Prudential Financial: Prioritizing diversity in the boardroom

“Our culture is our oxygen. It makes it possible for us to achieve things that are difficult for other companies to replicate.” This is a point often made by Prudential Financial Chairman and CEO John Strangfeld, who considers diversity to be both a differentiator and an essential component of the company’s culture. He also understands that the path to a collaborative, inclusive culture starts at the top. To ensure this philosophy extends well beyond the C-suite, Strangfeld has surrounded himself with a leadership team who understands the power and the wisdom of teamwork and diversity.

Prudential’s commitment to diversity is also evident in its Board of Directors. A full two-thirds of Prudential’s board is diverse, and 80 percent of its non-employee directors represent diverse groups. This degree of diversification at the board level — where there is more often a dearth — is deliberate. For a company working to meet the needs of a diverse customer base, Prudential sees having a variety of talent and experience in the boardroom as a competitive advantage, leading to better decisions and stronger performance.