Forest City Launches Hispanic Associate Resource Group
CLEVELAND, Ohio, September 18, 2014 /3BL Media/ – Forest City Enterprises, Inc., (NYSE: FCEA and FCEB) today announced the official launch of UNIDOS, the company’s Hispanic associate resource group (ARG). The launch coincides with the beginning of National Hispanic American Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15) and follows the formation of ARGs for women in 2012 and African American associates in 2013.
UNIDOS, which means united or connected in Spanish, is open to all associates at Forest City. Approximately 350 Forest City associates across the country identify themselves as Hispanic.
“As part of our commitment to corporate social responsibility, Forest City strives to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace culture where all of our associates can succeed,” said David J. LaRue, Forest City’s chief executive officer. “We understand that an engaged and diverse culture makes Forest City a great place to work, positions us to meet challenges and allows us to strengthen relationships in the communities where we operate.”
“This group brings a special perspective to the organization,” said Duane Bishop, the executive sponsor of UNIDOS and chief operating officer of the company’s Commercial Group. “UNIDOS reflects the diverse culture of the Hispanic community, and we can leverage those diverse perspectives to help our associates grow in their careers and drive value in our business.”
“As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage month, we are reminded of the positive impact the more than 50 million Hispanics are having across our nation,” said Maribel Hofmann, a diversity and inclusion specialist in the company’s Human Resources department and co-chair of UNIDOS. “Our Hispanic associates bring a unique insight into an expanding market that is fast becoming essential to business success.”
The ARG’s initial focus will be on delivering value to the organization by providing translation and focus group services from their wide range of members across the country.
“UNIDOS will make an immediate impact on the organization,” said Carmen Strauchon, a manager in Forest City’s Commercial Group and co-chair of the ARG. “By sharing the depth and vibrancy of Hispanic culture, our goal is to optimize the way we engage with our associates and communities, while also improving how we connect with the Hispanic populations in the communities we serve.”
The company’s first ARG, WE LEAD, which stands for Women's Excellence in Leadership Education Advancement and Development, launched in the fall 2012. The company’s second group, AACCEL, which stands for African Americans Connecting and Creating Excellence and Leadership, was formed in spring 2013.
Forest City reported on its commitment to diversity and inclusion and other important factors impacting its associates and communities in its recently published 2013 Corporate Social Responsibility report, now available at http://csr.forestcity.net.
About Forest City
Forest City Enterprises, Inc. is an NYSE-listed national real estate company with $8.6 billion in total assets. The company is principally engaged in the ownership, development, management and acquisition of commercial and residential real estate throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.forestcity.net.
# # #
Contacts: Jill Ziegler, Director of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility, 216-621-6060, jillziegler@forestcity.net, or Jeff Linton, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Community Relations, 216-621-6060, jefflinton@forestcity.net.
