AXA Investment Managers launches global LGBT+ employee resource group

Paris-based AXA Investment Managers has launched an LGBT+ Employee Resource Group (ERG), I aM Proud, that will focus on the intersectional nature of a global, diverse workforce across 17 offices – to create a workplace where everyone, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity, can bring their whole selves to work. I aM Proud is led by co-chairs, Rob Neiffer and Kyle Woolley. Both Rob and Kyle work out of the New York City offices.

In early 2023, the formation started by organizing calls and reaching out to employees to hear what they would want from the Employee Resource Group. One of the common themes heard was the desire to feel as though you can come to work as your true, authentic, queer self – not simply feeling as if people are “okay” with you being part of the LGBT+ community but feeling like you are accepted and can walk through the office every morning the same way any straight or cis-gendered employee can. Visibility and Authenticity quickly became overarching themes for the ERG.

Visibility and Authenticity are dependent on an intersectional approach. If the goal is that everyone, regardless of their sexuality and gender identity can bring their whole selves to work, we need to recognise the intersectional, geographical and contextual challenges in a global organization that members face. The LGBTQ+ community is diverse, and there are many ways where intersectionality becomes crucial to understanding the lived experiences of our members. The intersectional approach is also embedded at AXA IM, in the way that the global parent policy is defined to be gender-neutral and inclusive of LGBTQ+ people.

The ERG firmly believes in the concept of power in numbers and perspectives, and this has been a top priority. Because of this, we have begun creating a chapter network in our largest office, Paris, where Marcus Zeppone stepped forward as a local ambassador for I aM Proud. This is only one step, and we believe that growing our engagement in multiple geographies will be key to work intersectionally.

The actions and initiatives of the ERG are to be broad and address intersectional LGBTQ+ topics. In 2023, I aM Proud organized the first two events:

• The NYC office went to a local organization, God’s Love We Deliver, which historically prepared meals and services for people suffering from HIV/AIDS – the group now serves a wide range of people
• The second event was attending a Drag Show to demonstrate the firm’s commitment to supporting the Drag community as the community has come under increased attack in recent years

In the Fall of 2023, the ERG started a senior management & leadership interview series across all AXA entities to highlight voices within leadership positions and their support of the community. The purpose of this interview series is to highlight inspiring role models and their support to the community. The series started with the Chief Investment Officer of an AXA entity, Matthieu Bonte, who is part of the community, very involved in the LGBT+ organization of his entity and is highly keen to increase collaboration between AXA entities. This interview was then posted on the AXA IM employee internal social media page.

When speaking with Matthieu, he talked about his journey of adoption in France, which is not as easy as people may think. After then sharing this story with an AXA IM employee, the employee asked if he could be connected to Matthieu as he and his partner are looking to take the first steps in adopting children in France. Matthieu happily accepted and the two of them connected on the topic. This exemplified the importance of this group and the impact it is already having.

For 2024, the ERG will continue to work intersectionally by addressing and including as many nuanced perspectives as possible in the LGBTQ+ community. To amplify the voices of the trans and non-binary community, we recently organised a Fireside Chat on Trans and Non-binary Inclusion with the UK-based organization, Global Butterflies. More events are planned around IDAHOBIT, National Coming Out Day and Transgender Awareness Week.

I aM Proud is particularly focused around the intersection of LGBTQ+ and age. AXA IM has partnered with a US-based organization called Sage that looks out for LGBTQ+ elders, particularly in regard to housing, meal services and educational resources. In May, we will visit Sage in New York and prepare a meal service, and in June SAGE + AXA IM will co-host an event focussed on LGBTQ+ Senior Housing.

The ERG is very keen on connecting with members of the community, other company ERGs, and LGBT+ organizations. Please feel free to connect with the AXA IM LGBTQ+ ERG at [email protected]