DEI is the foundation of many of the companies Fair360, formerly DiversityInc works with, and to stay on top of initiatives, companies have changed their DEI policies — or DEI mindset, as one of our partners put it.
In the first installment of our newest recurring “Question of the Month” series, we chatted with a few of our partners to answer burning questions around DEI topics that are top of mind right now. To read the full story, become a Fair360 Enterprise subscriber today.
Q: How has your DEI policy changed in recent years — did you add or omit things or make a policy shift based on recent events? Please give specific examples.
Randall Tucker, Chief Inclusion Officer, Mastercard (ranked No. 5 on The Fair360, formerly DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list in 2021): “We think about DEI less as a policy and more as a mindset at Mastercard. It’s about how we get things done with inclusion and decency as guiding values across all that we do, from our hiring practices, to attracting new customer segments, to engaging in the communities that we serve. Our thinking continues to evolve just as other parts of the business do to remain relevant with the current social environment and stakeholder expectations. Now, more than ever, there is a need to be clear about commitments and providing proof points about how you’re meeting them.”
Laura Long, Vice President of Operations, Performance, and Compliance, National Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity (NEID), Kaiser Permanente (a Fair360, formerly DiversityInc Hall of Fame company): “Throughout Kaiser Permanente’s 75-plus years, we have consistently taken a stand for equity, inclusion and diversity, which are inextricably linked to our mission and serve as a foundation upon which our enterprise has been built.”
Patricia Rossman, Chief Diversity + Inclusion Officer, BASF Corporation (ranked No. 12 on the Fair360, formerly DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list in 2021): “At BASF, our DEI policy and commitments have remained constant and deeply rooted in our values. Diversity + Inclusion are fundamental to how we create chemistry for a sustainable future. The different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives that our people bring to solving our customers’ challenges are critical to driving innovation and growth. They also make BASF a great place to work. This has not and will not change.
“What has changed, influenced by the tragic, traumatic and polarizing events of recent years, are the actions we are taking to advance diversity, equity and inclusion. BASF introduced a series of Courageous & Compassionate Conversations where we stopped and really listened to the experiences of our colleagues and learned from each other.
Q: How do you see your DEI policies and practices evolving over the next 5 years?
Tucker: “Less talk, more action! There will continue to be a greater need for brands to hold ourselves accountable for our commitments and show progress is being made.”
Long: “Equity is a long-term, foundational commitment in our enterprise strategy, ensuring that our actions are planned and executed with equity as a primary objective.”
Rossman: “While BASF’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will remain fundamental to who we are and how we operate, we will continue to evolve in how we demonstrate that commitment.”
