Employee Resource Groups
Employee leadership drives visibility, engagement, and accountability.
ERG Committee Engagement
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are voluntary, employee-led groups that work together to advance Flagstar Bank’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by fostering leadership and networking opportunities, helping our employees build successful careers at the bank, increasing awareness, and engaging in community involvement. In alignment with Flagstar’s DE&I objectives, ERGs are collaborative and have an impact on our workforce, cultural awareness, community connectivity, and business. Ranging in size from 86 to 359 members, they represent veterans, women, people with disabilities, LGBTQ, African and African Americans, Asian Indians, Latinx, Native Americans, and young professionals.
Learn more about some of our ERG's recent activities.
Mission
To provide an environment for increased professional exposure, career development, and community outreach in support of causes impacting the stakeholders of African heritage. We are emboldened to actively develop and connect diverse talent within the company and the greater community.
2021 highlights
Hosted Black History Month event: Reducing Economic Wealth Gap, featuring two powerful guest speakers:
- Dwan Dandridge, CEO of Black Leaders Detroit, a nonprofit that provides ongoing financial support to the Black entrepreneurial community
- Natasha Beautiful Thought, a spoken soul poet who offered inspirational messages about realizing personal dreams, overcoming obstacles, and seizing opportunities
Provided Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth educational resources
Launched Wealth Club, a financial planning series
Mission
To provide an empowering and safe environment for all its members so that they can achieve their full career potential through professional development and mentoring opportunities. To actively work on creating exposure for Flagstar Bank in our community through outreach programs. To create an environment for sharing the culture and values of the Asian Indian community across the bank.
2021 highlights
Raised funds for COVID-19 relief for the Michigan Indian-American Community Services in conjunction with other ERGs and the Flagstar Foundation
Created a regular “Weekly Wisdom” email for the INDUS community
Hosted International Yoga Day with Anjali Vale and Living Well Through COVID times with Dr. Puri
Mission
To form a cohesive team with the goal of crafting an inclusive environment which supports individuals with disabilities. We also strive to increase employee awareness and facilitate community outreach in order to maximize the effect of these efforts.
2021 highlights
Hosted a workshop facilitated by Amy Hayes and Angie Blanchard, occupational therapists from Michigan Rehabilitative Services
Hosted “Lessons on Ability from my Deafblind Dog” webinar with Hayden Kristal, a Deaf, bisexual, Jewish, queer activist and stand-up comedian
Mission
To actively promote Hispanic and Latino cultural awareness through educational and networking events for members and community participants and serve as a driving force of development.
2021 highlights
Hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month discussion about Latinas in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). The panel highlighted the group’s significant strides and the importance of an increased Latina presence in STEM careers to match other demographics
Highlighted holidays from multiple Hispanic/LatinX countries in Daily Cafecitos
Promoted Hispanic Heritage Month through email and daily LinkedIn posts
Mission
Our members and its supporters will create a unified team to address a list of common goals based around current issues impacting employees and our communities.
2021 highlights
Celebrated Pride Month with several special events, including:
- A virtual event featuring LGBTQ celebrity chef Jonathan Peregrino, who shared his journey along with his top cookie-baking tips
- A member-led intersectionality panel discussion about identity and being a part of the LGBTQ community
- A decade-by-decade LGBTQ history lesson, led by Jonathan D. Katz, the University of Pennsylvania’s interim director of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies
Mission
To actively promote Native American cultural and heritage awareness through educational and networking events for members and community participants and serve as a resource for building relationships and business opportunities with Native American Nations.
2021 highlights
Celebrated Native American Heritage Month with tribe members Nicole Holloway and Rhonda Purcell of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, who presented Native American language, culture, and traditions
Moderated and participated in a panel discussion at the Michigan Diversity Council Native American Summit, which Flagstar supported financially as a title sponsor
Mission
Form a cohesive team of Flagstar Veterans and supporters to identify and address issues facing Veterans and service members of the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
2021 highlights
Hosted a listening session and open discussion during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan to unite and support each other
Partnered with an internal Flagstar team to investigate opportunities to increase benefits for active-duty spouses and reserve servicemembers
Celebrated Veterans Day with a three-part series about post-World War II conflicts; a special presentation from retired Army Sergeant Rick Yarosh, who spoke about being grateful for a life-changing tragedy in Iraq; and a panel discussion about how spouses and other family members support veterans
Mission
To craft an inclusive environment that supports and encourages women to advance their skills and leadership potential by providing professional development through mentorship, collaboration, and discussion. The Women's ERG provides a safe, open community to encourage relationships with other colleagues who share like-minded interests, aspirations, and experiences.
2021 highlights
Celebrated Women’s History Month with a panel discussion featuring Flagstar executive leadership
Sponsored Vista Maria’s Dolly Drive to support the organization’s social services, which include mental health, foster care and adoption, survivors of human trafficking, and child welfare advocacy
Mission
To provide growth opportunities for tomorrow’s leaders and encourage organizational understanding within a modern multigenerational workforce.
Understanding the Generational Divide and Closing the Gaps
2021 highlights
Hosted Darlene King, Michigan Diversity Council executive director, and Megan Belfinger, Flagstar chief audit officer, to provide insights about understanding the generational divide and how we can bridge the gaps
Connected Flagstar employees and executives through our Breakfast with a Side of Business series
Hosted companywide “Unleash Your Meeting Potential,” with author and meeting productivity expert Natalie Birkiw-Scenna
Mission
Flagstar’s three DE&I Committees extend the reach and impact of our commitment beyond our corporate offices. The Indiana, West Michigan, and Jackson (Michigan) committees engage in activities to raise awareness and better support the people who live in these communities.
Jackson, Michigan, DE&I committee
Hosted Dr. Bob Powell and Sarah Sabin of Family Service and Children’s Aid, who spoke about the effects of stress and trauma on the body and techniques to identify and alleviate stress
West Michigan DE&I committee
Hosted a cyber security event focusing on small businesses
Networked with West Michigan Chambers to highlight lending products available to minority-owned small businesses
Indiana DE&I committee
Hosted a companywide “Let’s Talk About It” presentation about the Burmese community in Fort Wayne, Indiana, featuring Nyein Chan, Catholic Charities Diocese director of refugee and immigration services, and Flagstar relationship bankers Patricia Barry and Chit Chit Thinzar,
who help new immigrants adjust to the community
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