Reimagining Retirement | Episode 4

On March 15, 2023, Bonnie Treichel, Chief Solutions Officer at Endeavor Retirement hosted the 4th episode of Reimagining Retirement focusing on mental health in the workplace. The episode highlighted two industry leaders as presenters:

• Ivana Polonijo, Chief Solutions Officer at Courageous Being
• Jessica Fox, Head of Mid-Market Consultant Relations at Nuveen Retirement Investing

The presenters addressed the intersections between mental health and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the financial services industry.

Key Takeaways

The presenters highlighted what they have learned from experts such as organizational psychologist Melissa Doman and from putting their learning into practical application. These presenters also shared key takeaways including:

Translate Good Intentions into Actionable Steps

Given the general consensus that supporting DEI and employee mental health is not only the right thing to do but is also profitable, why don’t more firms implement efforts to support DEI and mental health?

The panel unanimously agreed that when it comes to mental health and DEI, folks in the financial services industry generally say all the right things and have good intentions. But the industry still struggles to translate these good intentions into action. Jessica noted the adage that “You are what you measure and what you measure gets done.” If firms are not measuring mental health or DEI, then it is unlikely these issues will be addressed.

Ivana noted that everyone can support their own mental health by being willing to accept their human frailties and own internal struggles. When people suppress or deny these parts of themselves, it can lead to anxiety and bad outcomes. When individuals have not taken care of their inner-selves, it becomes far more difficult to show up for others.