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Questions

Answers wi th Fre d d i e Mac


&
MAC Week Home Dedication

What D&I innovations has Freddie Mac


planned for 2010?
In 2010, one of our primary objectives is to
increase diversity representation in the com-
pany’s officer and senior director ranks. This
objective will be met by continuing to focus
on ensuring that all interview slates are diverse,
and seeing that current senior management
supports diverse career events and network-
ing opportunities. Additionally, the Executive
Diversity Council, which is led by our CEO Ed
Haldeman, will be focused on ensuring we meet
this objective.

Most company leaders say diversity drives


business results. What part did diversity
and inclusion play in your company’s
2009 growth? Pictured (l-r) at Freddie Mac’s 2009 MAC
Freddie Mac’s seven dynamic Employee Week Home Dedication Event are new
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is
Network Groups (ENGs) work tirelessly to homeowners Nicole Smith and Kolowole
essential to the success of the company and its Marville and their daughter with Freddie
ensure that all of our employees understand and
critical mission to stabilize the housing market Mac CEO Ed Haldeman.
appreciate the various cultures in the workplace.
and support the nation’s economic recovery.
The network groups host a variety of monthly
We recognize that attracting, retaining, and
and bi-monthly events such as DNA testing
harnessing top talent from diverse backgrounds
to discover one’s African Heritage; a recent
and cultivating a spirit of inclusion within our Marketplace
event with Karem Dale, Special Assistant to
workforce is essential to successfully fulfilling Freddie Mac continues to be recognized in the
the President for Disability Policy; leadership
this mission and serving our customers, business marketplace as an ‘Employer of Choice’ in sev-
panels; and career coaching, just to name a few.
partners, and our diverse communities. eral ‘best places’ lists including Hispanic Business
Throughout the year, more than a quarter of
Last year, we took important steps to in- Top 60 Diversity Elite Companies, Working
our employees actively participate in network-
crease diversity representation within our work- Mother 100 Best Companies for Working
sponsored events.
force and among our senior leadership, foster Mothers, Black Enterprise Top 40 Companies
This year, our new CEO Ed Haldeman
a more inclusive culture, and better serve our for Diversity, Latina Style 50 Best Companies
kicked off events sponsored by the ARISE
diverse communities. Some of our diversity- for Latinas, and Black Collegian Top 100 U.S.
and ASIAN Employee Network Groups, and
related successes include: Employers, to name a few.
hosted last year’s Employee Network Group
Workplace/Culture Recognition Luncheon. In addition, many of our executives have
Freddie Mac is truly a diverse workplace: with We also encourage our employees to par- received individual recognition, including our
almost 50 percent of our population female and ticipate in professional development programs Chief Diversity Officer as one of 50 Working
44 percent minority, we embrace a multitude organized by diverse organizations such as Mothers from across the country by Working
of cultures. Last year, minorities made up 44 National Black MBA, National Association Mother magazine, Senior Vice President Ingrid
percent of the total new hires and 42 percent of of Black Accountants, Association of Latino Beckles, and Vice President Tricia McClung as
all promotions. Also, 48 percent of our officer Professionals in Finance and Accounting, and top 100 Women Worth Watching® by Profiles
promotions in 2009 were female and 26 percent the Executive Leadership Council. in Diversity Journal, Senior Vice Presidents
were minority. Dwight Robinson and Paul Mullings as Top 100

30 Pro f i les i n D i ve rsit y Journal M aY / J u n e 2 0 1 0


Questions & Answers Freddie Mac

Pictured (l-r) at Freddie Mac’s 2009 MAC Week


Event is Freddie Mac CEO Ed Haldeman working
alongside Kolowole Marville, one of the recipients
of the newly built D.C. homes.

Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America Some of the topics these courses are focused
by Savoy magazine, and Vice President Zenia on include:
Raudsepp as a Top 20 Elite Woman of the Year • Four Generations—Four Approaches
by Hispanic Business magazine. to Work
Philanthropy • Enhancing Your Cultural Competency
Freddie Mac also continues to be a leader in • Managing Micro-Triggers
the community. In 2009, we contributed more • Exploring Unconscious Bias
than $2.2 million in funding to local non- • Self-Efficacy (for African Americans,
profit organizations, many of which serve ethnic LGBTs, Hispanics/Latinos, Women,
and families in diverse communities through
minority communities. and Asians)
our philanthropic and housing-related efforts.
• Recruiting Through a Diversity Lens
• Performance, Image, and Exposure:
LEADERSHIP P.I.E. —Your Competitive Advantage EMPLOYEE INCLUSIVENESS
What resources are allocated to diversity?
Sometimes diversity is referred to as a
We have a dedicated Office of Diversity & Who chairs your company’s diversity
‘numbers game.’ How does your company
Inclusion, led by Freddie Mac’s Chief Diversity council? How are decisions about diversity
know its culture is not just tied up in
Officer, Tujuanna B. Williams. The team in- made in your organization?
numbers? How do the human stories
cludes two senior diversity advisors and support Freddie Mac will be launching its first internal
circulate in-house/celebrate success?
staff, as well as a separate Supplier Diversity executive diversity council this year, led by the
At Freddie Mac, diversity is much more than
team. This office integrates and aligns senior CEO, Ed Haldeman. The council will meet
a ‘numbers game’—we are cultivating a work
leadership’s vision with daily business prac- regularly to establish and review the diversity
environment where everyone feels included and
tices, and communicates goals and progress to and inclusion goals and progress.
has a responsibility for appreciating, respecting,
the organization.
and celebrating our differences.
The diversity and inclusion budget suffi-
MARKET ISSUES Our diversity is woven into everything we
ciently supports all outreach activity, education,
How does a company in an industry as fast- do, and we have a number of opportunities for
career, and networking events. Additionally, the
changing as yours keep up with diversity employees to participate in a myriad of diver-
seven ENGs are funded through the Office of
development throughout the organization? sity programs and activities, including Hispanic
Diversity & Inclusion.
Recognizing that the market is ever-changing, Heritage Month, Black History Month, and
How does Freddie Mac deal with/train our diversity and inclusion efforts are even Asian Lunar New Year activities; diversity train-
for cross-cultural competencies for its more focused on meeting corporate objectives, ing and education sessions; and external diver-
leadership? What accountability do you particularly in this current housing and sity networking and recruiting events. We not
employ to meet objectives? economic climate. only strive to recruit top diverse candidates, but
Diversity and inclusion training that raises Last year, we made progress in increas- foster an inclusive culture within our workforce
awareness and builds skills is a cornerstone of ing diversity representation—both within our that recognizes and celebrates the unique simi-
professional development for both senior man- workforce, and among our leadership—to be larities and differences of all of our employees.
agement and employees at Freddie Mac. representative of the diverse communities that
How are employees more involved in
We provide the training and skills employ- we serve. We also continued to provide employ-
diversity and inclusion efforts at the
ees and senior leaders can use to forge strong ees with dynamic and comprehensive diversity
company than they were two years ago?
relationships, and make a positive impact on training and education, partnered with numer-
Our ENGs are open to all employees and
our corporate environment. Our instructor-led ous diversity-focused organizations to recruit
provide opportunities for professional advance-
and web-based diversity training and education diverse candidates and stay abreast of diversity
ment and personal development, as well as
programs include a mandatory on-line training best practices, provided employees with com-
an open environment to share insights and
module for all new hires, and seven different petitive benefits and professional development
network. Participation in these network groups
instructor-led courses offered through the year. opportunities, and helped strengthen children
has increased year after year; today, more than

Prof iles in Div er s it y Jou r na l M aY / J u n e 2 0 1 0 31


Questions & Answers Freddie Mac

2010 Diversity
Recognition Luncheon

Freddie Mac CEO Ed Haldeman


25 percent of our employees participate in
network-sponsored events.
In 2008, the Employee Network Ambassador
program was launched to support the
efforts of the Office of Diversity & Inclusion.
These volunteer Ambassadors accompany
recruiters to diversity recruiting events to
provide potential candidates with an objective
perspective about the company culture. The
Ambassadors also greet all new hires within
the first 60 days of employment, to welcome (Above) Paul Mullings, SVP, Single-
them to the company and deliver a packet of Family Sourcing; and (right) Ed Golding,
information about Freddie Mac’s diversity and SVP of Economics & Policy, and Making
inclusion offerings. Home Affordable Program executive.
Our employees also take part in our robust
diversity training and education programs
throughout the year. Last year, more than
40% of our workforce participated in diversity
education and training and employees
an Employee Network Mentoring Program Leadership and Achievement
participated in more than 60 instructor-led
enabling network members to be mentees and • Lambda: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual,
training workshops. This denotes a significant
also select mentors of the same gender or ethnic Transgender Employee Network
year over year increase.
background if they choose to. • Sandwich Generation: Supporting those
caring for aging family members
How are employees’ opinions solicited/
How do you deal with those who perceive • WIN: Women’s Interactive Network
valued, and responded to?
inclusion programs for underrepresented
Employees are able to offer their opinions and/
groups as being exclusionary for others? Can you name specific ways Freddie Mac
or make suggestions on a variety of topics
Our diversity and inclusion programs have been supports upward development toward
and company offerings through an employee
very well received by employees. We have yet management positions?
‘feedback box’ on the company’s intranet site
to receive feedback that these programs have Freddie Mac provides employees with a myriad
‘Homefront.’ A member of the company’s em-
been perceived as exclusionary, as we are very of opportunities for professional growth and
ployee communications team regularly reviews
deliberate with the positioning of our diver- leadership development. An example of this is
employee comments, follows up with employ-
sity and inclusion programs. The messaging Freddie Mac University (FMU), the company’s
ees, and shares the feedback with the Office of
is consistently inclusive and emphasizes that integrated online and instructor-led learning
Diversity & Inclusion.
diversity and inclusion pertains to and affects curriculum that provides employees with pro-
Can you describe your method for orienting every employee. fessional learning and leadership development
new hires into your culture, and enriching Freddie Mac’s ENGs are open to all em- opportunities in a variety of areas.
awareness or introducing new issues? ployees. The goal of these groups is to provide We also have a robust Succession Planning
All new hires attend a one-day orientation class employees with both professional advancement Program to identify and groom employees for
to familiarize them with Freddie Mac’s mission, and personal development opportunities. management positions at the company. The
business and corporate culture. Presentations We make it clear through our internal com- Succession Planning Program includes both
are delivered by several divisions and provide munications that every employee is welcome to a Leadership Talent Review and a Leadership
detailed information about the company’s diver- participate in any one of our ENGs, regardless Development Program.
sity and inclusion efforts, benefits, professional of their race, gender, ethnicity, or physical abil-
ity or disability. How does Freddie Mac bring women and
development and mentoring opportunities, and
The seven ENGs are: minority employees into the fabric of the
key business area initiatives. Senior leaders,
• Abilities: Valuing Everyone’s Abilities organization?
including the CEO, often attend the new-hire
(focuses on employees touched by One of the ways Freddie Mac helps ensure
orientations to welcome new employees to
disabilities) women and minority employees are in the
Freddie Mac.
• ARISE: African-Americans, Resources pipeline for advancement and promotions
As part of our on-boarding efforts and
and Information Sharing for Everyone is through its newly developed Leadership
overall commitment to diversity at the company,
• ASIAN: Asians Supporting Inclusion and Development Program, spearheaded by the
we have our Employee Network Ambassador
Awareness Network company’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
Program. Last year, Freddie Mac also launched
• HOLA: Hispanic Organization for It is specifically designed to identify high-

32 Pro f i les i n D i ve rsit y Journal M aY / J u n e 2 0 1 0


Questions & Answers Freddie Mac

SDAC
Supplier Diversity
Action Council
potential African-Americans and women Freddie Mac carry out its important mission to Pictured (l-r) are Freddie Mac
of every ethnicity to address their specific stabilize the housing market and support the Supplier Diversity Action Council
leadership development needs in a single gender nation’s economic recovery. Supplier Diversity is (SDAC) members who attended the
and single identity training environment. This Freddie Mac’s way of assuring that our suppliers inaugural meeting in August of last
high-impact leadership development program is reflect the diversity of the American workforce. year: Jay Inouye, Graham Kidner,
a multi-year training effort that includes online Our objective is to ensure that M/WBEs receive Anna Smith, Charlene Wilson, Tim
and instructor-led courses, high visibility, and the opportunity to compete fairly in all of the Prime, Jennifer Meyer, Mandy
access to senior leaders of the company. We also corporation’s business dealings.Diversity Mason, Julie Sun, Dean Blake,
offer individual career coaching opportunities Michael Barr, Cie Riley, Deborah
Do you set specific percentage or dollar Gladstone, Tamla Bias, Trang
and specific leadership development programs
targets? How do you measure success? Gueron, Eric Sorensen, John
externally, such as our Executive Leadership
Stickeler, Susan Russell, Lauren
Council pipeline talent program. We measure how well our Supplier Diversity
Englander, Alma Jadallah, Carlos
Freddie Mac also identifies high-potential Program is meeting corporate and business
Martinez, and Bunni Wheeler-
female employees from all racial and ethnic area objectives by looking at the percentage Young. Not Pictured: Donna
backgrounds through its Leadership Talent of total spend, the number of diverse Brandveen, Donald Campbell,
Review Succession Planning Program. This suppliers, and the recognition we receive from Christina Diaz-Malone, Leigh
program is an ongoing effort that identifies outside organizations. Guthrie, Devonna Kee, Alain
high-potential employees from 3 tiers: division In 2009, Freddie Mac generated nearly Pakabomba, Gail Price, Boyd
heads, direct reports, and those that report to $375 million in contracts with Minority- Stewart, and Zixta Martinez.
direct reports. and Woman-owned Business Enterprises
(M/WBEs). This represents a 200% increase
over 2008 and was 26% of Freddie Mac’s
SUPPLIER Diversity total procurement spend. Last year, we also
What is Freddie Mac’s commitment to launched a Supplier Diversity Action Council
minority suppliers? (SDAC), comprised of 25 members from
Freddie Mac’s Supplier Diversity program is across the company that work to better integrate
designed to increase awareness of the capabilities, diversity and inclusion into the contracting
talents, and importance of Minority- and practices of all business areas. PDJ
Woman-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs).
Our M/WBE suppliers are critical to helping

Prof iles in Div er s it y Jou r na l M aY / J u n e 2 0 1 0 33


Profile Ed Haldeman
Questions
Answers &
w i t h C E O E d H a lde m a n regularly for the past year. But what I
hedged my bets by going to business school
and law school simultaneously. found through my research is that the
public perception of Freddie Mac, its work,
I graduated in June of 1974 and got
Where does your personal belief in diversity and its people, is at odds with reality. The
incredibly lucky by finding work in the
and inclusion come from? Was there a pivotal
truth is that the company has a critically
asset management business. The U.S. stock
experience that helped shape your view?
important mission—to provide liquidity,
market peaked in 1966 at 1,000, when
Like many people, I was taught at home,
stability, and affordability to the nation’s
I graduated high school. By the time I
at church, and at school, that an important
housing finance system—and Freddie Mac
finished graduate school eight years later,
human value was a commitment to equal-
serves that mission every day. Freddie Mac’s
the Dow was in the 500s. So I got in at a
ity and inclusiveness.
employees are deeply committed to their
good time and stayed, which turned out
However, this teaching as a child was
work. And the company’s mission has
to be very fortunate for me. I joined an
about a concept. It became more real for
never been more important than it is today,
asset management firm in June of 1974
me later in life. My wife’s family is Chinese,
as the nation works its way out of this long,
and worked with the same five partners
and I heard stories from them about how,
deep recession.
for 23 years. We joined a company called
in the 1950s and 1960s, real estate agents
United Asset Management, which eventu-Freddie Mac not only plays a vital, ongo-
would not show them homes in certain
ing role in stabilizing the housing markets,
ally bought 53 different money manage-
neighborhoods of Baltimore be-


but we’re also working very closely
cause “they wouldn’t be happy
with the Obama Administration to
there.” I also saw my wife, a We are committed to diversity not help struggling families avoid fore-
Harvard-trained lawyer, attend law
closure and keep their homes.
firm luncheons at a downtown only because it’s the right thing to So I took the job because I
club in Philadelphia and be unable
to walk in the front door with the do, but because it also makes good talented and committed workforce.
wanted to lead and motivate a


other lawyers because women had
to walk down a side alley and then business sense. I wanted to help the company
contribute all that it could to the
go in a back entrance. Through my
nation’s economic recovery. And
wife’s experiences, discrimination
ment firms. I became President and CEO I want to help reshape and strengthen
became more real for me.
of UAM in 1997. In 2000, I was recruited Freddie Mac for a successful future once
Who has shaped and influenced your thinking as to be CEO of Delaware Investments, and it emerges from conservatorship. Finally, I
a business leader? in late 2002 I joined Putnam Investment realized that Freddie Mac has a great story
One of my biggest and earliest influences Management. I became CEO of Putnam to tell, and I wanted to help tell it.
was my father, who worked 6-7 days a week on November 3, 2003 as a result of a mar-
at our storefront family business. Like so ket timing issue that eventually sparked a Were you aware of its D&I?
many in his generation, he was focused on series of regulatory probes into the indus- Not initially, but I was really pleased to
making a better life for the next generation. try’s business practices. From my very first learn about Freddie Mac’s long-standing
He thought of it as the responsible thing day on the job, I was focused on saving commitment to diversity and inclusion, be-
to do. And my mother, too—in fact, she the firm, reassuring our employees that cause it’s something I’ve believed strongly
continues to work at the family business Putnam would survive, and visiting our cli- in throughout my career. Freddie Mac
every day. I have them to thank for instill- ents. It took a huge effort by a lot of good strives to be an employer-of-choice for
ing in me a solid work ethic very early on people, but we successfully reorganized the workers of all backgrounds, by providing
in my life. satisfying professional development op-
business and restored Putnam’s reputation.
portunities, dynamic and comprehensive
How did you get to your present position?
When the opportunity came along to apply
diversity training and education, strong
What was your career path? that same skill set at Freddie Mac—a com-
compensation and benefits packages, and
I grew up in Philadelphia, and was fortu- pany facing similar challenges—I thought an inclusive work environment. Its com-
nate to be the first in my family to be able I could help. mitment to a diverse and inclusive work-
to attend college. I knew that I wanted to How did you come to Freddie Mac? place is paying off: minorities make up over
be successful in a traditional career, which I was intrigued when a search firm ap- 40% of our workforce, and more than 40%
at that time meant business, medicine, or proached me about the CEO position. of our new hires last year were minorities.
law. So I was pre-med as an undergradu- Of course, I knew about Freddie Mac
ate, while studying economics, and later generally, because it had been in the news

34 Pro f i les i n D i ve rsit y Journal M aY / J u n e 2 0 1 0


personal
Profile
Who were/are your mentors? Are you mentoring Company
anyone today? Freddie Mac
Norton Reamer, the founder of United
Asset Management Corporation, taught Title
me a lot about management. Jack Bogle, CEO
the founder of Vanguard, has taught me a
lot about ethics and investing. They were Time in current position
both important mentors for me. 9 months
In some unofficial capacity, I’d say
I am mentoring a young man who is Education
in his first year at Yale Law School. His M.B.A., Harvard Business School,
name is Damaris Walker, and his story
(Baker Scholar); J.D., cum laude,
is amazing. Entirely by chance, I got
Harvard Law School; A.B., summa
connected to him. He is from North
cum laude, Dartmouth College.
Philadelphia and he went to Dartmouth,
entirely on financial aid. He did so well
Professional
there that he got into Yale Law School.
We see each other 4 to 5 times a year and I am a Chartered Financial Analyst
we stay connected by e-mail. My whole (CFA), and currently Chairman of
with each other, and if there’s a problem, the Board of Trustees of Dartmouth
family has benefitted by knowing him.
we need to deal with it directly. Openness, College. I also serve on the Harvard
If you were in a roomful of colleagues, what candor, transparency, and being direct are Business School Board of Dean’s
might they say about you, your style, or your always the best approach.
business sense? Advisors, and formerly served on the
I hope that they would say that I seek Were there any experiences that discouraged Board of Governors of the Investment
broad input and then decide. I also hope you about D&I implementation? Company Institute.
they would say that I was fair and direct. I sometimes get discouraged because talk
is easy and it often doesn’t lead to action.
What books would you recommend for new leaders?
Age 61
Talking and training are necessary pre-
One of my favorite books is The Greatest conditions, and although it takes time to
Generation, by Tom Brokaw, because it First job
change behavior and see results, if you
speaks so well about the contributions I began my career at Cooke & Bieler,
work hard enough at it, you can make a
made by my father’s generation. A book on Inc., in 1974, where I was a Partner.
real difference.
leadership that I’ve always liked is Lincoln Cooke & Bieler later became an affiliate
on Leadership: Executive Strategies for Tough What has been your proudest moment as leader of United Asset Management.
at Freddie Mac?
Times, by Donald T. Phillips.
My proudest moment at Freddie Philosophy
How would you describe your concept and style Mac has been watching all the divisions
of leadership?
To be successful, we have to lead with
throughout the company come together
First, ethics and integrity are essential integrity and ethics. Manage people the
to support the Obama administration’s
components of my management style. Some way you would like to be managed.
Making Home Affordable program. The
people think there is a trade-off between hard work and passion of employees in
business success and ethical behavior, but What I’m reading
support of keeping families in their homes
I believe high ethical standards and has been amazing to watch. PDJ Enough, by John “Jack” Bogle.
integrity are necessary pre-conditions for
success. I want Freddie Mac to lead with Family
integrity and ethics. In fact, I believe we Wife, Barbara, and three children.
can’t be successful unless we live up to that
standard. Second, I believe in transparent Interests
and candid management. Of course, that’s Squash, paddle tennis, tennis, and golf.
easy to say but hard to do sometimes. But
we have to be willing to be open and direct

Prof iles in Div er s it y Jou r na l M aY / J u n e 2 0 1 0 35


Questions & Answers Freddie Mac

Some of Freddie Mac’s very busy ENGs in 2009:

HOLA Hispanic Heritage Month


Pictured (l-r) at our 2009
Hispanic Heritage Month
Opening event: Gabriela
Silva, HOLA Co-Chair; Carol
Wambeke, HOLA Executve
Sponsor; Ed Haldeman;
Marie Ruiz, HOLA Chair;
Eileen Torres, External Guest
Speaker.

ARISE Black History Month Celebration

Below (l-r): Chris T. Morris, VP, Mission Division—Strategy, Planning


and Reporting; Jeanne Woods, VP, Human Resources Business
Partner; Hyacinth Kucik, VP, Deputy General Counsel of Litigation;
Bruce Witherell, COO (speaking); Wendell Chambliss, VP, Deputy
General Counsel—Mission & Anti-Predatory Lending; and Preston
Lee, Director, Industry Relations & Housing Outreach.

Above (l-r): Darren Sharpe, Managing


Associate, General Counsel; Bruce Witherell,
COO; Preston Lee, Director, Industry
Relations & Housing Outreach; Hyacinth
Kucik, VP, Deputy General Counsel of
Litigation; Ed Haldeman, CEO; Jeanne
Woods, VP, Human Resources Business
Partner; Chris T. Morris, VP, Mission
Division—Strategy, Planning and Reporting;
Wendell Chambliss, VP, Deputy General
Counsel—Mission & Anti-Predatory Lending.

ALPFA Beginning of Year Celebration


Pictured (l-r) at the ALPFA (Association of Latino
Professionals in Finance and Accounting) Beginning of Year
Celebration: Gabriela Silva, HOLA Co-Chair; Marie Ruiz, HOLA
Chair; Ross Kari, Freddie Mac CFO; Luisa Fernandez, ALPFA
DC Chapter President; Maria Landesman, ALPFA DC Chapter
Secretary; Tujuanna Williams, Freddie Mac Chief Diversity Officer;
Camila Lorca, ALPFA DC Chapter Treasurer.

WIN & Sandwich Generation Network

Pictured (l-r) at our 2009 WIN and Sandwich


Generation Employee Network Event: Dr.
Julia Wheeler; Rose Smith, on-site professional
counselor at Freddie Mac; Linda Blossom, Sandwich
Network Co-Lead; Karen Prante, WIN Network
Secretary; Alice Deely, Sandwich Network Co-Chair;
Anne Kaiser, WIN member; Hyacinth Kucik, WIN
Executive Sponsor; Emily Belanger, WIN member;
and Heidi Keller, WIN Chair.

36 Pro f i les i n D i ve rsit y Journal M aY / J u n e 2 0 1 0

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