An Inclusion Journey at State Street: From Boston to Munich

Business

"I Learned the Importance of Networking, Mentoring, and Sponsorship"

James Rowell, Business Analyst and Client Service Consultant, Assistant Vice President

James Rowell joined State Street in 2000 as an intern in Boston. When he opted for our one-year expat assignment in Europe, he didn’t know what the future held for him but he was prepared for the journey ahead. At State Street, he worked in different departments like finance and technology in locations such as Dublin in Ireland, and Munich in Germany. Currently, James is a business analyst and client service consultant, and chair of the Pride Network in Germany.

We spoke to him about his career at State Street, the importance of inclusion and diversity, and how the Pride Network has impacted his life.

Tell us about the path that brought you to your current role at State Street.

My path began at State Street as an intern in Boston, Massachusetts, where I am originally from. After finishing university, I was offered a position at State Street as a fund accountant. A year after joining State Street as a full-time employee, I applied and interviewed for a one-year expat assignment in Dublin, Ireland. I was fortunate to be offered the role and after the end of my assignment, I joined State Street International (Ireland) Ltd. as a local employee.

I worked in Dublin for over six years in various departments, such as fund accounting, training, and as a conversions specialist before I came to my current role in Munich, Germany in 2011. With each career move within State Street, I learned the importance of networking, mentoring and sponsorship in shaping one’s career path. It was also through mentoring and networking that I was inspired to become an Employee Network Leader.

Was there anything specific that attracted you to State Street?

Being a native from Boston, State Street is a part of the fabric of the city I grew up in. As an intern at State Street in Boston, I was attracted to the possibilities and opportunities for an employee to work with the company in different departments and in different countries. The idea of working for the company abroad was enticing to a young university graduate with a business degree. I was also impressed by the strong internal company culture and the employee engagement at State Street that I was exposed to as an intern.

What does inclusion and diversity mean to you?

Diversity and inclusion for me is about respecting diverse backgrounds, perspectives and the cultures of different people. They empower individuals to break down their biases, unconscious or otherwise, and respect differences in identity, culture and ideas. As an African-American male, who identifies as LGBTQ, which stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ), I proudly embody the definition of diversity in my personal and professional life.

How does the Germany Pride Network impact life at State Street?

I am the chair of the Germany Pride Network. Before 2018, a network for LGBTQ employees and allies did not exist in Germany, but the interest in the network in the country was palpable. After conversations with employees, Employee Network leads in EMEA and North America, my mentor and the local Global Inclusion lead, I decided to launch the Germany Pride & Friends network.

I am currently the network chairperson, coordinating and hosting events for our colleagues in Germany, with participation and collaboration from other employee networks in the EMEA region. It was through the creation of the Pride Network in Germany that State Street International GmbH signed the Charta der Vielfalt, which in English translates to ‘the Diversity Charter’. Initiated in 2006, the Charta der Vielfalt is a corporate initiative to promote diversity in companies and institutions across Germany. The initiative aims to promote recognition, appreciation and integration of diversity in Germany’s business culture. Over 3,800 companies and organizations with a total of more than 14 million employees have already signed, and new signatories are continually being added. This was a major commitment on behalf of State Street in Germany, which further solidified the local importance and understanding of diversity within our organization in the EMEA region.

How does State Street put inclusion and diversity goals into practice?

State Street puts this into practice in several ways, beginning with our inclusion and diversity mission and vision statements that anchor these goals for the organization. State Street employs a Chief Diversity Officer, who is responsible for executing the goals of our global inclusion and diversity strategy. State Street has also shown its commitment to diversity and inclusion by funding employee networks globally and by supporting these networks in hosting and collaborating for employee network events. There is also a plethora of training resources available related to diversity and inclusion, allyship, and building an inclusive environment, which are both voluntary and some mandatory, depending on one’s role. State Street is a global company with a global mindset and is truly a leader in diversity and inclusion efforts and actions, which is reflected in the company culture.

Tell us more about your current role.

In my current role, I am part of a team responsible for the technical and operational functioning of a critical client onboarding web application. As one of the original architects of the application, my role encompasses the user experience/user interface (UI/UX) design for developers and end-users, as well as creating and managing the technical specification documentation, web-release management, and testing of the application.

I also work closely with teams across the globe in a follow-the-sun model, where my day begins with touchpoints in the Asia-Pacific region, moving then to Europe mid-day and ending with touchpoints in North America. I enjoy the global nature of the role and working with people in several countries and cultures on a daily basis.

When thinking about the challenges of 2020, what would be the key message you would like to share about your professional life?

The challenging year behind us has reinforced the idea that upskilling is even more important than it was yesterday. State Street is a company that offers countless opportunities and paths for personal and professional development.

My key message to employees is that during this unprecedented time and in the future, they should take advantage of the opportunities to develop their skills through various learning and professional development programs offered here internally at State Street and through partnerships with other organizations. I also encourage employees from every level to participate in mentoring programs. I have found, as both a mentee and a mentor, that these relationships can be highly advantageous for professional development. I would also urge them to not be afraid to take risks. In Germany, there is a popular saying that is usually for the ski-slopes but is also used in all aspects of life: no risk, no fun. Be informed before jumping into a new venture but don’t be afraid to take a chance in advancing your career.

What is your advice for anyone considering a career change?

My advice for anyone applying to State Street or considering a job change is to ensure that your resume communicates your experience and skills. I would also advise anyone looking for a career change to research roles before applying to gain an understanding of the job responsibilities-, the business unit and how your skills fit the potential role. My last suggestion would be to think about how you can be an asset to the company and communicate that in your application.

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