Published Date: 08/24/2006

The ING African-American Network Leadership Forum on Friday, Aug. 11, featured guest speaker Stafford Thompson, president of the International Association of Black Actuaries. IABA is a Diverse Professional Organization (DPO) with whom ING is partnering as we seek to recruit ethnically diverse employees. The forum, titled “On Whose Shoulders Shall I Stand?” originated in Hartford, with West Chester joining in via video conference.

“The forum was a great success,” said Bev Benson, national chair for the ING African-American Network. “It provided an interactive exchange on such topics as mentoring, personal development and promoting yourself.”

“The hard work and dedication of the pioneers of yesterday have enabled us to get to where we are today.”

“We are in need of diversity in the actuarial field. There are currently only 109 fully certified African-American actuaries around the world.”

“Mentoring is key to an organization’s success. The organizations that will be the best and retain the best are the organizations that will help employees answer the question: ‘On whose shoulders shall I stand?’ Mentoring programs are less expensive than employee-replacement costs. Establishing a support system is vital and it must be encouraged … We have a responsibility to those who will follow … Push people to be the best they can be.”

“Company culture is determined by managers.”

“To advance within an organization, we must know our competencies and where those competencies fit within an organization.”

“What we teach our children can alter who they will become in the future. Help them discover their talents. Refrain from telling children ‘math is hard.’ Create an environment that fosters good math skills.”