Women rejoining the workforce
"I love it here. My team has been so supportive," said Priya Rajamony, a senior software engineer who joined Allstate last September.
She'd spent around five years out of the workforce, but thanks to Allstate's returnship program — a 16-week training and mentorship program set up to aid the transition back to full-time employment — Rajamony's return to work was a smooth transition.
"I was always passionate about technology, and it feels so good to be back in it," she said. "I did have some doubts before joining, but the training program gave me a lot of my confidence. It was great experience."
Rajamony previously worked in technology for 15 years before taking a break to care for her two children. She joined Allstate's returnship program last June and was ultimately hired on the Product Solutions team.
The returnship program isn't the only way Allstate is doing better to support working women.
The Allstate Maternity Management program at Allstate India is 18-months long and includes support during and after pregnancy, access to medical professionals and tools and mentoring for new moms transitioning back into the workplace. In March, Allstate India was named one of India's 40 Best Workplaces in Health and Wellness, thanks in part to this program.
And that's not anecdotal. There's scientific research showing that when women win, we all win – companies included. A 2019 study showed that companies with more gender diversity on executive teams were more profitable.
The future (of business) is female
The Bonfire development program is geared towards unlocking the potential in women. Since 2019, Allstate leaders and HR business partners have selected more than 350 high-potential women managers to receive training to help "build the workplace of the future."
"There were a lot of opportunities for networking and sharing with other Allstate professionals in the small group I was a part of," said Karen Delaney, engagement principal, Continuous Improvement Center of Excellence, who started Bonfire's program in spring of 2022.
"All of it gave me the push to think more deeply about my purpose and passion and what I want the next part of my life to look like."
Girls in male-dominated cybersecurity
Although the number has increased in recent years, women make up just 25% of cybersecurity jobs globally.
Since 2019, Allstate Northern Ireland has sponsored the CyberFirst Girls competition, the flagship cybersecurity competition for schools in the U.K.
The program introduces 12- and 13-year-old girls to the cybersecurity field. They compete to solve puzzles and group exercises covering cryptography, AI and logic. They can get individual and team prizes, and later in the year the finalists get together to celebrate the grand prize.
ANI's goal for the program: to bring more women into the local cybersecurity workforce.
"Northern Ireland's cyber sector is growing rapidly, but gender diversity is a real concern, and we have a responsibility to address it," said Keith Lippert, vice president and deputy chief information security officer at ANI.
And ANI just earned a Gold Diversity Mark, making it the first company in the U.K. and Ireland to earn this top distinction. Among the efforts they were recognized for: 10% growth in female leadership over the last four years and initiatives to attract and retain women.
Women entrepreneurs of the future
Increasing the number of women-owned businesses is a crucial step in bridging the equity gap.
Allstate partnered with the Women's Business Enterprise National Council to launch an incubator program at a historically Black institution, Florida A&M University. The program aims to grow the number of Black female-led businesses by exposing students to paths toward careers in insurance.
Nathalia Johnson, winner of the 2022 pitch competition and owner of Essential Foods Jamaica Ltd., is looking forward to interning with Allstate's Sourcing and Procurement Solutions team in the summer of 2023.
"This internship will be a game-changer for me," Johnson said. "I can't wait to get started. It will be interesting to learn about the supplier-business relationship from inside a business."
Financial freedom for relationship abuse survivors
The Allstate Foundation has invested more than $90 million dollars to give relationship abuse survivors the tools to achieve financial independence from their abusers.
The Foundation's Moving Ahead Curriculum prepares survivors to move from short-term safety to long-term security. It's a free program that teaches survivors how to budget, manage their debt and improve their credit.
Employee Impact Groups: where women find community
The Allstate Women's "I" Network EIG is a network of over 3,500 members with two subchapters: Allstate India and Women in Technology at Allstate.
"AWIN is all about supporting women, lifting them up, sharing experiences and helping each other to grow and succeed, "said Michele Rios, AWIN global president. Since she joined a few years ago, she's benefitted both professionally and personally.
"My network has expanded exponentially across many areas of responsibility and levels," Rios said, "and it's gratifying to be part of implementing changes in support of women throughout the enterprise."
Our Families at Allstate Matter EIG supports employees as they balance caring for family members and their professional lives. In January, FAM and AWIN co-sponsored a fireside chat with Joann S. Lublin, author of "Power Moms," and several Allstate women executives to discuss ways they navigate work and life.
Find your community
When we feel empowered and seen, we bring our best selves out into the world. Find out how Employee Impact Groups make Allstate a place to grow a career that makes you proud, in an environment that values you just as you are.
Explore Employee Impact Groups