Prior to moving into the fintech industry, AJ spent several years at DePaul University doing research and teaching classes on various D&I subjects. In their time at Braintree, AJ established themselves as a leader in D&I conversations and founded the company’s Diversity and Inclusion Program. They started by administering a comprehensive set of assessments to establish a benchmark and create a framework for a D&I roadmap. Recent successes include the establishment of an in-house team of employees to develop and facilitate a Braintree-specific training program and the establishment of a number of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). As the D&I Lead, they continue to work across all levels of the company to advocate for culture change that creates and maintains inclusive institutional practices. They also partner closely with Braintree’s recruiting team to develop strategies to diversify Braintree’s pipeline and promote more inclusive hiring practices.