WellPoint Named to DiversityInc’s ’2009 DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity’(R)
A total of 401 companies, an increase of 14 percent from last year, vied for the honor this year, underscoring the increasing emphasis on diversity management among progressive companies.
“In its fourth year participating, WellPoint demonstrates the strong commitment of its president and CEO,
As key factors in WellPoint’s success, Visconti cited the CEO’s personal commitment to diversity, particularly Braly’s support of the company’s employee-resource groups and the inclusion of workforce representation and supplier diversity goals in the executive leadership team’s annual performance metrics. In addition, eight of the 17 WellPoint board members and five of Braly’s 12 direct reports are women or people of color. He also noted the company’s strong commitment to diversity training and annual employee surveys to assess their perspectives on how the company is doing with respect to managing diversity.
“WellPoint is honored by this recognition, which we think reflects our long-standing commitment to a diverse and vibrant workforce,” said Braly. “Difficult economic times often bring the benefits of this diversity into clearer focus as associates from different backgrounds with different life experiences can offer fresh perspectives on emerging challenges and opportunities. A diverse workforce continues to be a key element in WellPoint’s continued success as the nation’s largest health care benefits company.”
The list was unveiled
Methodology
The DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list is a purely editorial process with no connection to business done with DiversityInc. It is determined entirely by a statistical analysis of responses to our 200-question survey. There is no fee to enter. DiversityInc Top 50 companies demonstrate consistent strength in four areas: CEO Commitment, Human Capital, Corporate and Organizational Communications, and Supplier Diversity. The list itself covers 19 industries, from consumer-facing companies to B-to-B’s to industrial businesses. They range from small regional companies to global giants.
DiversityInc also compiles 11 specialty lists, which will be unveiled on www.DiversityInc.com on these dates: The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for Recruitment & Retention (
For more detailed information on our methodology, please visit www.DiversityInc.com/top50.
About DiversityInc
Launched in 1997, DiversityInc is the leading business publication connecting diversity and the bottom line, with 1 million unique monthly visitors. DiversityInc.com includes the largest diversity job board in the nation. DiversityInc also produces events and conducts benchmarking, custom research and consulting.
Key findings from The 2009 DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity:
- In
the United States , the DiversityInc Top 50 hire 41% Blacks, Latinos, Asians and American Indians, compared with the U.S. work force, which is 32% Black, Latino, Asian and American Indian (BLS) - 25% of DiversityInc Top 50 companies’ managers are Black, Latino, Asian and American Indian, compared with 17% nationwide (BLS)
- DiversityInc Top 50 boards of directors are 23% Black, Latino, Asian and American Indian, compared with 13% nationally
- DiversityInc Top 50 boards of directors are 24% female, compared with 15% nationally
- One-third more DiversityInc Top 50 chief diversity officers now report to their CEOs than four years ago (28% vs. 18%)
- 88% of DiversityInc Top 50 CEOs personally sign off on executive compensation tied directly to diversity initiatives, compared with 72% in 2005
- All of the DiversityInc Top 50 companies now have employee-resource groups for their LGBT employees, 70% have groups for employees with disabilities, and 40% have generational resource groups. DiversityInc benchmarking customers seek data on employee-resource groups more than any other subject
- In 2005, less than 1% of DiversityInc Top 50 philanthropy went to multicultural groups; today, almost 25% does
- There has been a 50% increase in companies including supplier diversity in their RFPs (requests for proposals) since 2004 (60% vs. 90%)
About WellPoint, Inc.
WellPoint is committed to improving the lives of the people we serve and the health of our communities by simplifying the connection between health, care and value. Our goal is to help shape the impact each health care decision has on individuals, the health care system at-large, and our communities. WellPoint’s more than 42,000 associates work every day to help create the best health care value for our customers. Through collaborations with providers and with innovative programs, WellPoint’s affiliated health plans reward healthy lifestyles and quality, safe and effective care. As the nation’s largest health benefits company, with approximately 35 million members in its affiliated health plans, WellPoint is at the center of the health care system. This position provides us with the relationships and insights needed to help create affordable and actionable solutions that improve health care.
As an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, WellPoint serves members as the Blue Cross licensee for
SOURCE WellPoint, Inc.