DE&I

SEI is fantastic! The overall culture of transparency and fellowship within SEI highlights the benefits of true DE&I in action. I feel connected to my peers and I have never felt marginalized. SEI’s differentiator is that we are willing to walk beyond the talk. We seem to take an Agile approach in our DE&I efforts as we constantly re-evaluate what works best for us. I find the Courageous Conversations to be a good introspective exercise. It fits perfectly like a puzzle piece that fills in the picture of our culture of transparency.

At SEI Boston, we have established multiple DEI initiatives that I am proud of, for example, I am part of our DE&I Networking Initiative, where we are creating a process to proactively identify networking events to attend in order to expand our network. But it’s not our approach that differentiates us from other organizations that have developed similar strategies, it’s our people. If you don't have the leadership support or team that genuinely sees the need for diversity, then it doesn't matter what initiatives you put in place at your organization to drive DE&I — it'll fail. What's great about SEI is that our hiring process has successfully found people that fit our culture and who can see that as we grow as a firm, the only way we can continue our success is to become more diverse.

I love SEI’s approach to DEI – our initiatives are authentic, organic, and often led by our own consultants.  This allows the office to get involved and affect change from all corners of the organization -- not just from the top down.  Initiatives like our Courageous Conversations allow the team to discuss difficult topics faced in and out of the workplace.  Our DINE events focus on smaller, casual meetups where consultants get together and discuss any DEI topic they choose and chat over good food.  These events are a safe space for everyone to share their background, their perspectives, and the challenges they face.  But, as you know, initiatives cannot be sustained if leadership is not diligent and intentional about making DEI a priority.  Our leadership team is committed to ensuring DEI values are weaved into every conversation, decision, and action to create a more equitable and inclusive place to work.

In addition to metrics around representation, DEI is about each individual’s sense of belonging within their organization. That’s where you see the impact of diversity efforts that are working: the increased creativity, connection and engagement amongst your team.

I appreciate that SEI treats DEI not as something they check off a list and it is done, but something that must be nurtured and imbedded within our culture. SEI works hard to evolve and improve our policies and approach to ensure that we are inclusive and not only attract diverse employees but also provide a sense of belonging for all. I feel that I can bring my authentic self to work and that I am valued as a whole person vs only what I can provide to the bottom line. One of my favorite initiatives is our Courageous Conversation sessions as it allows us to get to know and understand each other in a safe space. This builds empathy, trust and a sense of community, which not only leads to a healthier work environment, but also contributes to a more collaborative workplace and better results. Everyone has a seat at the table at SEI.   

I love working with people who value diverse backgrounds and experiences, raise each other up as equals, and strive to create an inclusive culture.  Change requires a willingness to challenge norms and broaden personal horizons. Our team is willing to put in the work to make us better as individuals and as a company.