Grouping Autodesk with companies like Progressive, Humana, Williams-Sonoma, Procter & Gamble and Clorox may seem unlikely, but they all have something in common. Each of them recently made it onto the top 25 of the Forbes list of America’s Best Employers for Diversity, which includes 500 companies.
As stated in Autodesk’s Diversity & Belonging FY23 Report by Ramona Blake, senior director of Diversity & Belonging, “We strive to create an environment where everyone, everywhere, is excited to come to work, feels a sense of belonging and can fully contribute their talents. We are creating a workplace that embraces a multitude of original minds and talents to develop the most innovative products and solutions that meet the demands of the global marketplace. By cultivating a workplace where all employees can realize their potential, we offer more than just a place to work. Autodesk is a company leading change where people can build community and thrive.”
Based on its recognition, the company seems headed in the right direction. Considering the list had 500 finalists, ranking in the top 25 proves efforts are being made. To create the list, Forbes relayed on survey information Statista. The company surveyed 45,000 employees of American-based with a minimum of 1,000 employees, who anonymously rated organizations based on varying criteria, such as ethnicity, gender, LGBTQ + equality and age. Additionally, the rankings took into account each company’s diversity-related practices.
Making the list was in part thanks to a global diversity and belonging strategy Autodesk rolled out in 2020. The company set three-year objectives and goals in the following areas:
- Attract and retain a diverse workforce
- Expand leadership diversity
- Foster a culture of belonging
The company is making efforts to achieve its goals by the end of 2024. The below graph shows how the company is coming along so far, compared to 2022.
Knowing that diversity has become critical to any company’s desk, Autodesk has launched multiple programs, facilities and other efforts to entwine diversity into all elements of how the company does business. In 2022, it launched NEXT LEVEL. This program’s focus was to create a pipeline for underrepresented people of color (URPOC) ready to take on leadership roles. The sixth-month program included 24 employees. The program involved training, courses and workshops, along with sponsors, mentors and coaches to succeed.
The company also has Employee Resource Group (ERG) leads, including the Autodesk Latinx Network (ALN) and Autodesk Black Network (ABN). Over the past year, the company has seen an increase in membership in these networks, which help further create engagement and inclusion. The ERG program recently welcomed two additional networks, Autodesk Indigenous Network and the Autodesk MIND Network.
When it comes to science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) careers, reaching out to the community to encourage a new generation of engineers continues to be an important element of ensuring diversity now and into the future. Through Autodesk University and other programs, Autodesk has made strides in helping break the barrier for women and URPOC.
During the past year, Autodesk gifted California State University, Northridge (CSUN) $5 million dollars to start building the Autodesk Technology Engagement Center. Once completed, this research facility will include a Global Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Equity Innovation Hub. Howard University received a donation of $1 million to help make its facilities state-of-the art to create better opportunities for students.
At Autodesk, diversity does not only apply to internal culture and employees. The company has made strides to make diversity and inclusion part of its supplier base. To help ensure that happens, the company belongs to diverse supplier associations, such as the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) and the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). In 2023, the company has spent approximately $51.3 million with diverse U.S.-based businesses, an increase of 47 percent.
While Autodesk has reached milestones that have been acknowledged the company has no plans of slowing down. According to Blake, “Building a culture of belonging is a journey we’re on together and I’m excited about what’s next.”