Create, nurture, and grow a culture of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access within Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

DEI Communication & Visibility

• Brought 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge to employees
• Completed “Stand Against Racism” internal campaign with online pledge and learning on structural racism, bias, and how to be an ally
• Sent internal email messages to employees from president/CEO reaffirming our commitment to DEI
• Formed employee Racial Equity book clubs
• Developed Racial Equity webpage at chooseexcellus.com/racialequity
• Employee computer “lock screen” wallpapers featured DEI messaging
• Employee stories on culture/experience shared internally and on social media i.e. Ramadan, Minority Health Month, World Autism Month
• Pronouns included in standard company email signature templates
• Held employee webinar titled “Going from Bystander to Upstander”

Employee Experience

• Measured DEI experience of our employees through internal survey
• Launched I.D.E.A. Mentoring & Career Pathing for employees of color through Advancing Diversity Mentorship Program
• New DEI policy added to employee handbook
• Adopted Juneteenth as Excellus BlueCross BlueShield corporate holiday
• Assigned learning modules related to structural racism to all employees
• Active LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group
• Gender Identity Mapping Strategy identified as key 2021 initiative, which identifies the scope of the problem and a strategy to provide a more inclusive and affirming experience for our transgender employees and members
• Shared gender transition guidelines to support employees during gender transition

Community / Vendor Experience

• Included DEI questions in annual compliance supplier survey and defined supplier inclusion beyond gender and race
• Endorsed Rochester Black Agenda Group’s declaration “Racism is a Public Health Crisis”
• Participated in PRIDE events across operating region and sponsored events
• Named “Corporate Equality Index: Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Employees” since 2014
• Presented at multiple DEI-related conferences to share and learn about best practices, successes and lessons learned
• Provided COVID-19 vaccine education and sponsorship throughout black and brown communities