SPRINGFIELD, Mass., April 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- DiversityInc. yesterday announced that Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) has been named to its "25 Noteworthy Companies" list for the fourth year in a row. This year, the company also was named to the list of "Top 10 Companies for LGBT Employees" for the first time, ranking number three.

MassMutual was recognized as a 2014 "25 Noteworthy Company" for strong performance in the four areas measured: Talent Pipeline, Equitable Talent Development, CEO and Leadership Commitment, and Supplier Diversity. In particular, the company was recognized for its representation of women at all levels, even when compared to companies on DiversityInc.'s "Top 50 Companies" list.

"We are honored that DiversityInc. continues to recognize MassMutual's ongoing progress toward creating a diverse and inclusive company and culture," said Lorie Valle-Yanez, vice president and chief diversity officer at MassMutual. "We are deeply committed to diversity and inclusion, which we continually demonstrate within MassMutual's walls and in communities across the U.S."

The company also was ranked number three on the "Top 10 Companies for LGBT Employees" list for 2014. DiversityInc. cited such notable accomplishments as MassMutual's LGBT market-focused webpages, its PRIDE employee resource group (ERG), the company's first responder status to advocate for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), its 100 percent Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Corporate Equality Index (CEI) Rating, and corporate support of several national LGBT organizations.

"MassMutual is in business to help all Americans secure their futures and protect the ones they love, which is why it is so critically important that we strive to keep pace with the evolving U.S. population," said Mike Fanning, executive vice president, U.S. Insurance Group, MassMutual, and executive sponsor of the company's PRIDE ERG. "I am grateful for and give a tremendous amount of credit to the members of our PRIDE ERG for their tireless efforts in building a strong inclusive culture at MassMutual and for cultivating relationships nationally and locally to help us be the best in serving the needs of our many customers."

Additionally, MassMutual has been recognized for the past several years for its strong commitment to diversity and inclusion by the National Association of Female Executives, Working Mother, Uptown Professional and LatinaStyle.

MassMutual's recognition as a top company for LGBT employees underscores its commitment to diversity and inclusion and to delivering on the company's purpose. Specifically, MassMutual:

• Worked on, and was one of the first to join, the historic "friend of the court" brief for the repeal of DOMA, is a member of the HRC Business Coalitions for Benefits Tax Equity and for Repealing DOMA and was one of the companies in Arizona to sign the Unity Pledge against the controversial bill allowing business owners the right to refuse service to customers who do not practice their own religious beliefs.
• Nationally, sponsors the NGLCC (National Gay and Lesbian Chambers of Commerce), Out and Equal Workplace Advocates, GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network), and Gay Games IX in Cleveland in August. Locally, sponsors the Northampton, Mass. "NoHo" Pride Parade, the Western Massachusetts AIDS Foundation, the Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective, and the Hartford Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.
• Internally, established its thriving PRIDE ERG, in addition to seven other ERGs with employees from traditionally underrepresented groups and allies.

For more information about MassMutual's commitment to diversity and inclusion, visit www.massmutual.com. To see all of the companies on the 2014 DiversityInc.'s 2014 Top 50 Companies for Diversity and the DiversityInc. Specialty Lists, visit DiversityInc.com.

About MassMutual

Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyowners. The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyowners consistently since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company's strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term.

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, LLC, Member FINRA and SIPC; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB.

For more information, visit www.massmutual.com or find MassMutual on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Google+ and Pinterest.

SOURCE MassMutual