Pillar Awards: Recipients
2008 Pillar Award Recipients
Aon Corporation: Empowering women is a way of life.
Recognizing the need to create a vibrant future talent pool, Aon Corporation introduced the Aon Leadership Model in 2007. The model is built on a commitment to inclusion and an initiative to create opportunities for female employees that began in the Aon West Michigan office in 1999. Through defined professional development and mentoring initiatives, the Aon West Michigan office has set an industry standard for women in leadership roles. Of client facing roles in the Aon West Michigan office, 15 of the 22 positions are fulfilled by women. Additionally, the top two leadership positions in the local office are held by women. Under the current leadership, the Grand Rapids office has its increased sales by 450% and its employee headcount by over 200%. In 2005, Aon West Michigan was awarded the coveted Aon Pinnacle Award, given to the highest performing office.
Fifth Third Bank: Networking and career development are keys to success.
Established approximately five years ago, the Fifth Third Women’s Network is dedicated to the development and service of women working at the bank. Boasting more than 200 members, the Women’s Network offers a variety of events and programs throughout the year to promote retention and advancement of a first-class talent pool of women employed with the company. Programs offered through the Women’s Network include leadership development, work/life balance, higher education and retirement planning. The Women’s Network is strongly supported by the President & CEO of Fifth Third Bank of Western Michigan, Michelle Van Dyke who understands the complicated task of balancing work and home life. This commitment from the CEO has been key to the success and growth of the local Women’s Network. The Network offers opportunities for mentoring relationships, both with peers and those at a more senior level, which is essential to career advancement and success.
Miller Johnson: Words are just words unless you put them into action.
Miller Johnson is a firm that “walks the talk” when it comes to providing flexible work arrangements for its attorneys, legal assistants and support staff. As a trail blazer, Miller Johnson has provided flexible work arrangements to its support staff for over a quarter of a century. This flexibility was extended to its attorneys more than 15 years ago, at a time when such practice was almost unheard of in the legal community. While providing flexible scheduling has been a key strategy to retain high talent female employees, recently two male attorneys have taken advantage of the ability to work a reduced schedule. Choosing to work a reduced or flexible work arrangement does not short change the employee. Part time staff receive the same benefits as full time staff, including vacation/personal days, holiday pay, parking subsidy, bereavement leave, longevity bonus, tuition reimbursement and health insurance coverage. Attorneys who choose a reduced schedule are maintained on track for equity partnership.
