Why diversity, equity and inclusion is more than just a corporate buzzword to this finance exec

Living in multiple states and cities when he was growing up taught him to embrace diverse perspectives, said Vinay Surana, the regional managing director for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa at insurance giant Allianz Partners.

This appreciation for different cultures and beliefs would come in handy throughout his career, where he worked in three continents and six countries.

"It was this foundation of appreciating the diversity of perspectives and including different people from different backgrounds into the team that allowed me to be successful," he told CNBC's My Biggest Lessons.

He believes diversity, equity and inclusion are crucial factors in attracting and retaining talent and engaging employees.

"(It] helps create a healthy workplace where each individual is comfortable in who they are, and they're comfortable to bring their real self to the workplace. It helps reduce unconscious biases and it helps fuel innovation," he said.

Watch the full video for the rest of Surana's lessons.