All posts by Aaron Ricci

We’re proud to share that Experian has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Employers for Company Culture, jumping 230 places to rank #85 in just the second year of the list. This recognition reflects what our people experience every day: a culture shaped by appreciation, inclusion, and meaningful feedback, where employees are supported to grow, contribute, and do their best work. The Forbes list is built on independent employee feedback, assessing how consistently organizations live their values, build trust, and create environments where people feel respected and heard. Being named among America’s best reinforces that our culture is not accidental. It’s intentional. It’s inseparable from how we innovate, including how we responsibly develop and use AI, to create better outcomes for employees, clients, and consumers. Experian’s Chief Talent Officer Lesley Wilkinson was recently invited to talk about how culture, trust, and innovation come together at Experian at the Great Place to Work For All Summit and shared some of her sentiments. Q: What does the Forbes recognition say about Experian’s culture today?A: It tells us that our culture of appreciation, feedback, and inclusion is resonating. When people feel trusted and supported, they’re more engaged, and that fuels better ideas, collaboration, and performance. Q: How does AI innovation fit into Experian’s culture?A: Trust comes first at Experian. We’re a trusted institution for clients, consumers, and our employees, and that responsibility shapes how we innovate with AI. We view AI as an enabler, not a solution in itself. AI can help people make better, faster, and more informed decisions. Our “humans in the lead” approach ensures that fairness, transparency, and accountability remain non‑negotiable. Technology supports our work, but human judgment stays firmly in charge. Q: Why is trust so central to Experian’s success?A: Trust connects everything we do. Our employees trust our leadership, and millions of clients and consumers trust us with their data. Building and protecting that trust enables innovation, strengthens relationships, and drives long-term growth. Learn more about Experian’s award-winning workplace culture by clicking here.

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40), co-chair of the Financial Literacy and Wealth Creation Caucus, to talk about something that affects millions of people every day: financial access.  In that conversation, one thing became clear: broadening access to financial resources starts with equipping people with financial knowledge. When people understand how the financial system works, including how lending decisions are made and what options are available, they’re better positioned to make informed choices and plan for the future.  But that’s not always easy.  Families today are navigating real affordability pressures, from everyday expenses to finding fair and affordable financial options. And as we discussed, many consumers learn by doing, often making decisions without fully understanding the long-term impact. I’ve seen that firsthand, and it reinforces why access to clear, timely information is so important.  That’s why financial literacy isn’t just important, it’s foundational.  It also has to be practical. Effective financial education starts with meeting consumers where they are. Every person begins their financial journey in a different place, and the right tools at the right time can make a meaningful difference, whether someone is building credit, managing expenses, or planning for the future.  We also discussed the need to modernize how we think about financial data. Today, many consumers demonstrate responsible financial behavior every day, such as paying rent, utilities, and other recurring bills, but not all of that activity is reflected in traditional systems.  Expanding the way we look at financial behavior can help create a more complete picture — one that allows more consumers to access the financial tools and opportunities they need to move forward.  If there’s one takeaway from our conversation, it’s this: talking about money matters.  Too often, those conversations are avoided. But when we normalize them, we help people build confidence, ask better questions, and make more informed decisions.  At Experian, we’re focused on helping make those conversations easier, helping more people feel informed, supported, and equipped to move forward with confidence.