Personal Development

Lehman Brothers is committed to ensuring diversity, and inclusion is a key component of the Firm's value system. Our employees, who number over twenty thousand people globally, represent a wide range of cultures, backgrounds, skills and passions. To celebrate diversity, our dynamic employee networks provide a multitude of opportunities for employees to come together in both social and business settings. These networks are fully supported by senior management at the Firm.

The value and impact of our employee networks are best illustrated by examples of the activities each has implemented:

Lehman Brothers Asian Network (LBAN) in the U.S. and LBAN-Japan Forum in Asia
In celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, LBAN hosted Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble for a performance at Lehman Brothers’ New York headquarters, and Lang Lang for a performance at Carnegie Hall. LBAN also organizes an Asian Leadership Speaker Series which is open to all employees. The LBAN Japan Forum (LBAN-JF) aims to enhance professional development and maximize the contribution of Lehman Brothers employees whose primary language is Japanese.
Lehman Brothers Disability Working Forum (LBDWF) in the U.S.and Asia
In Europe, the Disability Working Forum comprises managers who are committed to raising awareness and providing educational information about disability issues, and issues of accommodation and recruitment.

LBDWF partners with external organizations to bring programs to Lehman Brothers employees to help raise awareness about disabilities in the workplace. Speakers have included Ted Kennedy, Jr., cancer survivor and disability rights activist; Danny Heumann, vice president of the Danny Heumann Fund for Spinal Cord Research; Dana Buchman, fashion designer and mother of a child with learning disabilities; Mark Zupan,
 
“Lehman Brothers is committed to diversity, and inclusion is a key component of value system.”      
quad rugby player and featured in the film, Murderball; representatives from the National Business and Disability Council; and others.

The concept of a disability working forum originated in the U.K with the DWF, where it has achieved great success in bringing people with disabilities into the Firm for internships and full-time employment. The network has established professional relationships with organizations such as Scope (an organization that works on behalf of people with cerebral palsy), Mencap (an organization for people with learning disabilities), Prospects and Employment Opportunities.

LBDWF was launched in Asia in March 2006.
Lehman Brothers Employees and Families Network (LEAF) in Europe
An employee network aimed at providing education and support for employees who are caregivers of all ages and family situations, LEAF was launched in February 2006 with an event in London featuring Dr. Tanya Byron, host of the BBC’s “House of Tiny Tearaways.”
Lehman Brothers Gay and Lesbian Network (LBGLN) in the U.S., Europe and Asia
Lehman Brothers is one of very few major firms with a truly global gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender network. LBGLN is active in a number of office locations in the U.S., Europe and Asia, and hosts events regularly in New York, London and Tokyo.

LBGLN is a major sponsor of the Reaching Out National LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) MBA Conference, and the Out for Undergraduate Business Conference. In addition, the European network sponsors professional networking groups, including Citypink. LBGLN partners with community organizations to sponsor larger events such as Out in the City (London) and the Empire State Pride Agenda’s Equality at Work Program (New York). In Asia, LBGLN focuses on recruiting LGBT students from major Japanese universities with considerable success to date.
Lehman Brothers Multicultural Network (LBMCN) in Europe
As our newest network, LBMCN was created to embrace and enrich the cultural fabric of the Firm. More specifically, the mission is to foster the hiring, retention and advancement of individuals from African American and minority ethnic backgrounds by bringing together employees in an all-inclusive forum where they can share ideas, experiences and knowledge.
Lehman Employees of African Descent (LEAD) in the U.S.
LEAD has hosted prominent speakers such as Herman Edwards, former head coach of the New York Jets, and General Colin L. Powell, United States Army (Ret.), former United States Secretary of State. LEAD frequently partners with other employee networks or divisions to present special programming.

LEAD works with local and national organizations, including: Big Brothers and Big Sisters of New York City, Mothers Off Duty, All Stars Project, the Higher Aims project of the Foundation of Westchester Clubmen, Society of Security Analysts, Movies for Kids at the Apollo Theater, United Negro College Fund and A Better Chance.
The Latin American Council (TLAC) in the U.S.
TLAC has hosted prominent speakers such as renowned producer, author, screenwriter and activist Esmeralda Santiago, and United States Senator Mel Martinez. TLAC has also organized a wide range of events such as Cinco de Mayo celebrations, a Dominicans on Wall Street panel, a dinner for the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration featuring award-winning musician Jose Feliciano.

In coordination with Lehman Brothers business units, TLAC established memberships with two influential Hispanic organizations: The Americas Society and The New American Alliance (NAA). During 2006, TLAC launched an initiative designed to broaden our activities to include employees of Hispanic and Latin American descent throughout our worldwide offices.
Women’s Initiatives Leading Lehman (WILL) in the U.S., Europe and Asia
WILL has hosted over 300 events since its inception in 2002, featuring a broad range of topics and providing opportunities for women to network, share experiences and learn from each other. Speakers have included prominent women such as Andrea Jung, Avon Products’ chairman and chief executive officer; Mary Robinson, first female president of Ireland and the United Nations high commissioner for Human Rights; Nicola Horlick, founder and chief executive of Bramdean; author Allison Pearson; Marsha Johnson Evans, former chief executive officer of The American Red Cross and Lehman Brothers board member; Baroness Virginia Bottomley; and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, senior advisor at Lehman Brothers, former deputy assistant attorney general of the United States and former lieutenant governor of Maryland, the first woman to hold that position.

WILL is active in branch offices across the U.S. and has been expanding globally, with the European chapter launched in 2004 and Hong Kong, Singapore and Mumbai branches launching in 2006.


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