First American’s Focus on People

At First American, our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is not just a program – it is woven into the very fabric of our culture. We believe that our diverse customers are best served by a workforce that reflects a broad range of backgrounds and experiences. Similarly, we believe that a commitment to diversity will help us attract and retain the critical talent necessary to ensure the continued longevity of our 135+ year business. 

In 2020, we took a significant step by establishing our DEI Advisory Council, which has been instrumental in driving our DEI initiatives forward. This council laid the groundwork for embedding DEI into various aspects of our operations, ensuring it touches every corner of the organization. 

To keep perspectives fresh and innovative, we regularly refresh the council’s membership. In 2023, we welcomed a new group of employees to the council while retaining a few original members to ensure continuity. This approach allows us to not only advance specific DEI programs but also cultivate a culture where inclusivity is inherent in the many things we do. 

Progress Made Toward Pledge Goals 

Increase inclusion in your company through senior executive sponsorship of women and/or other individuals in underrepresented groups within the company 

First American continues to advance our commitment to inclusion by actively involving senior executives in the sponsorship and support of diversity, equity, and inclusion activities. The DEI Advisory Council has been instrumental in facilitating this, hosting a series of panel discussions led by senior leadership. These panels serve as vital forums where employees can engage directly with leaders, sharing perspectives that shape the overall employee experience. 

 Activities include: 

• Fireside chats: Senior executives host intimate discussions with various groups and teams that encourage open dialogue on a variety of topics, including DEI concepts. 

• “For All” Week Sponsor Roundtable: Featuring Employee Resource Group (ERG) Executive Sponsors Janette Waller, Matt McCreadie, Lisa Cornehl, and Todd McGowan, this event highlighted their motivation for becoming an Executive Sponsor, what inclusion and belonging means to them, and how employees can play a role in furthering inclusion and belonging in the workplace. 

• Innovation Panel: Moderated by Employee Growth and Development leader Andrew Foote, this panel featured a discussion with Chief Innovation Officer Paul Hurst and DEI Advisory Council members Nicki Todd and Shawna Hernandez on how diverse perspectives drive innovation. 

In addition to these panels, several senior leaders have stepped into executive sponsor roles for First American’s growing number of ERGs. These sponsors play a crucial role in aligning the ERG’s initiatives with First American’s strategic goals while also offering guidance, challenging the teams, and advocating for the value of ERGs across the enterprise. 

Current ERGs with executive sponsors include:

• DEI Advisory Council: Ken DeGiorgio, CEO 

• Ability/Disability Advocate Partnering Together (ADAPT) ERG: Sharon Wingfelder, Chief Human Resources Officer 

• Adelante Juntos ERG: Robert Karraa, Division Business Director 

• Asian Pacific Islander (API) ERG: Lisa Cornehl, Chief Legal Officer 

• Black ERG (BE): Mark Seaton, Chief Financial Officer 

• Caregivers ERG: Karen Williams, Vice President, Total Rewards 

• LGBTQ+ ERG: Janette Waller, Division President 

• Veterans ERG: Todd McGowan, Division President 

• Early Professionals Networking Group (EPNG): Matt McCreadie, Senior Vice President, Trust CEO 

• Parents ERG: Ray Machado, Chief Risk Officer 

• Women Empowered (WE) ERG: Debi Snell, Division Vice President 

Advance women to your company’s top roles to achieve gender diversity in leadership. 

First American remains steadfast in our commitment to advancing women into leadership roles. We achieve this through a variety of programs designed to build the leaders of today and tomorrow. Our focus on development continues to yield positive results, helping our leadership team reflect the diversity of our workforce, which is more than 66% women. 

Increase diversity in your company and in the industry through intentional recruiting and hiring of individuals from diverse backgrounds. 

First American continues to prioritize diversity through implementing intentional recruiting and hiring practices designed to attract individuals from diverse backgrounds. In 2023, we expanded on our existing programs with the introduction of our partnership with Cristo Rey High School and the launch of First Connections program. 

• Cristo Rey High School Partnership: As part of our commitment to building a diverse workforce, we partnered with Cristo Rey, a network of high schools serving first-generation and underserved students with rigorous college preparatory academics and professional work experience. Through their Corporate Work Study Program, students gain professional work experience by working five full days a month while earning up to 50% of their tuition costs. As a corporate partner, First American provides students with invaluable social and technical skills, confidence, and professional mentorships. This program not only supports our community but also serves as a pipeline for the next generation of diverse talent. 

• First Connections Program: Recognizing the challenges posed by hybrid and remote work environments, our 2021 Women in Leadership class identified the need for a more engaging onboarding process that effectively communicates our rich culture. In response, we launched the First Connections program in mid-2023. This enterprise-level initiative replaces a fully self-paced orientation with a more personalized experience, including a warm welcome webinar. New hires receive emails with embedded videos from our CEO and CHRO, spotlighting the core values that resonate deeply with them. Within their first three weeks, employees virtually connect with each other, explore opportunities to engage with Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and community volunteer initiatives and learn how our culture thrives across the company. 

These new initiatives in concert with our existing programs reinforce First American's dedication to increasing diversity within our organization and the industry at large.