Question: You’ve been recognized as one of BestCompaniesAZ’s “100 Best Arizona Companies,” in part because of your workplace culture. What programs and/or policies does your company promote to achieve that level of satisfaction among your workforce?
John Standring
Senior Vice President of Global Servicing Operations
American Express
Sector: Finance
At American Express, we know that great service starts with the people who deliver it. When employees’ work lives meet their personal needs, they are more engaged, committed, creative and effective in driving results. We offer a variety of programs and resources to inspire a culture where diversity is embraced, giving back to the community is encouraged, and overall employee health and well-being is supported, whether physical, financial, psychological or social.
We have a number of Healthy Living programs, ranging from caring for employees’ physical and mental health to offering flexibility outside the office. Our recently enhanced parental leave policy provides employees 20 weeks of full paid time off for new mothers or fathers who are growing their family via pregnancy, adoption or surrogacy. We also have onsite fitness classes, health coaches and wellness centers/nurses on location.
Amex’s commitment to employees and the Phoenix community continues. We are currently constructing a fourth building at our existing Desert Ridge campus where employees will experience a new facility that will include upgraded amenities, covered parking and more.
John Standring is senior vice president of global servicing operations at American Express. Under Standring’s leadership, his teams perform an array of centralized operational activities that enable Amex to fulfill servicing requests, keep customer accounts running smoothly and facilitate spending on products. He also acts as the site lead for the Phoenix market, overseeing colleague engagement, emergency response, site-specific communication, local event sponsorships and more.
Nicole Stanton
Managing Partner, Phoenix Office
Quarles & Brady LLP
Sector: Law
We invest heavily in people’s growth and development — we are a culture of lifelong learners. During their first two years, new associates have their own personal mentor. We also have a formal associate development curriculum. We are similarly dedicated to continuing investment with our firm’s seasoned team members, collaborating with the University of Notre Dame to offer a Certificate in Executive Management, and more.
We also strive to develop traditions that encourage collaboration, teambuilding and fun. Our Capitol School program is something near and dear to us. For nearly 30 years, several times a year we serve as this Title One school’s homeroom parents. This activity creates organic teambuilding opportunities. Other events are focused on celebrating with each other, like our annual baseball day. Each year, we dress in jerseys and enjoy hot dogs and Crackerjacks together while we watch the 2001 World Series (the one where Dbacks were victorious!). Or our regular milestone parties, where we toast champagne and sweets in honor of our team members with 5, 10, 15, 20 and more years of firm service.
Nicole Stanton is Phoenix office managing partner and associate general counsel for the firm. She is a member of the prestigious American Law Institute and a board member of Charter 100 Women. Stanton also serves on the Arizona Equal Justice Foundation board of directors and is the founder of The Dion Initiative for Child Well-Being and Bullying Prevention.
Jon C. Sweet
Executive Vice President and Principal
Ryan, LLC
Sector: Tax Services
Ryan provides a work environment that values innovation, offers clear paths for growth, and allows team members to create their own workflow.
Team members have the freedom and flexibility to meet their demands in whatever way works best for them. Flexible work schedules allow team members to be successful in both their personal and professional lives. Ryan has won numerous awards for its innovative workplace flexibility programs, standing out as an industry leader in encouraging work/life success for team members.
In addition, the team members at Ryan want to make a difference in their communities, both financially and personally. The desire to contribute through community service and charitable acts are part of a Ryan team member’s DNA, as well as a motivator both inside and outside of the office.
In 2011, the Ryan Foundation was created with its main focus being to help organizations that address health, poverty and distress, and educational needs. Examples of the key organizations that benefit from Ryan Foundation include the American Heart Association, Habitat for Humanity and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Jon C. Sweet is the executive vice president and vice chairman, chief marketing strategy officer and principal at Ryan, LLC. Scottsdale, Arizona — an award-winning global tax services and software provider — and a member of the Board of Managers. Sweet holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Finance and Economics degrees from Wheaton College.
