Diversity, equity, and inclusion at leading tech companies

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DEI Spotlight - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Amwell banner image

DEI Spotlight - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Amwell

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One of the top goals for many companies in the tech industry is to focus on building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce. It is also one of our top goals at VentureFizz in terms of helping to support companies on this important mission.

Companies have different approaches as it relates to how they are addressing their diversity, equity, and inclusion goals, so we thought that it would be valuable to profile companies and what they are doing to accomplish their DEI initiatives.

We connected with Amwell, a leading digital care delivery enablement platform, connecting and enabling providers, insurers, patients, and innovators to deliver greater access to more affordable, higher quality care. They support the full spectrum of care needs and power digital health solutions for over 2,000 hospitals, and 55 health plan partners with over 36,000 employers, reaching over 90 million lives. 


Please provide a high level statement supporting your DEI mission and objectives?

Amwell’s DEI mission is to educate our organization what diversity, equity and inclusion mean to our employees, elevate our company’s inclusiveness through candid reflection, targeted programs and a culture of openness, and celebrate the rich diversity within our teams. We conduct events, discussions and festivities designed to open dialogue and share employee perspectives and experiences. We seek to grow and evolve on a daily basis, reaching toward industry best practices and following the guidance of DEI thought leaders.

What is Amwell doing to attract a more diverse workforce?

At Amwell, we recognize the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. To attract a more diverse workforce, we are implementing several strategies and initiatives. 

Firstly, we have reviewed and will continue to review our job postings to ensure the language is inclusive, and we are posting our job openings in a variety of places to attract a more diverse pool of applicants. We are also partnering with organizations that serve underrepresented communities such as Hack Diversity.

Secondly, we have implemented and continuously look to improve our inclusive recruitment practices to identify and eliminate any biases and ensure that our interview panels are diverse. 

Thirdly, we are providing diversity training to our current employees to help them understand the importance of diversity and inclusion. This will help create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all. 

Lastly, we are reviewing our benefits and policies to ensure they are inclusive. For example, offering flexible work arrangements and providing unlimited PTO to give employees the chance to honor and celebrate days that may be of importance to their religion, culture, or ethnic background. 

Can you share all the different Employee Resource Groups at Amwell?

Employee Resources Groups (ERGs) are a significant focus for our committee this year, as we recognize the impact of scaling focused groups of a specific dimension of diversity to our professional and local communities.

What other programs do you have to support your DEI initiatives?

Amwell has an internal committee of individuals focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion to help assess our current state, identify goals and build better business practices to support our commitment to equal opportunity for all. This group focuses on grassroots events, recruiting and retention, talent management, procurement and partnerships with minority, women, disabled, veteran, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender led organizations, among other things. Each month the DEI committee puts on cultural and diversity centered events, and this year has been focusing on releasing regular podcast series centered around each month’s theme. 

In addition, Amwell is committed to providing education and training to our employees such as IE Conscious Bias Training, Managing Inclusion Training, Inclusive Interviewing Training, and more. 

Do you have any data that you’d like to share that demonstrates your diverse workforce? 

Amwell ESG framework

Where can I find more information about your Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives?

Podcast episodes have been published on LinkedIn as well as other social media outlets.


Hear From Our Employees

Amwell’s DEI initiatives have stimulated candid, meaningful conversations with my colleagues that have taught me so much and brought me closer to the people I work alongside every day. I feel my world view has broadened and my empathy has grown as a result of my participation in Amwell’s DEI initiatives in the last two years. - Emily

About the
Company

At Amwell, we digitally empower our clients’ health care ambitions.
 

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DEI Spotlight - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Pluralsight banner image

DEI Spotlight - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Pluralsight

Open Jobs Company Page

One of the top goals for many companies in the tech industry is to focus on building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce. It is also one of our top goals at VentureFizz in terms of helping to support companies on this important mission.

Companies have different approaches as it relates to how they are addressing their diversity, equity, and inclusion goals, so we thought that it would be valuable to profile companies and what they are doing to accomplish their DEI initiatives.

We connected with Pluralsight, the technology workforce development company that helps teams build better by knowing more and working better together. 


Please provide a high level statement supporting your DEI mission and objectives?

Breaking barriers and creating equal access to opportunity is inherent in our mission to advance the world’s technology workforce. That’s why we’re committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB). We know that by tapping into the power of DEIB we build stronger, healthier teams that build better experiences for all. We focus on three strategic areas: 

  • Enabling our people: Equipping our people with the knowledge and skills to drive sustainable change. 

  • Deepening belonging: foster a culture of belonging throughout the business by building community & encouraging allyship

  • Growing diversity: Intentionally hiring, retaining and growing talent from under represented groups. 

What is Pluralsight doing to attract a more diverse workforce?

We strive to create an equitable and inclusive environment where every team member feels welcome, appreciated, and heard.

We look beyond university credentials and past work experience and focus more on the skills a candidate has acquired and their potential to perform in the role. This allows us to diversify our pipelines, and bring us great candidates.

One intentional way this shows up is through our strategic partnerships with great regional and national organizations that provide access to members from under-represented groups in technology. A few key partnerships include PowerToFly, Girls Who Code, and internXL.

We are not only casting wider nets when hiring, but also are developing and investing in future talent through our internships. Our internships engage current and recent college graduates and are background agnostic: participants can be from bootcamps, self-taught, or finished with a traditional university education. For example, we’ve partnered with the IMPACT program, an internship program that brings talented students from Howard University to Utah. 

Can you share all the different Employee Resource Groups at Pluralsight?

Our Employee Resource Groups are identity-based communities that cultivate connection through mentorship, allyship, education, events, and training. 

We currently have three Employee Resource Groups: 

Pride@PS

Pride@PS champions, advocates, and supports members of the LGBTQIA+ community with a focus on belonging and community.

seeColor

seeColor empowers a culture of personal and professional growth for our Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities.

Women@PS

Women@PS empowers communities of women and allies to confidently conquer whatever lies ahead.

What other programs do you have to support your DEI initiatives?

  • Equity in our people processes: We analyze our people processes to ensure there is equity in our outcomes such as total rewards, performance management, and succession planning. 

  • Inclusive Leadership Series: We provide resources for our people leaders to equip them with the tools needed to foster a thriving and inclusive environment. 

  • Mentorship @ Pluralsight- A program focused on the investment in the growth and development of our team members through mentorship. This is a program led by our ERG, Women@PS, the program is open to all employees and gains participation from all levels within the organization.

  • Pluralsight One: Our commitment to DEIB also fuels Pluralsight One, our social enterprise that improves equal access to technology skills and invests in catalytic solutions that drive global opportunity, education, and innovative outcomes.

Do you have any data that you’d like to share that demonstrates your diverse workforce? 

Providing a clear picture of our progress towards building a diverse workforce today is important. We pride ourselves on publicly sharing our data in our diversity report

Where can I find more information about your Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives?

https://www.pluralsight.com/about/diversity-and-belonging


Hear From Our Employees

Sam Jeet Pluralsight

 

 

 

 

 

Sam Jeet (she/her), Software Engineer

“Everyday my background, experiences, and differences are celebrated by team members, my organization, and Pluralsight as a whole. I know and am reminded by many I have a place at the table, can invite others to the table, and can celebrate everyone at the table. This belief has allowed me to grow as an engineer, leader, and person in both my professional and personal life. “

Christopher Glaittli Pluralsight

 

 

 

 

 

Chris Glaittli, Executive Assistant

"This is the first company I’ve worked for that has had DEI leadership and initiatives and let me tell ya, it is amazing. The thoughtful consideration to make sure everyone is considered and thought about on every scale really makes me feel like I am valued and appreciated. The energy at Pluralsight is just so much more inviting and open than at other companies I have worked at. You can feel it and if you don’t, there are people in place that are here not only to listen but to also collaborate on opening up the space for you and others."

About the
Company

Pluralsight is the leading technology workforce development organization that helps companies and teams build better products by developing critical skills, improving processes and gaining insights through data, and providing strategic skills consulting.

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DEI Spotlight - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at DraftKings banner image

DEI Spotlight - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at DraftKings

Open Jobs Company Page

One of the top goals for many companies in the tech industry is to focus on building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce. It is also one of our top goals at VentureFizz in terms of helping to support companies on this important mission.

Companies have different approaches as it relates to how they are addressing their diversity, equity, and inclusion goals, so we thought that it would be valuable to profile companies and what they are doing to accomplish their DEI initiatives.

We connected with DraftKings, a digital sports entertainment and gaming company created to fuel the competitive spirit of sports fans with products that range across daily fantasy, regulated gaming and digital media. Headquartered in Boston, and launched in 2012 by Jason Robins, Matt Kalish and Paul Liberman, DraftKings is the only U.S.-based vertically integrated sports betting operator.


 Please provide a high level statement supporting your DEI mission and objectives?

We understand that creating a workplace that fosters inclusion and welcomes diversity is an ever-evolving process. We will not be satisfied until we achieve parity across the organization in every experience, including recruiting and career progression, and have maintained a truly open and inclusive culture for everyone.

We work to foster a culture of inclusion and belonging that makes our teammates feel safe, empowered, engaged, championed, and inspired to be the very best.

DraftKings DEI Culture

What is Draftkings doing to attract a more diverse workforce?

DraftKings continues to partner with mission aligned community and industry organizations to build a strong talent network to attract more diverse candidates. Some of our key partnerships include Boston While Black, Kura Labs, Women Who Code, and Womenhack. We will continue to identify key partnerships and events for participation. 

Can you share all the different Employee Resource Groups at Draftkings?

At DraftKings, we believe in diversity and providing opportunities for everyone to explore identities, cultures, and communities through stories, discussions, traditions, and languages outside of their own.

Our Employee Resource Groups' overarching mission is to increase the visibility and representation of the diverse workforce at DraftKings and to increase cultural dexterity, awareness, and inclusion for all company-wide.

There are three Employee Resource Groups at DraftKings to support the DraftKings community. 

DK Women - We create a community for women at DraftKings to learn, share, and network surrounding the challenges unique to women in business and also aims to empower growth for all DraftKings team members.

DK Shades - To build a strong internal community for Draftkings' diverse workforce and provide opportunities for everyone to explore cultures through story, traditions, languages, and communities.

DK Pride - Our purpose is to nurture a community of knowledge, experience, and network sharing, and communication through programs and events that are inclusive and accessible to all.

What other programs do you have to support your DEI initiatives?

  • Enhanced our Benefits policy to include gender affirmation benefits and family planning accommodations.
  • Increased diverse representation on the DraftKings Board of Directors by 10%.
  • Open discussion forums on Black Lives Matter, Voting Rights, LatinX in Media/Comics, and Anti-Asian Violence with participation from executive leadership.
  • Established a partnership with Tech for Heroes to provide veterans and military spouses free, comprehensive high-tech job skills training.
  • Recognized and added International Women's Day and Juneteenth to the company holiday calendar.

Where can I find more information about your Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives?

You can learn more about DraftKings’ DEI initiatives on our careers site!

https://careers.draftkings.com/who-we-are/diversity-inclusion/


Hear From Our Employees

“One of the most essential parts of my job is cultivating a space where everyone feels safe, empowered, engaged, championed, and inspired to be the best they can be. We center our core work around education and awareness. That includes designing global learning and development programs for inclusive leadership, such as unconscious bias and perception. Our organization leads with empathy, cultural curiosity, and all-in ownership at every level. Our work impacts our global team members, so we take great pride and care in building resources that would include each demographic.”  - Marjorie, Program Manager of Inclusion, Equity, and Belong team

“I am excited for DK Shades to continue to expand and intentionally focus on efforts across each office. One of our goals was to provide more opportunities for teammates to take action and get involved in their communities locally. We’ve learned quite a bit, and I am excited to see where this momentum takes us.” - JJ, Co-chair of DK Shades ERG

About the
Company

To responsibly entertain, engage, and unlock passion in people all over the world.

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DEI Spotlight - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Simon Data banner image

DEI Spotlight - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Simon Data

Open Jobs Company Page

One of the top goals for many companies in the tech industry is to focus on building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce. It is also one of our top goals at VentureFizz in terms of helping to support companies on this important mission.

Companies have different approaches as it relates to how they are addressing their diversity, equity, and inclusion goals, so we thought that it would be valuable to profile companies and what they are doing to accomplish their DEI initiatives.

First up, we have Simon Data, which enables brands to deliver incredible customer experiences everywhere. The company's platform allows customers to leverage all of their data at enterprise-scale to create powerful personalized experiences effortlessly.

What is your mission statement as it relates to your DEI objectives?

Our mission has three pillars: Educate, Celebrate, Participate. Our goal is to foster a culture of innovation, supported by people from different backgrounds and experiences that challenge us to be our very best. Our team is our biggest competitive edge and greatest asset as a business, and we believe diversity of thought is a key enabler.

What is Simon Data doing to attract a more diverse workforce?

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is always top of mind when we think about our recruitment strategy. 

We’ve partnered with employer branding companies who specialize in DEI, and we’ve developed programs to attract a more diverse talent pool, such as our Engineering Internship Program. 

Our DEI ERG recruits regularly and thrives on the individual leadership that each volunteer brings. 

Leadership is supportive of our endeavors, giving us the means to host events such as our DEI Week. 

Most, if not all, of our events and activities are employee led, so it’s truly a cultural representation. 

Can you share all the different Employee Resource Groups at Simon Data?

  • DEI ERG

  • SimoND (Neurodiversity)

  • The Green Network

  • SNOW (Simon Network of Women)

  • Distributed

  • NYC

  • Also – anyone with 5 people interested can start and ERG

What other programs do you have to support your DEI initiatives?

We hosted our first DEI week in 2022. We have a regular speaker series and volunteer opportunities. We actively highlight and take action on awareness opportunities.

Do you have any data that you’d like to share that demonstrates your diverse workforce? 

28% of our workforce identifies as a person of color / non-white.  37% of our workforce identifies as female. 

Where can I find more information about your Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives?

Internally, we have a confluence page that contains all the information. Externally, we post regularly on social media.


Hear From Our Employees

“The support and investment in DEI here at Simon allows me to bring my best self to work. The support from my peers and leadership, the diversity of thought, interest, care, and activism make me a better person and that’s invaluable. At Simon, people really matter and it’s clear in our interactions. I’m proud to work somewhere that’s about more than the bottom line, and focuses on what’s right, what matters, and is always seeking to improve and get better.” - Cheyenna Duggan, Co-Chair of Simon Data DEI ERG



“The DEI team here at Simon is very visible supporting initiatives at company offsites, weekly All Hands meetings, annual DEI week or regular Celebration & Participation events. The DEI team not only creates fun & engaging events but empowers everyone to contribute to inclusivity efforts. I can’t imagine finding another place to work where I could feel as much community with my coworkers as I do at Simon Data” - Alex Lustick, Co-Chair of Simon Data ERG

 

About the
Company

Simon Data is the Customer Data Platform that enables you to drive marketing results faster with a solution purpose built for growth.

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