ISBC 2017 Form 10-K & 2018 Proxy Statement

25 Our strong sense of community is one of our main core values and we make this part of the onboarding experience for our new employees through volunteer opportunities in the communities we serve. In addition to many volunteer hours dedicated, we proudly promote a higher quality of life in the communities we serve in New Jersey and New York through our Charitable Foundations. Through the Investors Charitable Foundation, established in 2005, and the Roma Charitable Foundation, which we acquired in December 2013, Investors Bank has contributed or committed $27.9 million in donations to enrich the lives of New Jersey and New York citizens by supporting initiatives in the arts, education, youth development, affordable housing, and health and human services. This community involvement and team orientation are incorporated into our annual performance reviews. Our contributions to community-based organizations are just a part of the commitment we make. We believe that we have an obligation to support the communities we serve by balancing the needs of our stockholders, employees, customers and communities. Our business practices and policies also promote social responsibility, both environmentally and industry-related, to promote responsible growth. We continuously focus on our economic, social and corporate governance responsibilities to grow in a sustainable manner. Diversity and Inclusion Investors Bancorp engenders a committed, caring and inclusive environment. We recognize that maintaining a diverse workforce is essential to our Company’s growth. We reinforce this commitment through ongoing efforts to reflect and adapt to the changing demographics of the communities where we live and work. Our recruitment efforts at all levels of the Company are centered on our commitment to attract diverse established and emerging talent. We continue to focus on ethnic and gender representation throughout our Company, including our leadership positons. As part of this strategy, the Company’s Human Resources Group regularly develops action plans and strategies to identify areas of opportunity for recruitment, development and retention of a diverse workforce. In 2016, the Company established its W.O.M.E.N. Together Leadership Council. The W.O.M.E.N Together initiative was formed with the purpose of supporting and enriching the careers of the women of Investors Bancorp. While the Council is women-focused, all employees - male and female - are invited and encouraged to participate in its events and activities. The W.O.M.E.N (Women, Opportunity, Mentoring, Empowering and Nurturing) Together Leadership Council is comprised of approximately 50 women leaders from all areas of the Company who work together to empower current and future women leaders by enhancing their personal and professional wellbeing. The Council’s goal is to encourage women’s professional development through the sharing and exchanging of ideas, as well as promoting and influencing their professional lives through networking events, coaching and mentoring programs and internal exchange of ideas and experiences. In 2016, to further support and enhance our commitment to attract and develop a pool of emerging and diverse future leaders, the Company, through its Human Resources Group, recruited students from various colleges and universities within our communities for our Commercial Management Associates (“CMA”) Program. The CMA Program was designed to develop individuals into well-rounded banking professionals who can support and service our existing commercial clients and develop new clients as well. Our management team interviewed more than 100 applicants for 15 positions. The individuals selected were of various gender and ethnic backgrounds. Our CMA associates received classroom education in credit, financial analysis, loan structure and other relevant areas. They also benefited from rotation through various departments, as well as additional professional and interpersonal skills growth and development opportunities. Upon their graduation from the CMA Program, our CMA associates assumed positions within the Company and provide valuable contributions to our business. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is fully supported by our Directors, Executive Management and employees. This commitment is central to our mission and values, which are built on our four core values PROXY STATEMENT