On October 24, Juan Lopez, senior vice president of Finance Shared Services at Independence Blue Cross (Independence), shared his thoughts on diversity, inclusion, and employee resource groups (ERGs) at the 2019 ERG Summit. The event was presented by ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals For America), NABA (National Association of Black Accountants), and NAAAP Philadelphia (National Association of Asian American Professionals Philadelphia). It was held at the Free Library of Philadelphia.
During his panel, titled “Strategic D&I Planning – How ERGs Fit,” Lopez addressed a packed room of human resources managers, diversity and inclusion practitioners, ERG leaders, executives, and other professionals. Joining him were:
• Ivonne Diaz-Claisse, president and CEO, HISPA
• Andy Lee, principal, CLA Philadelphia
• Winter Washington, director of Talent and Culture, CHUBB
• Robert G. Wilson, managing director, KPMG
Lopez shared that Independence is a company where “diversity and inclusion starts at the top” and “allows D&I to be engrained in the culture.”
In addition to his position as senior vice president, Lopez serves at executive sponsor of Independence’s associate resource group Latinos con Proposito. The group’s mission is to engage the company’s Latino associates and the external Latino community through professional development, community outreach, networking opportunities, and health and wellness efforts.