Diversity and Inclusion Programs
International Paper fosters an environment of diversity and inclusion. We believe listening to different viewpoints will improve our business results.
Diversity and Inclusion Program highlights from 2013 include:
- Continuing the Mentoring Excellence Program, including more than 400 employee mentors and mentees in the United States;
- Offering virtual mentoring group events in which more than 1,200 employees participated; and
- Launching our first Inclusion Forum, focused on engaging and educating more than 120 First Line Leaders who collectively lead more than 1,100 employees. The forum showed ways to continue advancing diversity and inclusion efforts within their facilities and teams. The group represented all U.S. businesses and included many forms of diversity, including race, gender, age, background and tenure.
Recognizing that diversity is driven by local culture and demographics, our strategies and approaches vary by region. At a high level, regional strategies include gender diversity for Asia and India, programs aimed at retention of younger employees and disabled workers in Brazil and focused efforts to address the aging workforce in certain parts of EMEA. Supporting initiatives across the company ensures a fulfilling employee experience, from job applicant to retirement.
Chairman's Diversity Council
The Chairman’s Diversity Council includes senior leaders who drive diversity and inclusiveness initiatives to maintain a culturally rich and collaborative work environment. Inclusion aspects are also important to the council’s efforts to ensure our ability to attract, retain and develop the best talent in an increasingly global market. In 2013, The Council achieved a number of notable accomplishments, including:
- Raising awareness — by publishing more than 76 articles that recognized employees who foster diversity and inclusion in our workplaces;
- Grooming future leaders — through our sponsorship program, which promotes the learning, development, exposure, and business acumen of talented employees; and
- Mentoring — our Mentoring Boards, representing African-American, Latino and female company leaders, sponsored quarterly virtual discussions to offer career guidance, and encourage meaningful professional relationships and personal connections.
“Diversity and inclusion matter. Winning requires different viewpoints and backgrounds to make connections that drive toward a common mission. Engaged teams make better decisions. When people know their viewpoints matter, commitment follows.”Kirt Cuevas, Co-Chair, Chairman's Diversity Council
