Fostering Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Diversity is a source of energy and innovation here at Hershey. We have a long-standing commitment to foster an inclusive environment where all employees around the world can bring their whole selves to work each day and to support a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within the communities where we live and work.
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Our commitment to DEI starts with our hiring practices and extends to each area of our business – from consumer insights to representation in advertising and products, our supplier diversity program and the many organizations we support within our communities.
Our values of togetherness, integrity, making a difference and excellence have helped us build a uniquely Hershey approach that enables us to hire the best candidates, understand our diverse consumers, create more diverse and inclusive communities, and ultimately live our purpose of making more moments of goodness. Since 2020, we have made significant progress toward our goals through our holistic DEI strategy, The Pathways Project.
Progressing our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Framework: The Pathways Project
As part of The Pathways Project, our five-year plan to make our workplace and communities even more inclusive, we have prioritized increasing overall representation and advancement across minority groups including women, those living with a disability, LGBTQ+ employees and veterans, with an accelerated focus on closing the representation gap for Black and Latino employees.* We also continued to prioritize women representation in our leadership, particularly for women of color. Other areas of focus include developing our workforce, especially in Commercial Functions including Supply Chain, Finance, and Information Services, as well as continuing to increase the diversity of our suppliers to impact our entire value chain. Inclusion is belonging, respect, being ALL IN, and the great feelings we have about working at Hershey.
Our Focus on Gender Equity
We are proud to be one of the few Fortune 500 companies led by women, with Michele Buck serving as our CEO and Chairman of the Board. We also lead the industry, paying U.S. salaried women and people of color a dollar-for-dollar aggregate compared to male colleagues.
Business Resource Groups Create Opportunities for Influence
Our eight employee-led Business Resource Groups (BRGs) provide a space for employees to discuss new business opportunities, influence company policy and develop employees and communities where we do business. Hershey leadership frequently partners with BRGs to bring new initiatives to life and ensure the interests of all our employees are represented.
Find out more about our approach and resources in our 2022 ESG Report.
Awards and Recognition
Related Articles
As part of our holistic diversity, equity and inclusion strategy, The Pathways Project, supplier diversity is key to delivering our Pathways to Join pillar and driving a wider range of perspectives.
In Hershey’s 2021 ESG report, an expanded DEI section reflects our intentional progress and goals to make Hershey even more diverse and inclusive.
Hershey’s legacy as a company is rooted in supporting children and youth. To celebrate Women’s History Month, we partnered with two organizations whose impact aligns with our legacy of impacting the next generation.
Related Articles
As part of our holistic diversity, equity and inclusion strategy, The Pathways Project, supplier diversity is key to delivering our Pathways to Join pillar and driving a wider range of perspectives.
In Hershey’s 2021 ESG report, an expanded DEI section reflects our intentional progress and goals to make Hershey even more diverse and inclusive.
Hershey’s legacy as a company is rooted in supporting children and youth. To celebrate Women’s History Month, we partnered with two organizations whose impact aligns with our legacy of impacting the next generation.