Elevating Women Honoree

Rochester Business Journal has selected First American Equipment Finance as a 2023 Elevating Women honoree.

The Elevating Women awards shine a light on companies and organizations that have demonstrated tangible efforts and documented results in supporting and empowering women in New York. Nominated companies are judged on documented hiring and promoting of women; leadership positions held by women; advocacy for the cause of women internally and externally; and efforts to cultivate the next generation of women professionals.

“Recognition as a 2023 Elevating Women honoree is incredibly meaningful to our organization,” said Sarah Michael, SVP, Marketing & Digital and founding member of First American’s Women in Business employee resource group. “This award reinforces that when women thrive, the entire organization flourishes – driving innovation, collaboration, and a more equitable future.”

First American has consistently outperformed equipment finance industry standards in promoting gender diversity, with women making up nearly half of its workforce, including 37% in senior leadership positions or higher. Additionally, during the last fiscal year, an impressive 56% of all promotions at First American were earned by women. Within the Executive Team, 43% are women. The company’s dedication to championing women extends beyond these statistics with an established Women in Business employee resource group, pay equity audits to ensure equal pay for equal work, mentorship opportunities, volunteer programs that specifically support girls and women in the community, and a wealth of educational resources designed to foster a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. 

Earlier this year, Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work® ranked First American as a Best Workplace for Millennials™ and a Best Workplace in New York™, and in 2022, as a Best Workplace for Parents™, a Best Medium Workplace™, and a Best Workplace in Financial Services & Insurance™. First American was also recognized on the 2023 PEOPLE Companies That Care® list. Best Companies Group named First American as the #1 Best Company to Work for in New York (250+ FTE) for the sixth consecutive year. Energage named First American the #1 Top Mid-Size Workplace in Rochester (125-399 FTE) and #6 on the Top Workplace in the USA list (150-499 FTE). Selling Power magazine named First American among the Best to Sell For in 2023.