At Graham Company, we have seen firsthand the power of hiring neurodiverse talent and the incredible impact it can have on an organization’s performance, culture and overall brand reputation. In 2018, we hired Thomasina Justice, a neurodiverse individual who proves every day that disabilities don’t limit a person’s potential and has become an integral part of our company culture. Studies reinforce this point, with the Harvard Business Review reporting that companies with neurodiverse hiring programs enjoy productivity gains, quality improvement, boosts in innovative capabilities and broad increases in employee engagement.

With nearly two-thirds of working age adults with intellectual disabilities unemployed, we realized there is a great opportunity for nearly any company – large or small – to take a meaningful step toward addressing this crisis. 

That’s why we convened an important summit to bring together some of our region’s most respected brands who have launched innovative programs aimed at closing the unemployment gap. We were honored to have on our panel senior leadership from the Eagles Autism Challenge, Vertex, SAP, The Wawa Foundation and Independence Blue Cross.

Our goal is simple – we want to share these incredibly positive work experiences so CEOs and HR decision-makers learn more about the issue and understand the next steps to get involved. To keep the momentum growing, we continue to host regular workshops in support of building inclusive work environments.

With Bill as our example, Graham actively supports several organizations that benefit the community, understanding we can have a positive impact beyond just delivering risk management solutions. We have contributed to Philabundance, which aids struggling families, and each year we partake in The Ben to The Shore Bike Tour to help raise money for fallen first responders and children’s charities in the Philadelphia and South Jersey area.

In addition, we have participated in community events and fundraisers to support organizations in New York and Washington, DC, where we have offices. All of our community initiatives have become a key component of Graham’s positive workplace culture and create an atmosphere of goodwill and camaraderie.

Graham Company’s legacy starts with William A. “Bill” Graham, IV, and his vision for doing things differently. Bill Graham became the sole owner of the company in 1972 after working alongside his father William A. Graham, III, for 10 years. When Bill Graham took over, he knew he could take the company to the next level. To differentiate from the competition often described as reactionary and transactional, Bill set out to build a company that took on a unique approach to risk management that was proactive and based on long-term client relationships and mutual trust. In addition, Bill took a contrarian approach to hiring by recruiting the best and brightest professionals from outside the insurance industry and investing heavily in industry-leading training programs. Bill knew you couldn’t teach intelligence and work ethic, but you could teach insurance.

Over the next six decades, Graham grew into one of the largest insurance and employee benefits brokers in the country with offices in Philadelphia, New York City and Washington, DC, and clients in all 50 states. All of this success is a testament to Bill’s leadership and determination, and the nearly 200 likeminded employees who live and breathe unparalleled client service. While we’ve grown to new heights over the last six decades and established ourselves as a national leader, we firmly believe in never resting on our laurels or last year’s accomplishments. We are always looking for ways to better serve our clients, ensuring their businesses move forward because we believe – and know – that Actions Matter®. That’s a legacy built to last.