2015 Diversity Leader
Ryder System, Inc.
Headquarters: Miami, Florida
CEO: Robert Sanchez
Employees: 28,900
Recent Recognition Includes:
- CivilianJobs.com, Most Valuable Employers for Military, 2013 and 2014
- Office of the Secretary of Defense, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, 2014
- GMSHRM, Diversity in Action Award, 2012
- Florida Diversity Council, Most Powerful and Influential Woman Award (CMO Karen Jones), 2014
- Florida Diversity Council, Florida Glass Ceiling Award (VP of HR Amparo Bared), 2014
- Legacy Miami Magazine, South Florida’s Most Powerful Black Professionals in Business and Industry (Group Director Samuel Johnson), 2014
- Legacy Magazine, Black Leaders of Today & Tomorrow (Senior Financial Analyst Gershon Blyden), (2014)
- Legacy Magazine, 50 Most Powerful Black Professionals in South Florida (VP of Maintenance and Quality Operations Mel Kirk), 2013
- com, 50 Influentials (VP & Controller, Finance Cristy Gallo-Aquino), 2013
- Poder, Top Hispanic Executives (Chairman & CEO Robert Sanchez), 2013
- Hispanic Executive, Top Leaders (Robert Sanchez), 2013
- Profiles in Diversity Journal, Women Worth Watching, (VP & General Counsel Flora Perez), 2013
Kirk Imhof
Led by our Diversity and Inclusion Council, we’re creating an inclusive workplace where all talent can thrive, says Kirk Imhof, Group Director, Culture, Diversity & Inclusion, and Engagement
“Ryder fosters an inclusive culture, where leaders engage employees and embrace diversity in order to innovate, pursue the mission, and build on company values. Our Diversity and Inclusion Council, established in 2009 and led by Chairman and CEO Robert Sanchez, consists of senior and executive leaders from across the company. The Council’s mission is to recommend diversity and inclusion initiatives that attract, develop, and optimize best-in-class talent, while supporting the achievement of Ryder’s business objectives.
“The Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF), another example Diversity & Inclusion leadership at Ryder, holds quarterly regional events open to male and female managers and above. The WLF also hosts a two-and-a-half-day event, where Ryder’s female directors and above come together to network, participate in interactive workshops, and identify career development resources. The vision of the WLF is to support an environment that attracts talented women and empowers them to develop and thrive. WLF programming focuses on optimizing a culture of inclusion, mentoring/sponsoring, networking, career development, and work/life balance.
“Ryder also has a strong commitment to hiring veterans, demonstrated by its partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative. As of June 2013, 10 percent of Ryder’s employee population consisted of veterans. This reflects an increase of 25 percent since Ryder began its partnership with Hiring Our Heroes in November 2011.”
