Four Organizations Named 2021 Inclusion Award Winners
GREATER DES MOINES, IA (Nov. 10, 2021) – The Greater Des Moines Partnership has announced its 2021 Inclusion Award winners. In its ninth year, the award seeks to honor and celebrate the success of organizations that have championed diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in their businesses, organizations and in the community. Winners were announced and honored at the 9th Annual Inclusion Summit that took place today.
To qualify for the Inclusion Award, organizations must be a Regional Member or Investor of The Partnership. A selection committee made up of members of The Partnership’s Inclusion Council and The Partnership team evaluated the applications.
Award winners are:
Hy-Vee, Inc., Large Organization Category (more than 500 employees): Hy-Vee has continued to serve the community during the COVID-19 pandemic by finding creative ways to provide services to those in need through its Aisles Online program and by administering COVID-19 tests and vaccines, including booster doses and pediatric doses, to underserved populations. Hy-Vee has successfully built partnerships with a large number of nonprofits that serve diverse groups, and has taken proactive steps to increase its hiring of minorities. Hy-Vee also continues to make conscious efforts to diversify its vendors and suppliers by providing ongoing opportunities for new business owners of various backgrounds to have their products selected for in-store placement at the company’s more than 285 grocery stores.
Wells Fargo & Co., Large Organization Category (more than 500 employees): Wells Fargo has implemented intentional efforts in hiring and retention of a diverse workforce at all levels, offers advancement opportunities for people with diverse backgrounds within the organization for leadership positions, provides various learning and growth opportunities internally and externally from employees and is heavily involved in making an impact in the community.
NCMIC, Medium Organization Category (151 – 500 employees): NCMIC has demonstrated an intentional focus on DEI. NCMIC CEO Mike McCoy was one of the first leaders in the region to sign the CEO Commitment to Racial Equity in DSM. NCMIC supports diverse suppliers, and worked hard during the pandemic to keep employees engaged, holding drive-by celebrations for retirements and other milestones, offering resources and conversations around mental wellness, and hosting many other fun activities to keep employees happy and engaged.
United Way of Central Iowa, Small Organization Category (1 – 150 employees): United Way has been a strong pillar fostering an equitable, engaged and empowered community for many years. United Way has ramped up its DEI commitment, which is reflected in its staffing, hiring and programming. United Way led a successful 21-Day Equity Challenge in 2020, attracting more than 30,000 participants to learn about the vast and complex topics of DEI. United Way has also been intentional in making investments with diverse communities and programming serving diverse communities.
“The four Inclusion Award winners for 2021 have demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing in their DEI journey,” said Sanjita Pradhan, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at The Partnership. “They continue to make their workplaces welcoming for all and intentionally invest time and effort to make meaningful change.”
About the Greater Des Moines Partnership
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 24 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and more than 365 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.