• Think community.
    Think Deutsche Bank.

    Recent Culture Carrier award-winner Josef discusses how he contributed to elevating the standards of Deutsche Bank’s inclusive work environment.

My managers at Deutsche Bank encourage me to build a brand and reputation with clients and colleagues across the firm.
I’m Josef, an Assistant Vice President within the Investment Banking division in New York City. I joined Deutsche Bank six years ago. For me, the biggest highlight from my time here has been the support of my colleagues, who are the main drivers of my longevity as a graduate hire. Recently, I was honoured to receive an award that celebrated my efforts to make Deutsche Bank an increasingly inclusive workplace. Over 1,000 people voted, which was encouraging and showed how many people here really care about their colleagues.
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I think Deutsche Bank does a great job of attracting people who are focused on the goal of working in a healthy and supportive environment. They have poured resources into Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which aid in increasing inclusivity and understanding, and many of my colleagues take advantage of them.

  • My managers have been committed to putting me in positions to succeed, particularly by taking a thoughtful approach to the type of work I’m assigned and giving me opportunities to build relationships with clients and colleagues across the bank.
  • I have real admiration for the Deutsche Bank senior bankers and draw inspiration from them. I feel I have benefitted from seeing a variety of career journeys and approaches, which has been insightful as I refine my own skills and strategies. A notable figure is my mentor, Sam Chen — he embodies a model of servant leadership that showcases how you can excel at your job while empowering others.
  • I have come to realise that diverse perspectives contribute to better, more sustainable solutions for our clients. Diversity and inclusion are a natural part of how we engage with our people, clients and society.
  • The Black Leadership Forum (BLF), part of the Multicultural Partnership (MCP) ERG, supports Black colleagues and, for me, has offered a real sense of community. It provides an opportunity to forge connections with people who better understand the nuances of working in an intense professional environment like ours as a Black professional. It’s also instrumental in the recruitment and retention of diverse talent.

“Since joining Deutsche Bank six years ago, I’ve seen our leaders create a truly equitable environment that thrives on feedback and empowers everyone to contribute their best work.”

“I’m playing my part by contributing to our Employee Resource Groups, which add a structural layer of support for inclusivity. The people involved in the Black Leadership Forum are energised and committed to increasing inclusivity, and the support from allies enforces this community-building.”

“There are formal and informal programmes which provide professional development that I have found useful. Namely, dbBOLD prepares senior Associates and Assistant Vice Presidents for promotion to Vice President through various training sessions where they can connect with peers across the full platform.”

“When people see that you are committed, you are generally rewarded with more opportunities to distinguish yourself. I’ve found it very easy to find folks willing to take an interest in my work.”