Challenge
The leadership of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation – the number one clearing and settlement service to the US financial markets – wanted to significantly “move the needle” on organizational diversity and inclusion awareness and skills for all employees and managers throughout the US and the UK.

Solution
The Gregg Ward Group developed a half-day learning event featuring a custom-created comedy/drama set in a fictional financial services firm and performed by professional actors. Program included Guided Interactive Facilitation by a diversity and inclusion expert, plus an interactive session with the actors “in character” responding to questions and comments from the audience. This learning event was followed two weeks later by a half-day program for managers only which included performances of custom-created scenarios by professional actors portraying fictional employees and managers in realistic situations, training on cutting edge D&I management tools and techniques, followed by Experiential Learning sessions in which individual trainers would interact 1-on-1 with the professional actors improvising “in character” in small breakout sessions allowing the trainees to practice their new skills in a realistic, yet safe and supportive environment.

Results
The program was rolled out to all managers of DTCC in mixed groups over 50 times in a two year period. DTCC participant evaluations consistently described the program as “moving,” “effective,” “practical,” and “memorable.” Leadership reported that the needle on D&I had moved significantly.