Our DEIB strategy

We promote and prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion to create a sense of belonging (DEIB), build trust, and deliver value for our associates, partners, customers and communities.

Our people are our most important asset, and we're at our best when we embrace the diverse perspectives of those we serve. We intentionally embed DEIB throughout the business, elevating our commitment and creating accountability across the four pillars of our strategy — workforce, workplace, marketplace and community.

Our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Diversity Statement

Strategic priorities

Advancing our DEIB strategy

People Workforce

Objective:

Attract, retain and empower top talent from all walks of life and experiences to fuel our success.

Recent accomplishments:

  • 72% of participants in our company mentorship program represented gender or ethnic diversity
  • Increased diverse representation by 20% in Bread Financial’s Apprentice Program, which offers career mobility opportunities to our associates
Culture Workplace

Objective:

Promote a culture and work environment that enables all associates to be their best selves, do their best work and make a difference in the lives of others.

Recent accomplishments:

  • Launched a new Business Resource Group, New Associate Connect, to support the new associate experience
  • Business Resource Groups hosted nearly 30 company-wide events focused on professional and emotional development
  • Hosted psychological safety training for company leaders to foster a safe and inclusive work environment where associates are free to express ideas, share feedback and admit mistakes
Customers and suppliers Marketplace

Objective:

Collaborate with partners and suppliers that share our values to enable best-in-class experiences for our customers.

Recent accomplishments:

  • Aligned shared values with brand partners to build mutually beneficial DEIB initiatives, including incorporating DEIB into brand partner training
  • Developed Pride Month campaign to engage card members for brand partner Torrid
Community Partners

Objective:

Invest in programs that reduce barriers, advance equity and inclusion and deliver better outcomes for our communities.

Recent accomplishments:

  • Designated more than 40% of our community investment to diverse nonprofits that align with our equity and inclusion priorities
  • My Possibilities opened its new Employment Innovations School powered by Bread Financial in Plano, Texas, providing vocational education and training for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities
Jeff Hammonds' headshot

Message from Leadership

We gauge the impact of our diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives based on their ability to unlock our full business potential through our people, processes and practices. It’s the sense of belonging that empowers each individual to make their utmost contribution to the organization’s success.

Jeff Hammonds Vice President, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Business Resource Groups

Our associate-led Business Resource Groups (BRGs) celebrate distinct dimensions of diversity at Bread Financial while cultivating a culture of inclusion and belonging within our organization. Open to all associates, BRGs enrich the professional and cultural experience of members by offering community development, mentoring and professional development/networking opportunities, while also actively supporting business goals and our overall DEIB strategy.

BRG focus areas:

  • Talent acquisition
  • Networking
  • Mentoring
  • Community engagement
  • Professional development

Our BRGs

Asian Alliance

Asian Alliance strives to promote Asian culture and traditions and provide a social and professional network for Asian and Pacific Islander associates.

Black Leadership Associate Connection (BLAC)

BLAC is committed to fostering an environment of diversity, growth and success for African American associates.

BreadAbilities

BreadAbilities exists to advance education, support and empowerment for associates with differing visible and invisible abilities.

Family Matters

Family Matters seeks to advocate, educate and promote benefits and resources for parents and caregivers at Bread Financial.

Hispanic/Latine BRG (HLBRG)

HLBRG’s mission is to foster an inclusive environment where Hispanic/Latine associates and allies feel seen and supported.

New Associate Connect BRG

Our newest BRG strives to enrich and accelerate the knowledge, experience and connections of both new and tenured associates.

PRIDE

PRIDE promotes and supports LGBTQ+ associates and allies by fostering a safe and open environment.

Veterans BRG

Our Veterans BRG fosters cross-departmental interaction, professional development and networking among associates who are veterans, active-duty military personnel, military family members or military supporters.

Women Connect

The Women Connect BRG fosters an educational and social environment that encourages and facilitates the development, wellness and advocacy of female associates at Bread Financial.

Careers at Bread Financial

Testimonials

John Holliday-Stewart's headshot

The collective work of Bread Financial, the DEIB office and our BRGs has encouraged an inclusive environment within our organization where people from all walks of life can bond and learn about their colleagues.

John Holliday-Stewart
President of PRIDE BRG and Regional Field Engagement Manager
Melissa Noll headshot

The experiences and relationships I have gained through our DEIB and BRG initiatives at Bread Financial have had a profound impact on my professional growth and development and have been invaluable in shaping my professional journey.

Melissa Noll
President of Family Matters BRG and Senior Traffic Specialist
Damian Giammarco headshot

I’ve truly understood the impact our DEIB and BRG initiatives have made on our work environment at Bread Financial in witnessing the growth of our annual Veterans Day festivities. We’ve hosted a flag raising to celebrate the holiday for several years, but with each passing year the turnout, both in person and virtually, increases while more and more associates share positive feedback and show appreciation for our veteran associates.

Damian Giammarco
President of Veterans BRG and Senior Manager, Business Resilience
Sara Sebhatu headshot

Our DEIB and BRG efforts have cultivated a safe space for associates to be authentic while fostering new connections and relationships. When we facilitated a conversation on MLK Jr.’s 'I Have a Dream' speech, more than 150 associates joined and felt empowered to share freely and honestly — that is proof to me that DEIB is working here at Bread Financial.

Sara Sebhatu
Vice President of BLAC BRG and Specialist, Output Services

Supplier diversity

We actively support our communities by increasing our business with minority-owned suppliers as well as small businesses. As we build mutually beneficial relationships that create value for our customers, brand partners and the company, our Supplier Diversity Program ensures diverse suppliers have fair and equal opportunities to work with us while also realizing cost savings and increased flexibility.

To ensure we have access to diverse suppliers, we collaborate with local and national councils to expand our network. 

WEConnect International
Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council Logo
National Minority Supplier Development Council Logo
Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council Logo
Women's Business Enterprise National Council Logo

Businesses interested in becoming a diverse supplier with Bread Financial should register below by clicking the purple button.

To qualify as a diverse supplier, a business must have a current certification from one of the following agencies or its regional affiliate:

Diverse supplier registration

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