Comerica continued to demonstrate its commitment to diversity in a number of ways in 2006, and has received considerable recognition for its efforts.
Comerica has market segmentation groups across the organization. Each group includes Comerica colleagues who are responsible for developing strategies and tactics for reaching out to African Americans, Hispanics, women, Arab and Chaldean Americans, Asian Indians, and Asian Pacific Islanders. The market segmentation groups are ably assisted by the Business Affairs Department.
Business Affairs was strengthened in 2006 with several key appointments to Senior Vice President Linda Forte’s team. Janice Tessier was named National Manager of Diversity Initiatives and provides assistance to the market segmentation groups, to help them achieve their goals and make their teams successful. Amal Berry-Brown was named Arab and Chaldean American Business Affairs Manager. Monica Martinez was named Hispanic Business Affairs Manager. The three appointees are working with colleagues across all markets in growing and strengthening relationships with segmentation group customers and prospects.
Comerica
also demonstrated its commitment to diversity through sponsorships and volunteerism
activities. For example, Comerica was one of the leading corporate fundraisers
for the National Conference for Community and Justice, or NCCJ (recently renamed
the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion) “Walk As One”
in Detroit. More than 400 Comerica colleagues participated in the walk, raising
needed funds for a program designed to help young adults recognize the need
for tolerance.
Comerica’s Service Company introduced a Masters of Diversity Awareness (MDA) Program in 2006, designed to develop understanding and appreciation of diversity throughout the division. The creative pilot program provides colleagues with learning opportunities covering various aspects of diversity, and provide tools and information to assist them in managing diversity in the workplace.
During National Diversity Month, a number of programs were successfully completed to celebrate diversity at Comerica, including a panel discussion on Asian culture with Comerica colleagues in the Western Market.
As a result of its strong commitment to diversity, Comerica received a number of honors during 2006, including the following:
| • | Comerica has been ranked #12 (up from #34 in 2005) on the DiversityInc list of the “Top 50 Companies in the United States” based on commitment to diversity. In addition, Comerica ranked #4 for its commitment to supplier diversity and #6 based on the number of women in executive positions. |
| • | BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine named Comerica to its list of the “40 Best Companies for Diversity.” |
| • | Asian Enterprise Magazine named Comerica as one of the “Top U.S. Companies for Asian-Americans,” based upon its commitment to the small-business community, as well as its contributions to the Asian Pacific American market. |
| • | Comerica was named by the Michigan Minority Business Development Council as the “2006 Corporation of the Year – Finance & Insurance Services sector,” which is the 10th time during the past 11 years that Comerica has received this honor for its commitment to using minority-owned suppliers, and helping them grow and prosper. |
| • | Chairman Ralph Babb was honored as a “Humanitarian of the Year” at the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion’s annual Humanitarian Tribute Luncheon in Detroit. |
| • | Comerica also was named as one of “Metropolitan Detroit’s 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” by the Michigan Business and Professional Association and the National Association for Business Resources. Comerica received this honor due to its commitment to work-life balance, robust diversity program and full menu of benefits for full and part-time employees, among other factors. |
In addition to its continued work with the market segmentation groups, Business Affairs in 2007 will ensure that all employees have ready access to information that will assist them in successfully achieving their business goals as they reach out to diverse customers and prospects.