Looking to get a leg up on the competition? Dozens of coaching and mentoring programs help multicultural women advance at this major food-manufacturing company, as does an executive diversity council with satellites in ten functions and divisions. To maintain a level playing field, the company has sent more than 10,000 employees to its understanding and modeling inclusion training course, and continued support is crucial: According to its latest data, 55% of all recent hires are female, and one third are women of color. Six affinity groups provide women of similar racial and ethnic backgrounds with a place to commune: “it was an instant group of friends,” says Mansi Bhandari, a supply-chain buyer, of her introduction to the South Asian American network. “We had the opportunity to interface with senior leaders, and I was given a buddy right away.”

Chairman & CEO Ken Powell
VP, Diversity & Inclusion Kenneth Charles

At General Mills, multicultural women represent…
7% multicultural women
4% of corporate executives
5% of senior managers
7% of the top earners
11% of the company hires
10% of the company promotions
10% of the company losses
16% of participants in mentoring programs
15% of participants in affinity groups