Boeing : makes strides in diversity and inclusion

Boeing makes strides in diversity and inclusion May 10, 2019 in Community

DiversityInc

Boeing has made diversity and inclusion a strategic priority - and external validators have taken notice. On May 7, it was announced that Boeing ranked 32nd out of more than 1,800 companies that participated in DiversityInc's 2019 Top 50 Companies for Diversity survey - moving up 17 spots from No. 49 last year. Boeing also was ranked No. 2 among the top companies for veterans, No. 9 on the list of top companies for people with disabilities, and No. 10 on the list of top companies for mentoring and sponsorship.

'The most important investment Boeing makes is in our people,' said Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing chairman, president and CEO. 'We're intentionally becoming more diverse and focusing on inclusion because we know it will make us a better company. That's why we've set bold goals in these areas, and they're making a difference.'

Muilenburg affirmed our commitment to diversity and inclusion in a recent internal employee message, stating diversity and inclusion are important to ensure everyone feels respected, empowered and part of the team, and they're also a business imperative. It was also an important topic among senior leaders at the Boeing Leadership Meeting earlier this year.

The company's 2025 diversity goals include reaching full representation of women and minorities at availability for the U.S. workforce; increasing non-U.S. population to 25 percent; increasing employee engagement and inclusion to top quartile; increasing opportunities by 25 percent for small and medium diverse suppliers around the world who perform work for Boeing; and to be recognized as a top company for diversity and inclusion by external validators such as DiversityInc.

'We know our success relies on our ability to honor and celebrate the best in everyone, from every background and country, every race, every gender identity and orientation, disability, and military status,' said Sara Bowen, vice president of Global Diversity & Inclusion. 'Diversity and inclusion aren't nice to have, they're a business necessity.'

To see the complete Top 50 list and read more about Boeing's entry, go to the DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity.

Best for vets

Boeing delivers innovative and agile equipment, capability and services to the nation's military, but it is equally invested ensuring military forces maintain an advantage after their service is done. Noticed for these commitments, in addition to the DiversityInc ranking, Boeing also earned a spot on Military Times' Best for Vets list this week - No. 24, up from No. 31 last year.

Boeing also has received various other recent awards and accolades for its commitment to veterans, including:

• Military Friendly Company - No. 8, Over 1 Billion category, 2019
• Military Friendly Employer - Gold, Over 1 Billion category, 2019
• Military Friendly Brand - No. 3, Over 1 Billion category, 2019
• Top Veteran-Friendly Company, U.S. Veterans Magazine, 2016 - 2018
• Monster.com's Best Companies for Veterans, 2017 (No. 10) and 2016 ( No. 9)

Annually, Boeing and employees support more than 800 military and veteran events, programs and organizations, such as USO Pathfinder; Bunker Labs; Hire Heroes USA; Dog Tag Inc.; Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS); National Center for Veterans Studies (NCVS) and Homes for Our Troops.

Boeing and employees have contributed more than $80 million to veterans initiatives in the last five years, in addition to sponsorships, memberships and donations to military and veteran programs and organizations.