By Ted Mathas Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer New York Life Insurance Company

At New York Life, we share a long history of protecting financial futures that dates back nearly 175 years. Generations of our financial professionals and employees have helped individuals and families from all walks of life make the choices they need to create a better tomorrow for themselves and those they love. Our commitment to being there for people who need us connects us with our past and guides our work going forward, particularly in meeting the needs of the growing number of young families in Latino communities throughout our nation. In fact, 60 percent of our new agents come from the Latino and other diverse markets we serve, and more than half of the company’s life insurance premium is generated from those markets.

As proud as I am about the financial security and peace of mind we deliver to the millions of customers who rely on us, I am equally proud of how we get the job done each day. This is a reflection of the character of everyone who works here. And it is also the reason why I am humbled and deeply appreciative of being named LATINA Style’s “Company of the Year” – it is a recognition of our people and what they stand for.

Diversity and inclusion policies, programs, and initiatives may provide the framework that supports a workplace that values and welcomes personal differences, but it is our people who bring it to life. Their willingness to show up as their authentic selves at the office – and our unwavering commitment to embrace everything that makes each of us wonderfully unique – is what opens up opportunities. Opportunities to ask new questions. Opportunities to uncover fresh insights about ourselves and our world. And opportunities to work together in a way that brings out the best in all of us.

What is most important to remember as individuals and as companies is that our commitment to inclusion and equality must be constant, not just something that gets revisited periodically or only during challenging times in our society. Words and actions always matter. None of us can ever accept viewpoints that foster prejudice or hatred against certain people because of who they are or where they come from.

I believe by exemplifying the integrity and respect we share as New York Life financial professionals and employees both inside and outside of the office, we help celebrate and advance inclusion and diversity in the communities where we work and live. I believe every company can do this. And together, I believe we can and will help strengthen our country’s resolve to get to a better place that reflects its true spirit and underlying values.