Worcester Business Journal

22 Worcester Business Journal | September 13, 2021 | wbjournal.com F O C U S D I V E R S I T Y & I N C L U S I O N Member FDIC Rev. 8/21 Even you, duct tape. All Wallets Welcome Here berkshirebank.com H ow does your Company promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)? This year, our CEO, Nitin Mhatre, announced Berkshire's Exciting Strategic Transformation (BEST) Plan, emphasizing the Bank's commitment as a purpose-driven community- dedicated bank. Integral to this transformation is strengthening the continuation of Berkshire's diversity, equity, and inclusion work through the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. This committee provides the visibility, support, and accountability required to continue our progress in the DEI space. At Berkshire, Women represent 68% of the workforce and encumber 53% of management positions; 45% are senior executive management. We have more work to do in the representation of people of color in the workforce. We are currently at 14% representation in the workforce, 9% in management roles, and the representation on the Board is currently at 15%. Recent efforts have included enhancing our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Our ERGs provide safe spaces for critical conversations and increase belonging for all in the organization. The Bank also sponsors many programs, educational forums, and activities to engage all communities. We provide grant support through our Foundation to non-profit organizations in the Worcester Area that advance racial and social justice. Beyond our community and workforce programming, Berkshire harnesses its products and services to support the unbanked and underbanked in communities. How else do you measure success with your equity and inclusion programs? One of the key measures we use relates to our continued engagement in the community. For example, Berkshire Bank has established a Regional Advisory Council in the Worcester area, led by Regional President Paul Kelly. It is designed to pull together key leaders in the community to share their perspectives and insights on ways to engage and better support the region's diversity. We also provide quality products that support financial well-being and achieving a workforce more reflective of the community we serve. We look to industry peers to ensure alignment with best practices and independent entities to measure progress. Where would you like your Company to be five years from now when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion? In five years, we would like to see substantive progress in diversity at all levels of the organization; continued engagement with the Employee Resource Groups – building a sense of community that drives inclusion and belonging; greater diverse representation at the leadership level. We will also pursue partnerships with a meaningful, tangible impact among our customers, shareholders, employees, stakeholders, and communities. BERKSHIRE BANK: Q&A with Angela S. Dixon, Chief Diversity Officer, Berkshire Bank W Angela Dixon Special Sponsored Section

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