Our Commitment to Equity, Inclusion and Diversity
We believe firms perform better for clients and stakeholders when there is a diverse population, and a true equitable and inclusive environment. Diversity alone is not enough.
BUILDING AN EQUITABLE CULTURE
Equity at its core is about fairness; it is about doing different things for different people. As an employee-owned firm, we understand that the success of each of our colleagues directly impacts the success of our clients and the firm. We focus on providing every employee with opportunities to develop as well as feel empowered and supported. This requires an intentional and thoughtful process that seeks to understand specific needs and individual backgrounds.
Andy Johnson, Senior Diversity & Inclusion Officer
Former Head of Investment Grade Fixed Income
Former Head of Investment Grade Fixed Income
“I have long believed—and experienced firsthand in running our Investment Grade franchise—that having a diversity of perspectives leads to better decision making, and in turn, better outcomes for our clients and our people.”
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George Walker, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
“Diversity is fundamental to our business. We approach and measure it with the same accountability, transparency and rigor as we do with investment performance and client retention. As employee owners, our firm’s efforts around Equity and Inclusion deeply reflect the belief system and values of our people.”
Equity, Inclusion and Diversity (EID) Leadership at Neuberger Berman
We take a broad, collective effort that engages our senior business leaders and our employees, who are passionate about making a difference.
Diversity Council
Chaired by Andy Johnson, our Diversity Council is a sub-committee of the firm’s Operating Committee (a group of 30+ senior leaders who provide advice on the day-to-day activities of Neuberger Berman). The Council helps to set and drive the firm’s EID strategy, and includes global representation across our investment, client coverage and operating platforms.
Independent Board Representation
Board Member, NB Group Board of DirectorsA member of the NB Group Board of Directors, Sharon also provides strategic guidance to the firm’s senior leadership, as well as the Diversity Council, on our EID efforts. Throughout her career, Sharon has been a diversity champion, including during her time as a partner at Latham & Watkins LLP (co-chair of the Diversity Committee) and currently as part of the leadership team of Seneca Women.
Employee Resource Group Leaders
Our ERG Leaders provide an essential voice to Andy Johnson, senior leadership and our EID team, serving as a sounding board on important issues and initiatives. Broadly, our ERGs align their programming—in many cases through collaborative opportunities—to help further the firm’s EID efforts and more deeply engage our people.
A DEFINED FRAMEWORK REINFORCES OUR COMMITMENT
For more than 80 years, a diversity of experiences, perspectives and backgrounds has been fundamental to who we are. Our approach is focused on continuing and growing that impact at all levels of the firm, from how we view governance, to the breadth of initiatives that fit our employees’ distinct needs.
Accountability through Measurement
Our proprietary NB Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Index drives greater transparency into our progress, and challenges us to be more broadly accountable. We aim to set a higher standard with a goal to be a materially different firm over time that better reflects society and the rich diversity of our clients.
Employee Metrics
GLOBAL
STAFF DIVERSITY (WOMEN%)
- Total staff
- Senior staff
- New hires(% Women, three-year average)
GLOBAL
STAFF DIVERSITY (WOMEN%)
- Total staff
- Senior staff
- New hires(% Women, three-year average)
GLOBAL
STAFF DIVERSITY (WOMEN%)
- Total staff
- Senior staff
- New hires(% Women, three-year average)
View our latest ESG Annual Report for more details on employee metrics
DOWNLOAD PDF
Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Affiliations
Participating in surveys and knowledge shares drives further accountability, enabling us to benchmark, and ultimately, improve our equity, inclusion, and diversity efforts, as well as share best practices more broadly. We are proud to participate in the following partnerships:
Neuberger Berman is a signatory of CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion, the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion within the workplace.
Neuberger Berman was proud to receive a score of 100 and earn the designation as one of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality as part of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2021 Corporate Equality Index, the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality.
Neuberger Berman was named a 2021 Diversity Leader by the Financial Times in the publication’s second annual ranking of European Diversity Leaders. In all, more than 15,000 companies participated in the 2020 survey, with only 850 earning the recognition of Diversity Leader.
Neuberger Berman regularly participates in the McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.Org “Women in the Workplace” study in an effort to share our employee data and benchmark our efforts to progress towards gender equality.
Neuberger Berman is a signatory of Institutional Limited Partners Association (ILPA) Diversity in Action Initiative, which seeks to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the private equity industry.
Neuberger Berman is a signatory of the United National Global Compact and committed to reporting and advancing progress across key 10 principles, including human rights and labor.
As a participant in the CFA Institute Diversity and Inclusion Experimental Partners Program, Neuberger Berman works alongside its peers to increase industry representation of minorities across levels and functions.
For the sixth time in seven years, Neuberger Berman placed second in Pensions & Investments “Best Places to Work in Money Management" rankings for 2020 among firms with 1000 or more employees.
INVESTING IN OUR PEOPLE
We seek an environment where our people can be their best selves, and realize their professional and personal goals. Our EID efforts in many ways are an organic part of our culture.
Empowering
Having a voice as well as the ability and autonomy to contribute materially to the firm
Employee Innovation
Entrepreneurialism, collaboration and innovation are deeply engrained in our Business Principles. We see that reflected across our investment platform, where a number of transformative, employee-driven concepts have evolved into important, client-focused strategies. This includes Neuberger Berman Opportunistic Capital Solutions (provides investors to access "quality growth" companies through SPACs).
Developing
Having the resources, tools and experiences to grow professionally and personally
Non-Traditional Leadership Opportunities
Leadership is learned, in part, from experience—and we look to provide our people with opportunities to gain leadership experience and exposure both in and outside of their everyday roles. For the latter, this can include serving as a team captain in Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, playing an active role on an employee resource group steering committee, or sitting on an Advancement Committee, among many available opportunities.
Supporting
Having the opportunity to be yourself, connect within NB and live a balanced life
Employee Investment Solutions
We have a strong commitment to our employees’ personal and financial wellness. Through our Employee Investment Solutions program, we strive to help all of our employees navigate their financial journey. With a focus on education, personalized advice and preferred access to our broad investment platform, EIS engages all employees—whether they are a seasoned investor or at the start of their journey—to understand their unique needs and find the solutions they need to realize their financial goals.
EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUPS
NB Women’s Forum
The NB Women’s Forum spotlights and celebrates our diverse talent, as well as creates opportunities for various generations of women to share advice and discuss the unique workplace challenges they face. Our mission is to help recruit, retain and develop women across the organization, recognizing that Neuberger Berman is a place where strong female professionals thrive.
NB Pride
NB Pride provides the firm’s LGBTQ employees and allies a forum for networking with colleagues across the firm and seek ways to enhance the firm’s engagement with and support of the LGBTQ community. Our main focus areas include education, philanthropy, community and mentorship.
NB Black Experience
NBE is focused on creating an inclusive and equitable culture aimed at supplying diverse talent with the necessary skills, exposure and opportunities to reach their full potential. We hope to improve the quality of work life for people of color, enhance retention of employees of color and attract a more diverse workforce to the firm.
NB APPEAL
NB APPEAL advocates for empowerment and provides opportunities for professional development, community engagement and the celebration of diversity for our Asian colleagues. Our goal is to curate a network that builds employee relationships across the firm, helps retain and engage current employees, and promotes Asian cultural awareness and equity.
NB Veterans Group
The NB Veterans Group’s mission is to create a networking platform for its members, to build support and camaraderie, as well as be a vehicle for outreach and volunteer activities with a focus on veterans' affairs.
NextGenNetwork
NextGen is a forum for emerging professionals and their advocates at Neuberger Berman. It focuses on providing opportunities to collaborate among peers and to exchange knowledge with experienced colleagues across the firm. These development and enrichment opportunities include regular networking sessions, informal discussions on targeted topics, social events and volunteer activities.
NeuParents
NeuParents provides our NB parents with the support—both through resources and networking—to help manage work responsibilities while being fully committed to something even more important: family and parenthood.
EMPLOYEE INTEREST GROUPS
Team Charity Crafters
Team Charity Crafters meets weekly to work on knitting or crochet projects to benefit one of our key community partners: Association to Benefit Children.
NB Band The Alpha Project
With talented singers and musicians from across our Investment, Client Coverage and Operating platforms, the Alpha Project comes together to play an annual concert each fall for employees and alumni, keeping the tradition of the NB Band, which first played more than 30 years ago, alive.
NB Artist Community
Neuberger Berman has a deep and rich history with the arts, including through engaging our own employees. Our Employee Art Exhibits, as well as special shows (recently, reflections on COVID-19), bring together our community of artists to help reinforce and tell important stories, whether about the firm or broader society, and let us celebrate the talents of our people.
NB Sports
Softball, basketball, tennis, soccer and volleyball teams, as well as the NB Running Club, provide an opportunity to stay fit, get some healthy competition and deepen relationships with colleagues.
Community
Through our philanthropic activities, Neuberger Berman seeks to positively impact our community, employees and clients. Our programs leverage the firm's resources, from our people (employee expertise, volunteerism and non-profit board service) to the financial (including the Neuberger Berman Foundation and corporate grants)—and it is at this intersection of leadership, expertise, funding and engagement where our impact is greatest.
While we broadly support the causes most important to our people, the Neuberger Berman Foundation is committed to helping underserved children and youth achieve their potential through educational enrichment and support programs that promote academic success, independence and economic sustainability.
Partnerships
We continue to build strong relationships with impactful organizations both at the firm level and on a personal level, where many of our employees are deeply engaged with non-profits, including as board members.
Firm Partnerships
Employee Service