Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (NYSE: WDR) is pleased to announce the following actions as it advances its position as a values-based and purpose-driven organization:
These actions are part of a broader business and culture transformation that began in 2016. The company began the journey by establishing a clear Mission Statement and Core Values. All employees participated in a Learning Map Experience focused on driving better understanding of industry dynamics and greater alignment around the company’s Corporate Strategy. In addition, the company has developed a Leadership Model called ACTIVE Leadership and has completed extensive leadership development training, including Unconscious Bias training, Situational Leadership Experience and introducing a new performance management process called ACTIVE Performance and Growth.
A key part of this cultural advancement, according to executives, is implementing practices that align to the modern, diverse workforce and dynamic financial services industries of today where flexible and agile workplace practices are required. For example, the company recently implemented year-round weekly flexible work schedules, flexible vacation, enhanced paid parental/family caregiver leave, enhanced Short Term Disability and Paid Military Leave and recently implemented a casual work attire philosophy. In addition, an initiative called Culture Connections was recently launched for employee events focused on Diversity & Inclusion, Employee Appreciation, Philanthropy, Strategy & Values and Wellness. In fact, the company just completed its first ever Employee Appreciation Week with numerous recognition events throughout the week.
“We want to ensure our efforts are very tangible and transparent, both internally and externally,” said Brent Bloss, Chief Operating Officer. “These steps are actionable and illustrate our commitment to being a values-based and purpose-driven organization moving forward. We operate in a very dynamic, ever-changing environment, and we will continue to proactively implement practices, programs and approaches that deliver on that commitment.”
About CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™
CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ is the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion within the workplace. This commitment is driven by a realization that addressing diversity and inclusion is not a competitive issue, but a societal issue. Recognizing that change starts at the executive level, more than 600 CEOs of the world’s leading companies and business organizations, are leveraging their individual and collective voices to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ aims to rally the business community to advance diversity and inclusion within the workplace by working collectively across organizations and sectors. It outlines a specific set of actions the undersigned companies will take to cultivate a trusting environment where all ideas are welcomed and employees feel comfortable and empowered to discuss diversity and inclusion. Visit ceoaction.com.
About Rock The Street, Wall Street
Rock The Street, Wall Street, founded in 2013, inspires and equips girls with skills to succeed financially throughout their lives and potentially pursue careers in finance. Girls learn about savings and investment, budgeting, the capital markets and their role in maintaining the welfare of their families and the economy, while simultaneously helping them see the real world application of the math content they learn in the classroom. Visit rockthestreetwallstreet.com.
About Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.
Through its subsidiaries, Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. has provided investment management and financial planning services to clients throughout the United States since 1937. Its subsidiaries include Ivy Investments, an asset manager and distributor of investment products to retail and institutional clients; and Waddell & Reed, Inc., a broker-dealer with nationally based independent financial advisors. For more information, visit ir.waddell.com.
IVY INVESTMENTS℠ refers to the investment management and investment advisory services offered by Ivy Investment Management Company, the financial services offered by Ivy Distributors, Inc., a FINRA member broker dealer and the distributor of IVY FUNDS® mutual funds and IVY VARIABLE INSURANCE PORTFOLIOS®, and the financial services offered by their affiliates.
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Roger Hoadley
VP, Communications
[email protected]