WASHINGTON – American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) President and CEO Susan Neely today marked the one-year anniversary of signing the CEO Action Pledge that committed ACLI to advance economic empowerment and racial equity. 

“When I signed the pledge a year ago, it propelled ACLI’s mission to help address racial and systemic economic inequities that have plagued our country for too long. Since then, we’ve made great progress with the full support of our board and member companies.”

Every member of ACLI’s Board of Directors has signed the pledge to build more diverse and inclusive workplaces. And with the board’s unanimous approval, ACLI launched the Economic Empowerment and Racial Equity Initiative that includes concrete steps ACLI and the industry will take to support this mission.

Through the initiative, ACLI has:

• Supported federal and state proposals aimed at increasing diversity at companies;
• Partnered with the American College and other organizations on financial literacy efforts; and
• Created forums for member company chief diversity officers to learn from each other and share best practices.

ACLI also has focused efforts internally through unconscious bias training for all of its staff and monthly discussions that advance understanding of equity and inclusion. 

“These efforts are rooted in the industry’s belief that all Americans should have access to tools and resources that will help them thrive and succeed,” Neely said. “Because of the products we offer and the investments we make, life insurance companies are uniquely positioned to make a meaningful difference for racial and economic equity. 

“We’ve come a long way in a year, but we still have much to do to advance our goals and make a meaningful difference. The mission continues.”

The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) is the leading trade association driving public policy and advocacy on behalf of the life insurance industry. 90 million American families rely on the life insurance industry for financial protection and retirement security. ACLI’s member companies are dedicated to protecting consumers’ financial wellbeing through life insurance, annuities, retirement plans, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, reinsurance, and dental, vision and other supplemental benefits. ACLI’s 280 member companies represent 95 percent of industry assets in the United States.