A Diverse and Inclusive Workplace Strengthens Companies and Engages Talent
By Rosa Ramos-Kwok
As one of three women and the only Hispanic in a technology training class of 12 new hires, the need for diversity in the workplace was apparent from day one of my career. From that first day, I felt compelled to take a leadership role in this effort.
In fact, years later, when I first joined Bank of America, N.A., the decision hinged, in part, on the strong alignment between my passion and the company’s visible commitment to diversity and inclusion. I was confident that I would receive support as an employee and encouraged as a leader to actively advance diversity.
My company’s leaders believe that diversity and inclusion make us stronger. Reflecting the diversity of our customers is critical to our ability to serve their financial needs and being inclusive of all backgrounds and experiences makes us a more innovative company. By creating an inclusive culture where all are encouraged to contribute their authentic perspectives, our clients win with more innovative financial solutions and our teammates win knowing they’ve made a meaningful difference.
Diversity shapes my decisions—whether determining the approach to take with technology or in resolving an issue. Recently, our team brought together colleagues from many backgrounds, tenure and temperaments for input on crucial improvements to a system processing cycle. By living our commitment to inclusion, I am firmly convinced that our resulting solution was highly robust and that colleagues felt increased ownership of the solution.
I believe it is essential for those groups that are underrepresented to have visible role models, and I’m honored to serve in that capacity.
As a Latina technologist in the financial services industry, I hope to provide a glimpse of the future by mentoring professionals and engaging with college students. When a student approaches me after a college recruiting event and tells me she hadn’t realized that a Hispanic immigrant could have a career in technology and financial services is when I feel successful in my efforts.
By encouraging a student from an underrepresented group—whether Hispanic or other—to consider a career at Bank of America, the company also benefits. When one can be authentic in every aspect of her life, she is more fulfilled and productive—I know that I am as an employee. I am a stronger leader for my team and a more engaged champion and mentor in the community. I am also deeply proud that Bank of America, N.A. encourages and challenges me and all of my colleagues to bring our whole selves to work every day.
Rosa Ramos-Kwok is managing director at Bank of America and leads Shared Services Operations Technology within the Global Technology & Operations (GT&O) organization, also serving as co-chair of the Diversity and Inclusion forum within GT&O. She is a board member of Hispanic IT Executive Council (HITEC), a member of the Senior Leadership Council of NY Chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) and a member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.
