Capital One Financial Corporation announced that it has been named one of the 2014 “NAFE Top Companies for Executive Women” by the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE), which honors American corporations that identify and promote successful women.
Capital One was recognized for the excellent training and coaching programs it provides leaders as well as flexible work options and an active women’s employee resource group. The company’s executive coaching program offers individualized skill development to help executives optimize performance, prepare for future assignments, and build critical leadership competencies. Additionally, executive coaching is offered at non-executive levels to high performers as a way to differentially invest in future leaders.
“At Capital One we understand the value that diversity brings to our company. Diverse backgrounds, opinions and experiences help drive us forward and we are fortunate to have talented women who are part of our success at every level – challenging convention and encouraging creativity and innovation,” said Jory Berson Chief Human Resources Officer. “Our ability to attract, develop, empower and support our female executives is essential to our continued growth and success. We are incredibly proud to be named to NAFE’s list of Top Companies for Executive Women.”
The company was also applauded for how it reaches out to the community to promote women’s leadership. In 2013, Capital One partnered with Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence to create the Women Veteran Entrepreneur Corps (WVEC), a small business training and mentorship program, geared toward women veterans who own small businesses. Also, now in its tenth year, Capital One’s Women’s Network hosts the Future Leaders Forum for Young Women—an event that invites high school students to participate in activities designed to inspire, encourage and build leadership skills.
Capital One continues to receive numerous awards for its efforts to promote diversity across the company, including being named to Diversity Inc.’s “25 Noteworthy Companies,” “Top Diversity Employers 2013” by Professional Women magazine, Working Mother’s “100 Best Companies,” and most recently as the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce’s (NGLCC) “Corporation of the Year.” Many of Capital One’s most senior women executives continue to be recognized for their leadership by organizations such as American Banker, Washington Business Journal, Computerworld, and Bank Systems and Technology.
The 2014 NAFE Top Companies application includes more than 200 questions on female representation at all levels, especially the corporate officer and profit-and-loss ranks. The vetting process includes tracking access and usage of programs and policies that promote the advancement of women as well as the training and accountability of managers in relation to the number of women who advance. In order to be eligible for the NAFE Top Companies survey, entrants must have a minimum of 1,000 employees, two women on the Board of Directors and be a public or private company. NAFE also separately names the Top 10 companies in the non-profit sector.
“The NAFE Top Companies offer environments where women have significant clout and make the decisions that affect their company’s future and its bottom line. Their female top executives lead businesses, set policy and have profit-and-loss responsibility,” said Carol Evans, CEO of NAFE and president of Working Mother Media.