We invite you to download our  2024 Corporate Citizenship and ESG Report. This report includes details on our approach to environmental, social and governance (ESG) programs and metrics in our employer standards, community engagement, environmental policies and risk management practices. Here, we highlight our business resource groups (BRG) which help create a culture of inclusion and diversity at UMB.

What are BRGs?

Business Resource Groups (BRGs) are associate-led groups comprised of associates with common interests across UMB’s offices and locations. These groups are valuable resources to our business lines by enhancing associate engagement and professional development, providing insight to leaders, and embracing and building a more inclusive culture. The best part about our BRGs is that all associates are welcome in every group, regardless of their identity or affiliation. This has led to forging new relationships, business opportunities, nonprofit support, and more.

Involvement in a business resource group also provides associates with leadership development, project and change management opportunities, executive mentorship, community involvement, and networking with colleagues.

Our BRGs are focused on engaging the business, the community and associates, framed by each group’s unique perspective. All BRGs organize and participate in volunteer opportunities throughout the year as another way to support and strengthen connections.

A glimpse into each UMB BRG

Abilities

The mission of the Abilities BRG is to build awareness and create understanding that everyone has unique and valuable abilities. By identifying challenges and opportunities, we disable barriers and heighten awareness. Each year, this group has organized several community involvement opportunities across the country, such as volunteering with The Whole Person‡, as well as sessions on building mental resilience and how to effectively communicate with those who have developmental disabilities.

Abilities BRG chair Josh Palmer, vice president and senior consumer credit officer shares his perspective:

My personal experiences and those of my loved ones led me to realize everyone has a story that deserves listening to and understanding. Too often, we make assumptions about someone or something without really understanding or even knowing the whole picture and their story.  

Open communication is a key first step in fostering inclusivity. You must care to listen and understand the other person’s perspective, including, but not limited to, their wants, thoughts, and needs.  

With the Abilities BRG you are more than a member, you are a difference maker. 

Asian American

The Asian American BRG’s mission is to cultivate awareness and understanding of issues of race, culture, gender, and ethnic identities in support of fostering an inclusive culture that engages and retains Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander talent.

This group hosts a Lunar New Year celebration, is active in the community and at UMB for Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Heritage Month in May.

Current chair, Greg Mitchell, VP/Manager, Privacy & Third Party Risk shared:

BRGs offer a change of pace in the working day, allowing associates to not only feel included and celebrated, but also to allow associates to learn about different cultures and each other. 

B-EPIC (Blacks for Empowering People Through Inclusion and Collaboration)

B-EPIC’s engages Black/African American associates and their allies to facilitate collaboration, unique perspectives, and inclusive dialogue across all aspects of UMB culture.

Over the past year, the group participated in many volunteer opportunities, along with JuneteenthKC as a first-time vendor, and hosted a special Juneteenth event in Kansas City for associates.

BRG Chair, Danielle Bias, vice president, leadership development consultant, shares her perspective:

I was a part of B-EPIC as a member for several years but in 2020 when the Black Lives Matter movement became more prominent I knew I wanted to become more involved. I took the Chair role in April 2021 and I believe in the importance of supporting and uplifting the Black community within our organization. As a member of this group, I saw an opportunity to contribute to fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace. I also wanted to be part of a network of individuals who are passionate about addressing the unique challenges and opportunities Black professionals face. It’s a platform where I can actively participate in initiatives that promote growth, empowerment, and collaboration among our Black colleagues and advocates, and I’m committed to making a positive impact within our organization through these efforts.  

Pride

The Pride BRG aims to continue building a culture that embraces equality and creates an engaged workforce of LGBTQIA+ associates, clients and customers. In 2024, associates attended Pride events in multiple cities and the Pride group was named ERG of the Year from the Mid-America LGBT Chamber in Kansas City.

The Pride Chair, Chelsey Peitz, branch manager shares:

Being a part of the Pride BRG has always made me feel like UMB was saying to me that I was seen as a whole person, there was value to who I was and I mattered to UMB. Therefore, UMB will always matter to me. I also love how the BRGs provide community involvement opportunities. These are the moments I get to go out and demonstrate how incredibly proud I am to work for UMB. I love to wear the merchandise and tell everyone who will listen how this is the best place to be. 

SOMOS

The SOMOS BRG works to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of UMB to recruit, retain and develop Hispanic/Latino talent, and develop client and local connections through community involvement. Somos is derived from the verb “ser” which means “to be”. Somos is the first-person plural verb form which means “we are.”

In 2024, the SOMOS BRG continued to strengthen relationships with several nonprofit partners, such as the Guadalupe Centers Inc., Mattie Rhodes, and the Hispanic Development Fund.

The SOMOS BRG chair, Jenanne Wilson, vice president and talent brand engagement consultant, shares about the impact of BRGs on her career:

The biggest motivator in my career development has been participating in UMB events. It started small…eventually I realized the impact and reach – I was having great conversations, engaging with my community, learning about different lines of business, and most importantly, building relationships. 

Veterans Engagement Taskforce (VET)

The VET BRG offers engagement opportunities for UMB associates who are Veterans, military family members, or passionate about Veteran support. This group is also highly involved in volunteering with organizations that serve Veterans across UMB’s communities.

In addition to many educational and awareness events about the military and Veteran experiences, the BRG hosts Memorial Day and Veterans Day celebrations, and volunteers with organizations supporting people transitioning from military to civilian life, such as the Veteran’s Community Project.

BRG Chair Krysten Daniel assistant vice president, corporate trust relationship manager, shares her perspective:

UMB has given me volunteer hours to use toward my passion and has supported my team and I with events to support the Veteran Community. Our BRGs extend UMB’s approach to integrity—”treat folks like you want to be treated.” It’s an awesome feeling! 

Women’s

The Women’s BRG strives to empower women, and their advocates. This BRG has undertaken several initiatives, including coffee chats with executives, women’s health education, mentorship and career growth guidance, and volunteering with organizations that uplift women in our communities.

BRG Chair, Dana Dorssom, senior vice president, director of corporate compliance explains the work of our Women’s group:

I love to see the Women’s BRG strengthen activities and opportunities towards our mission statement, including facilitating networking opportunities, supporting the local community, and encouraging personal and professional growth within UMB. The Women’s BRG works to actively engage the community through coordinated volunteer opportunities and to develop associates through mentorship and networking opportunities.

Young Professionals

The Young Professionals BRG works to improve UMB’s effectiveness and efficiency in educating, retaining and developing young talent, building a connection with the community, and ensuring young professionals’ voices are leveraged in business strategy.

The group regularly hosts social events and coffee events for networking, along with opportunities to hear from UMB leadership on topics of both personal and professional development.

Young Professionals BRG chair, Haley Hamke, social media manager, shared:

At UMB, our Business Resource Groups empower associates to take ownership of their experience. They offer opportunities for networking across the organization, community involvement, and professional development. What I value most about the BRGs is the welcoming and respectful environment at every event, making it easy to connect and grow your network.

Learn more about UMB’s culture by downloading the 2024 Corporate Citizenship and ESG Report.

To learn more about UMB and our connections to the communities we serve, visit our community involvement page and follow us on Facebook‡ and LinkedIn ‡.

When you click links marked with the “‡” symbol, you will leave UMB’s website and go to websites that are not controlled by or affiliated with UMB. We have provided these links for your convenience. However, we do not endorse or guarantee any products or services you may view on other sites. Other websites may not follow the same privacy policies and security procedures that UMB does, so please review their policies and procedures carefully.