Two years ago, Jason Burrowes-Jones, General Manager, joined T. Rowe Price at the firm's new Technology Development Center in New York City. The overall mandate of the office is to help supercharge the firm's strategic business plans with new engineering capacity and capabilities. “As a general manager at the Center, my role is to ensure that each software developer, engineer, technical architect, and data scientist is enabled to deliver software with maximum efficiency and quality," Jason explains.

Upon joining T. Rowe Price, one of the first things he noticed was the firm's collaborative spirit. “Many associates proactively reached out, welcomed me to the company, and educated me on various aspects of the role so I could be successfully onboarded," he recalls. “It's more of a family atmosphere than what I had experienced at other firms." As part of the New York office, he also immediately observed T. Rowe Price's emphasis on technology— the firm treats it as an integral and vital part of providing clients with financial services. “In many companies, they don't walk the walk," he says. “They may claim they are centered on technology innovation when they're really just trying to operate in business-as-usual mode."

The Technology Development Center's staff of more than 60 associates includes software engineers and data scientists. According to Jason, these professionals are a key asset to the business and true partners of the client. “The capabilities we bring to the table are recognized as part of the decision-making process," he explains. The Center's work in the fields of artificial intelligence and machine learning is even affecting the way T. Rowe Price's associates engage with their clients. “That's because our mission is to use a digital lens to help stakeholders see a different set of goals, reframe problems, and offer possible solutions."

Jason attributes the Center's success to a few qualities all its employees have in common that include: a passion for technology, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to deliver high-quality software. “We are more geared toward delivering software to the business," he admits. “But at the same time, our tech teams get the leeway, autonomy, and flexibility they need to be creative and bring leading-edge solutions to the forefront." The team members at the Technology Development Center are genuinely interested in learning about new technologies and researching them. Plus, according to Jason, they also have the drive to take that knowledge and innovate.

Jason's experience at the Center has shown him that technology is more than just a buzzword at T. Rowe Price, and he's likewise witnessed other ways core values drive the firm's business and culture. “Take corporate social responsibility," he says. “Everywhere else I've worked, employees volunteer just one day a year, and then the company can check off a CSR box. But here, we've actually incorporated CSR as a genuine part of our culture."

He recalls activities with Habitat for Humanity, working in meal kitchens, and volunteering with the Ronald MacDonald House. “We've also hosted an all-girls high school here at the Center to offer a look at a world-class technology organization, what it takes to work here, and ways to achieve that career goal," he says. “It's a key thing that attracts candidates in today's environment. We have to be driven by more than just technology, business, and finance. It's now about: How are you as a company contributing to the world?"

Just as CSR is ingrained in the day-to-day culture at T. Rowe Price, so is diversity and inclusion, he says. “In other companies, they may focus on hiring more people of color one year and more women the next, so they hold one seminar and hire a set quota, and that's it," he explains. At T. Rowe Price, he sees a diverse environment and a commitment to fostering success among associates from all backgrounds.

And because the hiring process includes everyone in the office, he says, it reduces much of the unconscious biases people may have. Multiple associates assess and give feedback on candidates which is incredibly helpful as it takes into account different perspectives. “I believe this way of operating gives us a better shot at a diverse workforce," says Jason. “People are by nature open-minded and welcoming here, which has the added benefit of creating an environment where change is embraced, and creativity in problem-solving is encouraged."