It’s been one incredible year since I joined Autodesk as senior director of global diversity, belonging, and inclusion. And as I reflect on the meaningful progress we’ve made together in that short time, I’m more inspired and energized than ever to continue the journey toward realizing our vibrant, open, and engaged company culture.
At Autodesk, we’re fostering a culture of belonging in which all employees have equitable opportunities to succeed and contribute: one that embraces a multitude of original minds and talents to create the most innovative products and solutions for our equally diverse array of customers.
In doing so, we’re offering more than just a place to work. We’re creating opportunities for people to thrive.
And now, I’m proud to share that this important and ongoing work has been recognized by global media outlet Forbes, which included Autodesk in its list of Best Employers for Diversity 2023! Even more exciting is the fact that Autodesk ranked 22 out of 500 featured companies, in addition to first in the software & services category.
Forbes’ annual list of Best Employers for Diversity, compiled by independent surveying in collaboration with market research firm Statista, focuses on organizations that are actively prioritizing diversity across their employees, executives, board members, and company-wide initiatives.
Check out the Forbes Best Employers for Diversity 2023 list
To be included is an honor. We know that diversity is not just a key driver of innovation, but a critical component to our collective success on a global scale. We’re so proud to be featured in Forbes’ annual list–but even more so to be a growing Autodesk community that reflects the diversity of the world we live in.
Here are just a few of the latest ways we’re prioritizing diversity, belonging, and inclusion at Autodesk that I’m most proud of:
- We recently launched Flex Forward: our new and comprehensive approach to enacting, embracing, and evolving our hybrid-first company culture. This approach allows us to be more inclusive, as well as hire and retain a diverse and talented workforce regardless of location–all while driving productivity, connection, and belonging.
- We broke ground on the Autodesk Technology Engagement Center at CSUN, made possible by a $5-million gift from Autodesk. In addition to state-of-the-art research labs, the center will house the Global Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Equity Innovation Hub, with the purpose of accelerating educational equity and ensuring a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
- We built on our established relationship with Howard University and gave a $1-million donation, with the intention of helping expand its manufacturing and making facilities, as well as services to students. Through this recent gift, and our continued relationship, we hope to support more opportunities for the next generation of talented, Black engineers.
- We’re fostering innovation through NEXT LEVEL: a new sponsorship and leadership development program designed in partnership with our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) with the goal to increase underrepresented people of color in leadership.
- We continue to evolve and expand our ERG program. In the past year, we saw a 40% increase in membership, hosted our first ERG leadership summit, celebrated a myriad of heritage months with engaging and inclusive programming, and grew our ERG program scope to include two new networks–the Autodesk Indigenous Network and the Autodesk MIND Network.
These milestones, in addition to our recent recognition from Forbes, offer an opportunity to pause and celebrate the countless Autodesk team members who made this all possible. Building a culture of belonging is a journey we’re on together, and I can’t wait to see where it takes us next.
Interested in joining our diverse team of Autodeskers? Check out our global career opportunities here.
