To expand its commitment to diversity and inclusion, Sodexo launched the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board (DIAB) in 2010. The board is composed of a group of highly respected leaders, academicians and entrepreneurs from outside the organization with specific areas of expertise representing diverse communities. DIAB members act as external ambassadors and internal advisors, providing input on company initiatives and representing Sodexo in the community. The group also works to help the company stay focused on making progress on its diversity and inclusion objectives.
After its initial meeting in October 2010, the DIAB identified specific goals to guide its work. In the shortterm, the board is focusing on strengthening engagement with the LGBT and disabilities communities. The DIAB is also devising diversity and inclusion strategies to engage middle managers within the different business lines.
For the longer-term, the DIAB will focus on providing guidance around more large-scale issues and trends impacting the business such as changing demographics and connections to marketplace and workplace decisions. The DIAB also provides guidance to the overall business strategy as it relates to supplier diversity and the urban schools strategy.
Members of the Sodexo Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Board include:
- Eliza Byard – Executive Director of GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network;
- Michael Chen – President and CEO of Media, Communications, and Entertainment, GE Capital and Vice President and Officer, GE;
- Cari Dominguez – Former Chair of the U.S. EEOC and current member of the Board of Directors, Manpower, Inc.;
- Alexis Herman – Former Secretary of the Department of Labor and Chairman and CEO, New Ventures, Inc.;
- John Hofmeister – Founder & CEO, Citizens for Affordable Energy and former President, Shell Oil Company;
- John D. Kemp – Partner, Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville PC (PPSV) and Executive Director and General Counsel, U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN); and
- Thomas S. Williamson Jr. – Partner, Covington & Burling and Board Member, National Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs.