Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now pervasive across communities. From ChatGPT assisting with drafting work emails to some of the culture’s favorite songs being reimagined by different artists, AI is ever-present. With the advancement of technology, companies are starting to think through and implement what it means to have AI as a part of the operational model. TIAA, a leading financial services and investment firm, is a part of that organizational shift – implementing AI technology to delight their clients. One example of this implementation is a partnership with Google Cloud. TIAA is using AI in its everyday service offerings to improve its analytical approach in its National Contact Center (NCC). The NCC is central to the TIAA customer offering when it comes to responding to requests for financial guidance and retirement planning strategies from new, existing and future clients. With a focus on customer satisfaction and more streamlined operational methods, applying Natural...

Ever gone to try on clothes while shopping and had to go through several iterations before you got it right? And all of a sudden, you find the perfect fit that meets all of your needs. This trial and error process, which sometimes can be tedious, led you to be confident that you made the right decision. Although finding and landing a job is not as trivial as finding the perfect outfit for a night out, the principle of staying persistent and not settling for less than the best is the same. Day after day, people are scrolling through many job search sites to land what they believe is their dream job. Companies are just as consistent as they seek to recruit talented people that can help them grow. This marriage between talent and organizations is quite nuanced, but one that the people at TIAA believe they have a good grasp on. TIAA is an over 100-year-old financial services organization that started with the aim to ensure educators have dignity in the retirement process and has now...

TIAA — a Fortune 100 financial services company and pension fund giant — has been a longtime supporter of diverse and unique suppliers, but now has plans to strengthen its commitment by spending more on goods and services from those minority firms. According to a statement from the company, TIAA launched its Supplier Diversity Program nearly 30 years ago to support the need to build relationships with diverse and diverse-conscious enterprises. TIAA recently published its Supplier Diversity Economic Impact Report , in which it includes initiatives to develop strong working relationships with suppliers owned by minorities of unique backgrounds, including women, veterans, disabled people, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals. “We are proud of the work we’ve done to support and celebrate diverse and minority-owned businesses, but we know we must do more,” said Glenn Richter, Chief Financial Officer at TIAA, in a statement . “As our nation continues to reel from...

Overcoming barriers is one thing, but creating opportunities for others to do the same is another. After nearly two decades of working as an executive at JPMorgan Chase, Thasunda Brown Duckett became the president and CEO of TIAA, which works to close gaps in retirement and provide equitable opportunities for investment. At the Global Black Economic Forum (GBEF) Business Summit during the ESSENCE Festival Of Culture presented by Coca-Cola, Duckett spoke about how the impact she’s making extends past the financial retirement services company and how her serving as a Black woman CEO can provide inspiration for young Black women. When it comes to the imposter syndrome that those who look like her often face entering corporate spaces, Duckett shared guidance with AFROTECH™ for how future Black executives can navigate such challenges. “When you think about imposter syndrome, which we all have at certain points in our life, I think the most important thing is as you’re going through life,...

Investment deals can be intimidating for many. Here to save the day, emerging platform Amass is looking to meet people where they are and provide them access to lucrative investment opportunities. Founded by former NFL Coach and Bestselling Author Daron K. Roberts alongside Abby Coleman and Harold Hughes, Amass generates Black capital by providing community, knowledge, and access to its members-only investment platform. The Black community will have an opportunity to change its economic position through alternative investment vehicles. This will be helpful, since according to a report, Black Americans fall short when it comes to financial literacy and comprehending risks and investment deals, correctly answering 38 percent of personal finance questions in comparison to white Americans who answered 55 percent accurately. “We all know this disparity is neither an accident nor a coincidence. And, I believe we can push back against this gap by acquiring assets that have the potential to...

For the first time in history, two Black women CEOs are featured on the Fortune 500 list. This year, Fortune reports that women-run Fortune 500 companies have hit an all-time record of 41 CEOs, with women like Roz Brewer of No. 16 Walgreens Boots Alliance and Thasunda Brown Duckett of No. 79 TIAA making strides for Black businesswomen. Brewer, who’s a former Starbucks executive, was named the new CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance back in March, briefly making her the only Black woman to run a Fortune 500 company this year until she was joined by Duckett, former JPMorgan Chase exec and now the new CEO of TIAA. According to Fortune, only one other Black woman, Ursula Burns of Xerox, has run a Fortune 500 business on a permanent basis with the exception of Mary Winston, who served as Bed Bath & Beyond’s interim chief for several months back in 2019. Ever since then, Black women CEOs have been missing from the Fortune 500 list but it looks as though that’s beginning to change. Now, these...

Thanks to the magic of a free and open Internet and social networking, this generation has the ability to document every day of their entire lives. On the flip side, once posted there’s no way to erase the occasional stupid comment, regretful photo or random rookie mistake…or, is there? Photo: Giphy As co-founder of On Second Thought , Maci Peterson has patented a system that allows users to recall and edit their messages in real time. The inspiration came to the 30-year-old entrepreneur three years ago, when she accidentally texted an ex-boyfriend something she later wished she could take back. I mean, who hasn’t been there? In 2014, that inspiration lead Peterson to launch an app used to recall text messages. Now she and her partner are taking it a step further and expanding the technology for use on social networking platforms. In fact, the patented recall system will be made available on all forms of telecommunications. Brilliance! No one deserves a permanent, easily sharable...