At Rathbun Insurance, Being There Matters Most. Period.

To be there when it matters most for our clients, our staff, and our community, we must prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion—not as a tagline, but as a set of real, meaningful actions.

We know DEI isn’t a destination. It's a journey—and while we acknowledge we still have work to do, we’re proud of the progress we’ve made and the commitments we’ve set. These practices are woven into the fabric of our agency and shape how we show up every day—as our authentic selves—for the people we serve.

We recognize that embracing and celebrating our differences makes us stronger, more empathetic, and better equipped to serve our diverse clientele. That’s why we’re committed to fostering a culture of inclusion in every aspect of our operations.

Our DEI commitments are as follows

We value the diversity of our employees, clients, and community members. This includes—but is not limited to—differences in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and socio-economic status. We believe diverse perspectives drive innovation and promote deeper understanding.

We are actively working to eliminate systemic barriers and create equal opportunities for everyone. Equity at Rathbun shows up in real policies and procedures.

Inclusive Recruitment and Hiring Practices:
We’ve developed structured interview processes and standardized evaluation criteria to reduce bias. We also actively seek candidates from a wide range of backgrounds.

Equitable Compensation and Benefits:
Since 2023, we’ve conducted two compensation studies, including pay equity audits. Our benefits reflect the diverse needs of our staff—offering flexible paid time off, a clothing and cell phone allowance, and 100% employer-paid medical coverage for single employees.

Flexible Work Arrangements:
We offer remote work, flexible schedules, and a compressed workweek (including early Friday closures) to support work-life balance.

Professional Development and Paid Association Memberships:
We support mentorship, networking, and professional growth. We are members of the National African Americans in Insurance Association with, Producer Darren Bardell service as a board member of the Detroit chapter. 

Monthly DEI Training and Cultural Field Trips:
Led by Laurel Tilot-Jezowski, these trainings cover topics like unconscious bias, inclusive leadership, and cultural awareness. When possible, we take field trips to local landmarks that enhance our understanding of DEI in action.

Clear Anti-Discrimination and Harassment Policies:
Our policies explicitly prohibit discrimination and harassment. We offer confidential reporting mechanisms and address concerns swiftly and seriously.

Accessible Facilities and Accommodations:
During our recent building renovation, we upgraded our physical space to meet ADA standards. This includes ramp access and relocating key spaces like conference and break rooms to the first floor. 

Supplier Diversity Programs (In Progress):

A goal for our 2025–2026 fiscal year is to launch a supplier diversity program to source goods and services from minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses.

Regular Assessment and Public Reporting:
We periodically evaluate our DEI efforts and share updates to remain transparent and accountable to our team and community.

We strive to create a culture where every individual feels welcome, respected, and heard. We value open dialogue, diverse perspectives, and inclusive leadership. Everyone deserves a sense of belonging—and we work to ensure each employee can thrive and reach their full potential.

We are steadfast in our rejection of discrimination, bias, and harassment in all forms. We continuously educate ourselves and others on unconscious bias, systemic inequities, and how we can be part of positive change—within our agency and the broader insurance industry.

We hold ourselves accountable. That means continually assessing our policies, tracking our progress, and inviting honest feedback from our employees, clients, and community.

Community Engagement:
We actively engage with our communities to promote DEI values and support initiatives that address social and racial justice. We collaborate with organizations and community leaders working toward equity and inclusion, striving to make a positive impact beyond our business operations. We also put our money where our mouth is—eliminating our traditional marketing and advertising budget and instead directing those funds directly into the community. Annually, we donate roughly $50,000 to support local causes, nonprofits, and community-based initiatives.

Bi-Lingual and Diverse Staff:
We know and acknowledge there is a pressing need to ensure diverse staff are represented at all levels of our organization. In 2024, we proudly welcomed Yuxuan Gao, who is fluent in Mandarin. In 2025, Ricardo Morales joined our team as a marketing and operations specialist and is fluent in Spanish. While we are not yet where we want to be, we are committed to continuing to make strides in this area.

To better serve our community in 2024, we partnered with 7C Lingo to provide professional translation services, allowing us to communicate with clients in their native languages. These efforts help us better support our current and prospective customers in the greater Lansing area. Although budgetary and planning constraints limit immediate expansion, we are actively working to bridge this gap.

At Rathbun Insurance, DEI is not a checkbox—it’s how we do business. By continuing to learn, grow, and hold ourselves accountable, we’re working toward a more just and inclusive future for our industry and our community.