ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.– Velera has been named to the Forbes list of America’s Best Employers for Women 2024.
Velera noted it is one of 600 companies included on the list, ranking in the top 200 of employers overall and the top 15 in the Banking and Financial Services industry.
The award is presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., the leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. America’s Best Employers for Women were identified in an independent survey from a sample of more than 150,000 women working for companies employing at least 1,000 people within the U.S. from all industry sectors.
Three Categories
According to the company, more than four-million employer evaluations are considered, based on the following three categories:
- Personal Evaluations. “Respondents were presented with a battery of statements about their current employer, in terms of topics related to Atmosphere & Development, Diversity, Image, Salary/Wage, Workplace, and Working Conditions, as well as topics women are often confronted with in the workplace: Representation & Career, Pay Equity, Discrimination, Flexibility, Family Support, and Parental Leave.”
- Public Evaluations. “Women participants were given the chance to evaluate other employers in their respective industries, or the employers of friends, acquaintances, and family members that stand out either positively or negatively.”
- Diversity Among Top Executives/Board. Index based on the percentage of women among top executives and board directors.
‘Extremely Proud’
“While Velera has evolved significantly over the past year, our team’s longstanding commitment to providing an inclusive, people-focused and supportive culture has remained constant,” President and CEO Chuck Fagan said in a statement. “We are extremely proud to be recognized for this continued commitment by being named one of America’s Best Employers for Women, and it is humbling to know we were given this recognition due in large part to responses and opinions from our own employees and associates.”
Velera said it prides itself on cultivating a diverse, equitable and inclusive community where differences are embraced and treasured. The company noted that more than 30% of Velera’s workforce is actively involved in one of its Business Resource Groups (BRGs), with its Susan Adams Gender Equality (SAGE) and InspiHer resource groups focused on fearlessly leading the change to make gender equality a reality.
‘An Honor’
“Velera proudly employs thousands of the most talented women in the credit union industry, and it is extremely gratifying – especially as a woman in a leadership role – to be given this recognition from Forbes,” Chief People Officer Cheryl Middleton Jones said in a statement. “To be listed alongside other companies that promote the advancement and success of women is truly an honor, and we look forward to continuing this focus for years to come not only at Velera, but across the credit union industry.”
In 2023, the company Velera was also named by Forbes as one of America’s Best Midsized Employers and was one of just 57 companies globally to win the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award, which recognizes the most engaged workplace cultures in the world.