Citi Leaders Named to the 2016 OUTstanding/Financial Times Leading LGBT & Ally Executives Lists

I am delighted to share the news that again this year, two of our senior executives appear in the 2016 OUTstanding/Financial Times Leading LGBT & Ally Executives lists. Citi's Jim Cowles, CEO of Europe, Middle East and Africa and Bob Annibale, Global Director for Citi Inclusive Finance & Community Development, have been named by OUTstanding/FT for their demonstration of Citi's commitment to the LGBT community, and for working tirelessly inside and outside the bank to achieve positive change for LGBT people.

OUTstanding, which was founded in 2013 to demonstrate that "LGBT+ executives could be visible, safe and successful in business", publishes these lists each year to support the ideal that LGBT+ employees will not be held back or live in fear of discrimination because of who they are.

Bob Annibale, who is named in OUTstanding/FT's 2016 Leading 100 LGBT Executives list for the third consecutive year, provides global senior and out leadership for Citi. He is the Global Senior Business Sponsor for both the London & New York LGBT employee networks, serves as the Citi Pride business sponsor representative, and works closely with Citi's Senior Management, as well as with our colleagues in the businesses, legal, government affairs & Diversity offices to promote LGBT inclusion and rights globally.

Recognized yet again as one of OUTstanding/FT's 2016 Leading 30 Ally Executives, Jim Cowles leads by example in his support for the LGBT community and is one of Citi's most visible senior allies. He has supported the creation and promotion of a range of employee networks, including the Pride Network focused on the LGBT community. He has championed senior manager diversity training, and actively supports the creation and adoption of more inclusive policies across Citi.

This announcement by OUTstanding/FT underscores the many ways in which Citi has taken a stand for progress on behalf of its LGBT employees, clients and stakeholders. Citi was a founding member of the Stonewall Global Diversity Champions Group, was one of the first financial institutions to sign the amicus brief in favor of marriage equality in U.S. v. Windsor, and joined the Human Rights Campaign and more than 100 other companies in public opposition to anti-Trans legislation in North Carolina and elsewhere in the U.S. Citi sponsors and participates in annual Pride Parades in London, New York City and elsewhere, and continues to work with the Human Rights Campaign and other organizations such as Out on the Street, Out & Equal and most recently with SAGE USA's Elder Housing Initiative.

We have strived to ensure that Citi provides a diverse and inclusive workplace and that, along with leading LGBT organizations and other global corporations, we explore other opportunities to support progressive change wherever possible in support of under-represented communities. We congratulate Bob and Jim for once again achieving this distinguished recognition on behalf of Citi for their leadership in advancing diversity and inclusion.