MassMutual Brings Three Experts in Diversity Onboard to Better Serve Multicultural Marketplace

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., March 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) announced that three new professionals are playing major roles in the Diversity & Inclusion and Multicultural Market Development, furthering the company's growing leadership presence in that field.

Kate Karasmeighan, Supplier Diversity Consultant, is driving the company's supplier diversity strategy. Prior to coming to MassMutual, Karasmeighan held positions with the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Institute and led the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce's (NGLCC) interactions between the national, Washington DC-based organization and more than 45 state and local GLBT chambers of commerce. Karasmeighan reports to Megan Nolan, Assistant Vice President of Supplier Management at MassMutual.

Sarah Pashe has taken a new role in Diversity & Inclusion to lead the company's strategic focus for veterans and people with disabilities, including attracting, developing and retaining the best talent for MassMutual. Pashe is a founding member of the company's EASE employee resource group for people with disabilities, their caregivers and allies, comes from a military family and is a person with a disability. She previously held roles with MassMutual for the past 13 years in Human Resources, Benefits and Communications and now reports to Lorie Valle-Yanez, Chief Diversity Officer at MassMutual.

Evan Taylor leads MassMutual's African-American initiative with a focus on raising the company's profile in the African-American market and building its sales force to better reflect the communities that they serve. Taylor brought with him a variety of experience from State Farm, ranging from responsibility for the development and execution of State Farm's strategic operations and business plans nationally, to work in public affairs and community involvement for State Farm bank. Taylor reports to Chris Mendoza, Vice President of Multicultural Markets at MassMutual.

"Kate, Sarah and Evan's new positions serve to enhance MassMutual's growing and recognized reputation in the Diversity & Inclusion area," said Valle-Yanez. "For several years, our company has made steady progress in the recruiting and retaining of diverse employees and sales force, as well as increased its understanding of and work with multicultural markets across the country," she added.

MassMutual has been recognized over the past year by Working Mother, DiversityInc., NAFE, and the Human Rights Campaign.

For more information about MassMutual's successful Diversity & Inclusion programs, logon to the 2012 Diversity & Inclusion Report.

About MassMutual

Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyowners. The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyowners consistently since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company's strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term.

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, LLC, Member FINRA and SIPC; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB.

For more information, visit www.massmutual.com or find MassMutual on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Google+.

CONTACTS:
Karen Lavariere-Sanchez 
413.744.7660
[email protected] 

SOURCE MassMutual