CRAIN’S Nominates Jason Bierkle As Notable Executive in DEI

Creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace is the right thing to do — and research shows it’s good for business. These leaders have championed DEI in their organization as CEOs, chief diversity officers and VPs, operations and human resource directors and as advocates and volunteers. They’ve done the work to help people have uncomfortable conversations, implemented creative and effective trainings and focused on equity and justice in their communities.The leaders featured in this report were selected by a team of Crain’s Detroit Business editors based on their career accomplishments, track record of success in the field and effectiveness of their efforts, as outlined in a detailed nomination form.

Founded in 1971 as Diversified Data & Communications, the company provided paper billing services to clients. Under Jason Bierkle’s direction, DivDat began using kiosk, mobile, web and phone payment solutions to drive social change and eliminate predatory convenience fees along with other costs associated with paying bills which prohibits more than 20 percent of Americans from having checking accounts and credit cards.

To ensure its solutions are equitable, DivDat developed an ambassadors’ program, comprised of minority employees, where people who speak English, Spanish and Arabic walk people through the touch-screen process at new kiosks. About 100,000 area residents use the fee-free kiosks to pay their bills.“

No longer will our customers have to wait in line at a DWSD Customer Care Center to pay their water bill, or rearrange their schedule to come to our centers. Many of the kiosk locations are open seven days a week. We are pleased to join DTE Energy and the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office on the DivDat Payment KioskNetwork,” said Gary Brown, director of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department.

Notable Executives in DEI was managed and written by Leslie D. Green. For questions about this report, contact Special Projects Editor Amy Bragg: abragg@crain.com.

To learn more about the Notable Executives in DEI visit: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/awards/notable-executives-diversity-equity-and-inclusion.