Gary Spiess
General Counsel
At FleetBoston Financial Corporation diversity is a core value that is driven consistently from the top — it flows from its business operations all the way to the individuals who comprise its workforce.
The Fleet law office, headed by General Counsel Gary Spiess, is a recognized leader for its diversity efforts within the corporation. Spiess advocates diversity as more than just a business or departmental objective, instead showing a deep, personal commitment to diversity. He was instrumental in formulating a formal diversity plan for all outside counsel hired by Fleet, and was responsible for getting Fleet to be the first corporate law office to join the Boston Law Group.
Additionally, Spiess’ department has one of Fleet’s most active and innovative diversity leadership teams in the corporation. The department has a formal program to increase and maintain the number of women and minorities on the team, and all department members are evaluated on their diversity awareness and initiatives toward supporting diversity.
Spiess has also served on Fleet’s Corporate Diversity Council, is an active member and leader of various community organizations that promote diversity, and has created and supported internal law office programs to promote diversity.
In 2002, the percentage of women at executive job-level grades increased, as did the percentage of minorities at every exempt level. Also in 2002, over 3,000 Fleet employees participated in formal diversity training. Fleet realizes that its diversity efforts span many boundaries and they have much to be proud of — in fact, Fleet has been recognized by many outside organizations.
Many companies describe their diversity goals as “strategic,” but few achieve it. Fleet’s internal diversity trends are encouraging and continue to improve with each passing year. Working Mother named the company as one of the “100 best companies for working mothers to work; Essence named it “as an outstanding company for black women to work; the National Black MBA Association listed the company as a “top 10 company for minorities to work; Latina Style highlighted the company as a “top 50 company to work for Latinas; the Gay Financial Network coined it as a “top 50 gay-friendly company to work; and the National Business and Disability Council named Fleet its “Employer of the Year.”
Fleet utilizes a number of programs to help build a diverse organization that values awareness, tolerance, and understanding across individual and group differences. A Corporate Diversity Council sets the vision for the company, defines diversity, and helps guide corporate-wide diversity strategies and goals.
In addition, diversity leadership teams exist at every major line of business. Employee-managed diversity resource groups have been established for Asians; African-Americans; people with disabilities; gay, lesbian and bisexual employees; Latinos; and women.
Fleet’s corporate commitment to diversity and its law department’s strong programs and policies make Fleet a diversity leader.
From the November/December 2003 issue of Diversity & The Bar®