SOURCE: National Diversity Council

DESCRIPTION:

HOUSTON, May 10, 2021 /3BL Media/ – The National Diversity Council announced today the 37 companies that participated in the 2021 NDC Index and, among them, the first company to make the Best U.S. Companies for Diversity list. The NDC Index is an annual measurement of organizational commitment to diversity and inclusion among companies in the U.S. It rates companies on CEO engagement; benefits, policies, and initiatives; supplier diversity; community engagement; and corporate social responsibility. This year’s participating companies in alphabetical order are: 

Dennis Kennedy, founder and chairman of the National Diversity Council, praised these companies for their willingness to benchmark their diversity and inclusion efforts following a challenging year. “As businesses recover from the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and racial unrest, it is imperative they renew their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion to achieve long-term resilience in the marketplace,” Kennedy said. “In 2021, participation in the NDC Index more than doubled and we are thrilled to announce the first company achieving recognition under our Best U.S. Companies for Diversity list.” 

To be on the Best U.S. Companies for Diversity list, companies must score from 90 to 100 points in the NDC Index. Blue Shield of California is the first and only company that made the list in 2021 with a score of 92. The company, located in Oakland, is dedicated to fulfilling its mission of ensuring high-quality and affordable health care for all Californians. 

“At Blue Shield of California, we sustain a diverse and engaged high-performing workforce by recruiting, developing, and advancing talent reflective of the communities we serve,” said Mary O’Hara, chief human resources officer and senior vice president of internal communications at Blue Shield of California. “We expect our leaders to be anchored in our values and leadership behaviors, which includes exemplifying inclusive and equitable behaviors.”

O’Hara said the company is honored to be recognized as one of the Best U.S. Companies for Diversity on the NDC Index. “This recognition is a testament to the efforts of all our employees, who are cultivating a workplace where everyone, from all walks of life, feels empowered, engaged, and driven by our mission to transform the healthcare system into one that is worthy of our family and friends and sustainably affordable.”

Angeles Valenciano, chief executive officer at the National Diversity Council and the Healthcare Diversity Council, commended the company for its outstanding results.  “I applaud Blue Shield of California for moving the needle with their efforts in DEI and for setting a standard in healthcare and other industries.” 

All NDC Index participating companies receive a complimentary NDC Index Report to help them identify strengths and opportunities in their diversity and inclusion strategy. The report includes a best practices scorecard and a comparative analysis of the assessment areas across participating companies. Additional benchmarking services are available for a fee. Registration for the 2022 NDC Index opens October 2021. For more information and to view this year’s participating companies, please visit www.ndcindex.org.

About the National Diversity Council

The National Diversity Council is a non-profit organization committed to fostering a learning environment for organizations to grow in their knowledge of diversity. The council affords opportunities for organizations to share best practices and learn from top corporate leaders in the areas of diversity and inclusion. More information about the National Diversity Council is available at: www.nationaldiversitycouncil.org. 

About the NDC Index

The NDC Index is an annual measurement of a company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. The NDC Index scores all companies on a scale from 0 to 100 according to diversity best practices and provides a score for each assessment area. To participate, companies must have a minimum of 500 employees or be a Fortune 1000 company with subsidiaries in the United States. There is no fee to participate in the NDC Index or to receive the NDC Index Report. The NDC adheres to strict confidentiality guidelines in the survey submission process. For more information, please visit: www.ndcindex.org.

Media Contact:

Katrina Glenn 
Communications Supervisor, National Diversity Council
katrina.glenn@nationaldiversitycouncil.org
Contact Number: 281-975-0626

KEYWORDS: National Diversity Council, NDC Index