American Express

We met with small business owner Chrissy Cook to discuss how her business, MADE Jewelry, has grown and how she spent this year’s Small Business Saturday. “The day shines a light on the importance of shopping small all year round,” she said. “Supporting the local makers, dreamers, and doers who run small businesses directly benefits the local economy and creates a more vibrant community.” Read more: https://go.amex/SKr2GW

Clad, a boutique in Asheville, NC, is a recipient of a Small Business Hurricane Recovery grant. American Express, in collaboration with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, launched the program to support small businesses in their journey to recovery from the devastation of recent hurricanes, including Hurricane Helene. Clad is planning to use their grant funding to replace revenue lost during the slow tourism season, and they want to remind others that shopping small during the holidays helps businesses thrive. Read more and learn if you’re eligible and how to apply for the grants here: https://go.amex/1pXLSy

American Express, in collaboration with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, launched the Small Business Hurricane Recovery grant program to support small businesses like blacksmith and leather workshop Night Owl Iron Works rebuild and recover. They hope to use the grant funding to replace revenue lost in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Read more and learn if you’re eligible and how to apply for the grants here: https://lnkd.in/eeic5zf8

On this year’s Small Business Saturday, American Express raised over $5 million to support a second round of Small Business Hurricane Recovery grants through its giving pledge. This is in addition to the $5 million the company committed to the grant program, which was launched in collaboration with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation in October to help support small businesses impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. “We’re committed to extending our longstanding support of small businesses to help those that were devastated by the hurricanes this fall,” said Jennifer Skyler, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, American Express. “We’ve heard first-hand from small business owners about the impact our initial grant funding had on their recovery, but there’s still work to do. Many small businesses are still struggling, and we hope that this second round of Small Business Hurricane Recovery grants will help them recover and prosper again.” Read more and learn if you’re eligible and how to apply for the grants here: https://lnkd.in/ekUcgD_X

It’s #TeamAmex Tuesday! Today, Kevin from Connecticut shares how our Healthy Living program helped him transform his life, both personally and professionally: I’m Kevin, a Senior Manager in Digital Product Management, and I’ve been with Amex since 2000. In my role, I spend about 60% of my time on the road and eat out a lot. I felt the need to improve my health and overall eating habits but wasn’t sure where to begin – that’s when I reached out to the Amex Healthy Living program. I started meeting with my own personal Wellness Coach (for free!) and also got exclusive access to a popular healthy weight program. This combination of support gave me the tools I needed to make healthier choices while eating out, along with easy exercises to do in my hotel room. In the last 18 months, I’ve lost 110 pounds, my cholesterol and blood pressure are now in the target ranges, and I feel a new sense of energy and focus. Thanks to Amex’s support, I’m giving myself the chance to live a long, healthy life and I can be my best self for both my family, and my team. Find your place on #TeamAmex: https://lnkd.in/eJPA7P-8 The official terms of the American Express benefit plans or programs mentioned above are described in the relevant plan or program documents and are subject to change or termination.

We are honored to be included on Fast Company’s 2024 Brands that Matter list. This is a recognition of our cultural relevance and the emotional, authentic connections we forge with our customers, communities, and colleagues through marketing efforts.   Our very own Elizabeth Rutledge, Chief Marketing Officer, American Express, has also been recognized as one of FastCo’s 2024 CMOs of the year. Elizabeth and her team protect, defend, and innovate Amex’s nearly 175-year-old brand every day. Well-deserved, Elizabeth!   See the list here: https://lnkd.in/g_Tu5ppc

We’re honored to rank No. 5 on Great Place To Work US’s 2024 list of Best Workplaces for Parents, marking our fifth time among the top 10 companies. This year we are also the highest placed financial services company.   This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to back our colleagues’ holistic well-being through moments that matter. Whether colleagues are planning to grow their family, preparing children for college, or caring for elderly loved ones, we’re proud to support #TeamAmex parents and caregivers with best-in-class benefits, resources and opportunities to thrive both at work, and in life.    Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/esZGqEe8

Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated small businesses like Coconut Inn, a beloved beach inn focused on providing guests with the best local experience during their vacations. As a grant recipient of the Small Business Hurricane Recovery grant program from American Express and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, they hope to use the funding to support staff who have suffered financially due to fewer bookings and to make repairs. American Express has a longstanding commitment to supporting small businesses. Learn more about the program here: https://go.amex/RtzzNP

Congratulations to Monique Herena, American Express Chief Colleague Experience Officer, who was inducted as a Fellow into the National Academy of Human Resources (NAHR). The recognition is the most prestigious honor in the HR field and acknowledges exceptional leaders for their standout achievements and contributions to their organizations, the HR profession and society at large. In a newly published interview, she discussed her approach to leading large-scale change and transformation with HR Executive. “You really want to respect the past and have the right context and history of the business you’re in—without getting caught up in the past,” Herena said. “You have to build on the best of the best but know where you sit today relative to other companies and push where you can be better, where you can innovate, where you can be more competitive.” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g7uHeywg

The 15th Small Business Saturday drove support for small businesses in the US, with consumers reporting spending an estimated $22 billion, according to an American Express survey. Learn more about how Amex celebrated this milestone year in Charleston and the impact Small Business Saturday has made for small businesses: https://lnkd.in/eTy6gKxJ