Our Commitment to Inclusion

Kimberly Mitchell is a nationally recognized leading vocal advocate for our service members, veterans, military families and Gold Star Families. Appointed to the Department of Veterans Affairs as a Senior Advisor to the Secretary, Kimberly shares about making an impact for our Veterans and their families. Employees learned about benefits and resources that are available to further support our customers.

Coach Walter Sellers, founder of the Butterfly Effect Studio for Training, spoke on the importance of having proper nutrition, exercise and mental health. Women, who are often the key caregivers in many families, can positively influence their household. Coach Sellers shared that good health is linked to improved productivity, enhanced quality of life and reduces the financial burdens on families.

David Oh, President and CEO of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia, presented on the culture, history and misconceptions of Asian Americans. This presentation focused on the importance of having cultural awareness and that increased knowledge of other cultures can positively affect how we interact with each other. Employees were encourage to continue educating themselves and engage in conversation with others about what they learned.

Andrew Fee, vice president Special Olympics PA and Gabe Davis, Special Olympics athlete and youth ambassador, presented on the Special Olympics. Gabe shared about his journey as athlete and now as a youth ambassador. They spoke about the importance of recognizing and supporting athletes with different abilities. Both speakers encouraged S&T team members to support and volunteer with the Specialist Olympics.

S&T Bank’s, Mark Kochvar, chief financial officer, moderated and sponsored a panel discussion comprised of employees who are part of the Baby Boomers generation. The panelists, Susie Bowel, Mark Kromer, Don Johnson and Anne White, discussed in depth their experiences working at S&T as well as challenges faced and contributions made by the Baby Boomer generation in the workplace.

Melanie Marie Boyer, an American and Columbian Citizen and the Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, shared in great detail, about the Hispanic Heritage and the contributions made by the Latinx community to our region and the country as a whole. She included facts and data demonstrating that Latinos lead in job creation and business creation, contrary to what is portrayed in society.

Dr. Lisa Price, professor of speech-language pathology (SLP) at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, returned to present on invisible/non-apparent disabilities. Dr. Price shared information and resources on how to support individuals with invisible disabilities in the workplace. This includes communication, environment and universal support.

Jennifer Van Wieren, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who started her own therapy practice, presented: Three Things Therapists Wish You Knew: On the Job. The presentation included topics such as managing stress, neurodiversity and the nervous system. Several resources were provided to participants on the subject of mental health and wellness.

Arden Arslanyan and Becky Wong from Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc. (OPDC) spoke about mental health and wellness. Arslanyan and Wong provided information about the benefits of having good mental health and ways to incorporate wellness intervention strategies.

During Black History Month, a guest speaker shared information about economic issues surrounding the Black and Brown community. The presentation challenged employees to identify ways to bridge the economic gap. They were also encouraged to engage with someone of a different background over a meal as a way to build relationships, create open dialogue and learn about other cultures.

Supported by the efforts of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) team and committee members, over 225 team members and leaders attended this inaugural conference. Information was shared from a variety of panelists and speakers on topics related to professional development of women in the workplace, unique challenges women face in the workplace and the importance of fostering male support.

Dr. Linda Eagle, president and co-founder of the Global Bankers Institute, spoke about the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion within our organization and communities that we serve. Dr. Eagle works to increase business results through engagement, education, communication, development, growth and enrichment of employees. At S&T, we make people our purpose every day and this webinar served as an opportunity for team members to listen and further learn the why behind our DE&I efforts. This thoughtful discussion also gave us time to reflect on what motivates us to keep moving forward in the promotion of DE&I in our culture.

The M&S Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided information on internal and external resources available to employees. Mental Health has a high impact on both personal and professional successes throughout life. Some resources included joining a book club, educational program or Employee Resource Group. Being aware and tending to our mental health leads to having better communities and work environments.

S&T Bank’s Chief Security Officer, Kevin Dodds, and the Director of Sales Strategy and Marketing, Jordyn Kemats, presented on the differences between generations. From Gen Z, Gen Y (Millennials), Gen X, Baby Boomers and Traditionalists, each generation brings its own preference towards expectations, communication, technology and fraud. They shared data on the percentage of each of the generations represented in our workforce as well as our customer base and shared resources on the Employee Assistance Program and Fraud assistance. This webinar reinforced the importance of keeping an open mind, exercising compassion and patience when interacting with individuals from different generations.

Dr. Lisa Price, professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, provided a better understanding and opportunity for dialogue surrounding the topic of invisible disabilities. Employees were able to reflect on assumptions and learn about common misconceptions that occur in this community as these disability may not be quickly noticeable. Ideas to support customers and employees with invisible disabilities were given so we can value every voice.

Dion Chavis, renowned radio professional and accomplished author, spoke on Unmasking Strength: redefining resilience in men’s mental health. The presentation offered insights in combatting stigma, navigating emotional expression and building a support system. Attendees were given education, resources and empowered to use the tools provided.