Bank of America: Supporting diversity through a generational lens

Deb Corner works in Core Technology Infrastructure (CTI) in Chester. She has been with the bank for over 20 years and is the co-chair of the Chester Inter Generational (IGEN) employee network.

 

IGEN is one of the bank’s employee networks which supports diversity through a generational lens, reinforces generational diversity as a necessary component to building an inclusive workforce and helps bridge gaps across generations by:

• Discussing the social, economic and political climate that has helped shape each generation
• Driving awareness of generational styles and preferences
• Exploring the characteristics and dynamics of the generations in the workplace today
• Comparing the differences and similarities across generations

Deb Corner - IGEN Co-Chair

 

How long have you been involved with IGEN Chester?

I’ve been involved for about four years, firstly as a member, I then joined the committee and for the past 20 months have been a co-chair.

 

Do you think being part of a network has developed your interpersonal skills?

Absolutely! You interact and engage with a cross-section of people and have the opportunity to hone your interpersonal skills. Although I’ve been with the bank for nearly 21 years I’ve worked in the same building on the Chester campus and for me, being part of IGEN has provided the chance to meet other teammates who are outside my line of business but also based in Chester.

 

What did the network get up to in the last 18 months?

We started 2020 with ambitious plans to hold a number of events onsite, however, due to the pandemic, we quickly pivoted to a virtual environment and hosted virtual coffee mornings to keep our members connected during this time. We also had a number of interesting speaker events, including an exploration of emerging technologies and cryptocurrency – topics which cross generational interest.

We also strengthened our partnership with The Cares Family, who are a perfect fit for IGEN, as they tackle loneliness across the generations in the UK. During these challenging times, it’s great to see that our volunteering with them has played a vital role in addressing the isolation felt by many in our communities.

 

In 2022 we launched the Generational Ambassador Program in the UK, with over 300 attendees ready to learn and connect. Participants focus on increasing their generational acumen through this 4-month curriculum.

A key insight from the kick-off session is that the generations have many similarities at their core that may not seem obvious at first blush. As an example, a common thread which came out of the different generational insights for all was ‘care’ – whether that be for siblings, their own children, elderly parents or loved ones.

My favourite:

• Food: Fish & Chips
• Vacation: Barcelona; culture and a beach!
• Book recommendation: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. Great read and very funny
• Movie: Ferris Buellers Day Off 
• Hobby: Going to the gym

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