Giving back is woven into Athene’s culture
We are committed to serving our communities by providing charitable gifts through the Athene USA Foundation and volunteering time through company-sponsored volunteer events. Our philanthropic efforts are focused on three key areas: education, human services and health and well-being.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee
Athene has established a CSR Committee, comprised of cross-functional members of management, that is responsible for developing our strategy, setting policies and providing guidance that aligns to our goals and third-party standards. This Committee is overseen by the Athene Board of Directors through the Legal and Risk Committee.
Our employees
Our employees are passionate about contributing to the communities where they live and work. To support their efforts, the Athene USA Foundation provides financial support to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations through two employee-driven programs, Matching Gifts and Dollars for Doers.
Our partnerships
We are proud to partner with local organizations, like the United Way of Central Iowa, to help further their goals while meaningfully connecting our employees to the community through volunteer service.
Our programs
Our two signature programs, Coats & Boots program and the Athene Scholarship at Bermuda College, exemplify the positive impact we make through community outreach efforts.
Athene’s 2019 Corporate Responsibility Report
At Athene, we are driven to outperform — in the marketplace and in our communities. Our debut Corporate Responsibility Report details how we engage our people and our communities.
CEO Jim Belardi’s Commitment
The spirit of our company and its commitment to the community is due in large part to our CEO and founder, Jim Belardi.
- From the Belardi Pool at Stanford University to a new state-of-the art Aquatics Center at Servite High School, Jim provides the impetus to get things done.
- He is an advocate for cancer research and spoke at a City of Hope fundraiser for Dr. Stephen J. Forman’s research on Immunotherapy in New York.
- In addition to his generosity in the community, Jim has been honored with the Tower of Hope award, given by the Tower Cancer Research Foundation. The foundation created a video sharing Jim’s story as a leukemia survivor and his passionate zest for life.
Game Changer Scholars Program
The Game Changer Scholars program was designed to support underrepresented minority students who are Latino/Latina/Latinx/Hispanic and Black/African American in reaching their educational goals. The program supports education initiatives that benefit students who live in Iowa and attend or plan to attend college or university in Iowa, in hopes that we are doing our part in growing diverse talent for the future.
The program is sponsored by the Athene Charitable Foundation and administered by Scholarship America. Deadline for applications is April 5, 2021.
Athene Scholarship in Bermuda
Athene announced a scholarship program in partnership with Bermuda College – the largest of its kind at the college.
Each academic year, the Athene Scholarship will be awarded to 10 students at Bermuda College and will pay for the cost of each student’s two-year degree program and required books. Candidates must be pursuing degrees in any of the following fields of study: Accounting, Actuarial Science, Business, Economics, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Insurance & Risk Management, Legal Studies or Mathematics.
Developing and investing in Bermudian talent is key to the future of the financial services industry on the island.
Environmental impact
Athene’s operational headquarters in West Des Moines was designed and constructed to be a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified building. Within a year of opening, the company attained Gold-level LEED certification.
To combat waste, we implemented campus-wide single-stream recycling for paper, plastic, cardboard, glass and aluminum. Our cafeteria uses reusable dishes and flatware and has taken steps to minimize food waste using an on-site compost system. Technology and automation have streamlined our processes to reduce our print-output.
We continually work to reduce costs and use technology to maximize efficiencies, leaving a positive impact on our environment.
Policies and Codes
Athene places the utmost importance on conducting our business in a legal, honest and ethical manner. We strive to be a company known for its ethical leadership and treating others with integrity, respect and fairness. The policies and codes that govern our business ensure we maintain the company’s high standards of integrity and excellence.
Cybersecurity
Athene is continuously improving our security measures against new and emerging threats to help protect the data privacy of our customers and employees. To help us achieve that objective, we employ a defense strategy that includes a wide range of best practices.
