Marjolein Dennissen

24 The Herculean task of diversity networks Finance The first organization is a financial service organization, from here on referred to as Finance. Finance is situated throughout the Netherlands and has six different diversity networks: a network for women in senior management positions ( Women at the Top ), a network for women in middle management positions ( Ladies with Ambition ), an ethnic minority network, an LGBT network, a disability network and a young employee network for employees from 18-35 years of age. The networks are organized nationally, are officially acknowledged by the organization, and receive financial support. All networks are set up by employees themselves. An overview of the main characteristics of the different diversity networks is presented in Appendix 4. Women at the Top. The women’s network Women at the Top is a network exclusively for women in senior management positions. Women at the Top was initiated informally by several women who wanted to organize something for women in the higher organizational echelons. The idea was to start a women’s network by and for women in top and subtop level positions. Women at the Top started as an informal network and has been maintained as such. The network board is organized informally without functions as chair or secretary, and there is no particular structure. Although it is common practice in the organization to make use of specified goals, plans, and key performance indicators to measure success, Women at the Top has specifically chosen not to formalize any goals, plans, or performance indicators. There are approximately 450 women in senior management positions, and all of these women are automatically seen as members of the network. Women at the Top supports the network from their own resources and receives additional support of a sponsor from the board of directors. Ladies with Ambition. Ladies with Ambition is a women’s network that aims to support women in middle management positions specifically. This means that only women who are in middle management salary scales are eligible for membership. Board members could not recall when or how the network was initiated, but they believe it must have started in 2007/2008 after a fusion with a company holding that already had a women’s network. Currently, the network consists of approximately 700 members and is led by one chairwoman and four general board members. Ladies with Ambition is financially supported by the organization by means of a yearly budget. Ethnic minority network. The ethnic minority network started as an interpersonal network of one employee with an ethnic minority background. As a job coach, she organized meetings where ethnic minority employees were brought together and could exchange experiences. Participants expressed their enthusiasm and said these meetings were valuable for their own network. The employees themselves requested to make this network an official network, and in 2010, an official ethnic minority network was launched for the entire organization. The ethnic minority network board consists of a chair, a treasurer, a secretary, and two other members. The network has approximately 500 members, and membership is open to all employees