student loans? Come on, now. CALVIN CHARLES III, Bowie State University Do not get caught up in social media. Just because you want to live in the city doesn't mean that that's what you have to do. And there's nothing wrong with roommates. They can allow you to reach your actual goals. Every meal does not have to be eaten out. Social media creates a lifestyle that you wish to live, and living in that moment is great, but you have to think about your future and building that wealth for yourself directly afterwards. All of these students were part of the Center for Financial Advancement Credit Academy. To learn more about this program that supports HBCU students, click here.

While cheering on your favorite tournament team during March Madness, basketball fans can become MVPs in financial literacy with Experian’s B.A.L.L. for Life™ (Be a Legacy Leader) gesture-controlled game. On the virtual court, the game can help students create their own shining moment in their financial health journey.  The B.A.L.L. for Life program helps young adults and their families set up a game plan to building generational wealth; the gesture-controlled game tests players’ knowledge about credit. Credit and financial coaches teach the basics of budgeting, saving, credit, investing, homeownership and more. B.A.L.L. for Life debuted at the 2023 Iverson Roundball Classic, for which Experian has supported as the exclusive financial literacy partner since 2022. Back then, a younger Cason Wallace (now with the Oklahoma City Thunder) talked with our Chief Diversity and Talent Acquistion Officer Wil Lewis and Experian partner and recording artist Lecrae about the importance of understanding money matters.   B.A.L.L. for Life serves as a catalyst for engaging with young adults and people who are credit invisible through live events and digital financial education. It powers in-person experiences such as the #IYKYK Pitch Competition (If You Know You Know) featuring HBCUs across the country, and The Legacy League Game Show which was part of the National Urban League’s 2024 Empowerment Summit. B.A.L.L for Life kicked off its college tour in November at the University of Texas San Antonio; Shaw University and Morgan State University will be its next stops in April. To learn more about B.A.L.L. for Life™, visit experian.com/legacy.

Happy International Women’s Day! Across the globe, we have celebrated this week with special events in-person and virtual, featuring best-selling authors, Experian leaders, and topics to further our team’s professional and personal growth. Volunteer events to brought us together and provided opportunities to give back to our communities. This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Inspire Inclusion” could not be a better fit for Experian. “At Experian, we understand that promoting gender equality is not just a core principle; it’s a strategic pillar for nurturing our growth. We remain firmly committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The contributions of women are fundamental to our success, underscoring the importance of creating an environment where all individuals, regardless of gender, have equal opportunities to thrive,” says Jennifer Schulz, North America Chief Executive Officer and Global Ambassador of the Women in Experian employee resource group (ERG). Global and business unit ambassadors from our Women in Experian ERG share how to Inspire Inclusion every day. Helen Emmett — Chief Financial Officer for Global Financial ServicesI inspire inclusion by consciously ensuring that every talent, performance and recruitment review is undertaken with a diversity and inclusion lens. I won’t recruit any role without a diverse shortlist and with goals for each job level. Actively mentoring and sponsoring female talent is important, as is calling out teams where diversity is not at acceptable levels. Charlotte Gillan — Global Head of TaxOur diversity is a very visible value at Experian; inclusion is tougher to get right, particularly post-pandemic. If we just have a diverse team, we won’t win. To win, we need people to bring different thoughts and experiences to the table, call or meeting. If we are inclusive, we need to ensure people are listened to and heard. One focus area for me is to really listen and then ask what people think and why. Sometimes this can lead to new ideas, new processes and innovations Marcela Velasco — Spanish Latin America Vice President of Human ResourcesI generate spaces for continuous and open communication, recognize and celebrate individual differences. I create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. Inclusive leadership is not only a responsibility, it’s also an opportunity to create a more enriching and productive work environment. Maria Pou – North America Senior Director of Consumer Information Services Product OperationsI inspire inclusion by actively seeking differences in views and perspectives from a place of love and wanting to understand. I want everybody I come in contact with to feel valued and respected.  Rodrigo Rodrigues — Vice President of Experian Information Technology ServicesInvest in science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) education for girls and underrepresented communities. To build a more inclusive future in technology, we must start by addressing the pipeline. Encouraging participation in STEM from an early age is crucial. I advocate for companies and organizations to support programs that expose girls and students from underrepresented communities to technology, offering scholarships, internships, and mentorship programs to help them pursue careers in tech. Maryam Damavandi — North America Senior Vice President and ControllerYou can develop an inclusion mindset by being open to differences in ideas, viewpoints and way of thinking and asking difficult questions when having authentic conversations with diverse individuals. Educate yourself with challenges that diverse individuals face.  Being aware can go a long way but having a voice, especially when something isn’t right can make a difference. Sumeeta Maxwell — Chief Human resources Officer for Experian Global Technology and Software SolutionsSupport the women around you and speak up for them if needed. Remind colleagues in real time of the actions that aren’t inclusive like when they interrupt. Be clear on how you want to be treated. Seek feedback - and do something with it. The women who have your back will tell you the truth!

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. 

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.

Early in my career, I gained a lot of knowledge about credit. But when I moved to the United States from Brazil, establishing credit was a challenge. I worked part-time in a credit card company call center during college. I come from a humble family, and through helping customers, I learned the ins and outs about credit and money management. But all the solid credit history I built up in my home country didn’t transfer to the U.S. When I immigrated, I had to pay upfront for everything from utilities to a cellphone and it made me feel at a disadvantage. Thanks to Experian Boost®i, our feature that allows you to build credit without debt, and responsible management of debt, my FICO® Scoreii quickly rose to reflect my true creditworthiness. But I’ll never forget how it felt to be invisible when it came to the credit system. Being seen is the first step to equitable access to financial tools. Now that Experian conveniently offers Experian credit reports in Spanish onlineiii, consumers who prefer to access information in Spanish will be able to directly comprehend their credit profile so they can feel empowered. Understanding your credit report is a critical component for your ability to make informed decisions about your finances. As the executive sponsor of our Juntos Employee Resource Group (ERG) and someone who was new to credit in the U.S., I know first-hand that being seen is the first step in a journey towards financial wellness. To help you be informed, Experian also has a Spanish-language credit e-book and articles at the Ask Experian blog. Learn more about my financial health journey and my colleague's through #ExperianStories. i Results will vary. Not all payments are boost-eligible. Some users may not receive an improved score or approval odds. Not all lenders use Experian credit files, and not all lenders use scores impacted by Experian Boost®. Learn more. ii Credit score calculated based on FICO® Score 8 model. Your lender or insurer may use a different FICO® Score than FICO® Score 8, or another type of credit score altogether. Learn more. iii Only Experian credit reports are available in Spanish. All other services associated with an Experian membership are available in English only. English fluency is required for full access to Experian’s products. 

Ball pits, a video game and a neon-pink house might not be what typically comes to mind when you think of our mission of financial inclusion. But that’s some of the ways Experian spent its summer sharing resources and information to empower underserved communities. FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND INNOVATION   The mild weather ushered-in summer early in the City of Brotherly Love, where we joined the Allen Iverson Roundball Classic to launch B.A.L.L. (Be A Legacy Leader) for Life.  It was our second year as the exclusive financial literacy partner. In partnership with the National Urban League, we introduced this program to the athletes and their families participating in the all-star weekend. We also created a gamified app that enables users to shoot hoops using gesture controls as they learn about credit and financial tools. Experian’s partnership with UnidosUS includes support for its Financial Empowerment Network (FEN), a program, which offers free, individualized, culturally-relevant support to Latino families. Our colleagues shared credit education resources and their journeys to financial health at the national conference. We are… financially fierce! As a proud sustaining Titanium partner of Out & Equal, we brought The House of Experian to this year’s Workplace Summit. Hundreds visited the eye-catching attraction to learn about financial and credit tools. We also led engaging conversations about money matters for the trans community and dove deep into the financial wellness of LGBTQ+ consumers and entrepreneurs. To learn more about the gaps and needs of the community, we’ve launched a financial wellness survey in partnership with Out & Equal. COMMUNITY ADVOCACY The mental health and wellness of our teammates is a priority for Experian, and it was a big topic of panel discussions at the Disability:IN Annual Conference. Empowering Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) professionals is the focus of the annual Ascend Leadership Convention. This year’s theme was “I Ascend,” encouraging participants to share how they navigate and succeed in their careers. At Essence Fest’s National Urban League Women’s Empowerment Luncheon, Victoria Crain, Experian’s vice president of global compliance and governance and co-executive sponsor of our Black Professionals Employee Resource Group, shared keynote remarks about courage and legacy. EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION   Building paths towards generational wealth took center stage at the National Urban League Annual Conference. We led a conversation with multigenerational influencers and financial experts on money matters from personal and entrepreneurial lenses, and brought the B.A.L.L. for Life experience to the community. Our support for entrepreneurship extends to the Women of Color and Capital, where we were a returning sponsor and joined a discussion about financial solutions for small business owners. HomeFree-USA closed out our summer by honoring Experian with the 2023 Trailblazer Award and the 2023 CFA Partner of the Year Award. Our innovative program, launched in 2022 in partnership with the Center for Advancement (CFA), trained 250 scholars from Historically Black Colleges and Universities to become knowledge ambassadors about credit, and share what they’ve learned in the program with peers and family. Through events like these, we aim to normalize conversations about credit and make it easier for consumers to access the tools they need for their financial wellness. We are already looking forward to Summer 2024. To learn more about how Experian supports diverse communities, check out www.experian.com/deievents.