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As the world’s largest producer of rolled aluminum, Novelis provides material for cans for
Anheuser-Busch and the Coca-Cola Company; automotive products for Ford, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo; and building materials for construction, consumer goods, and industrial applications. Internally, Novelis focuses on creating inclusion and belonging opportunities for its Latino and Hispanic employees. Last year, the organization announced the launch of its first Hispanic and Latino employee resource group (ERG) for the USA and Canada, ¡HOLA!
The ERG celebrated Hispanic Heritage month at Novelis by promoting Hispanic and Latino culture, supporting professional development, and embracing diversity and inclusion through a series of events in the US and Canada. Events include a pebre cooking class, virtual trivia and quizzes, and guest speakers.
Hispanic Organization for Leadership and Advancement (HOLA) chapters have been created at organizations across North America since 2002 with the aim of promoting principles of leadership and employee self-development, creating mentoring opportunities and networking activities, and highlighting educational and development opportunities.
At Novelis, Edgar Acosta Chaparro acts as an executive sponsor for ¡HOLA! The vice president of rewards and systems is a Colombia native and human resources information system professional with more than eighteen years of leadership in Fortune 500 companies. Chaparro has led functional and technical cross functional teams, initiated and led key HR technology initiatives and roadmaps, and perfected communication with C-suite executives across business, HR, and IT.
Chaparro is motivated by organizations that strongly support improving user experience and foster the development of innovative solutions to help businesses make sound decisions regarding human capital. The VP is a twelve-year veteran of Novelis who began at the company as an HR partner and later became a full-time director of HRIS for North American payroll.
The VP has been promoted virtually every other year at Novelis; his latest role places him in charge of shaping and executing the global compensation strategy, benefits strategy, and HR processes and technology for Novelis’ global organization. Chaparro’s mission to maintain Novelis as an employer of choice has been strengthened by initiatives like the launch of ¡HOLA!
According to a McKinsey report, 66 percent of employees believe that their ERG is effective at fostering a sense of community. The first official ERG in the US, the Xerox National Black Employees Caucus, was formed in 1970. Today, nine out of ten Fortune 500 companies have ERGs.
The same McKinsey report found that while many companies believe their DEI aspirations are transformative, infrastructure is still an area where ERGs need significant improvement and support. High-performing ERGs clearly state their goals and mission and are able to tie their goals to broader company DEI strategy. A strong ERG cultivates a charter that detail its strategic objectives and drafts annual reports that outline how it’s working toward those goals. The study also highlights the importance of defining accountability for initiatives, establishing metrics to assess the impact of initiatives and programs, and soliciting feedback and adjusting goals as necessary.
When leaders like Chaparro are willing to step up and sponsor their internal ERGs, it not only builds credibility with the wider business, but demonstrates that leaders are willing to devote time and talent to creating community and helping employees feel recognized and a valuable part of a greater whole.
Building community is especially important for an organization like Novelis that has sites in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Along with supporting its internal employees, Novelis is known for its employees donating thousands of hours each year to programs that benefit the communities in which Novelis exists. Three of its long-standing partnerships include Habitat for Humanity, FIRST Robotics, and Discovery Education.
We are proud to be working with Edgar Chaparro and his team as they tackle today’s workforce challenges. Mercer and its clients are redefining the world of work, reshaping retirement, and investment outcomes, and unlocking real health and well-being. We do this by meeting the needs of our clients. Mercer is part of Marsh McLennan, the world’s leading professional services firm in risk, strategy and people. We work side by side across disciplines, industries, businesses and borders to solve our clients’ most complex problems.
