Chemonics International is a global organization working in more than 85 countries. Chemonics has regional business lines, thematic divisions focused on supply chains and health services, and a multitude of technical and internal operational support units. In rapidly deploying its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategies, Chemonics sought not to institute a top-down strategy but rather to ensure employees across all company levels – including international project office teams – were engaged to achieve D results.

To ensure employees throughout the company were engaged in diversity and inclusion initiatives and that DEI approaches were embedded at every level of the organization, Chemonics established 22 divisional working groups – one for each business or support unit – responsible for the implementation and financing of DEI activities within their division. These divisional working groups, supported by their respective senior executive leadership and operations teams, are tasked with moving the company’s overarching DEI strategy in leadership, culture, talent, brand, and community forward. The working groups have developed their own work plans, complementary to corporate-level initiatives, tailored to serve each regional or thematic division’s specific culture, projects, and workforce needs, including those of our global colleagues supported by each division. Each working group has set measurable goals, developed a meeting cadence, and reports quarterly progress to its senior vice president, operations team, corporate DEI team, and executive leadership. These working groups foster divisional DEI leadership, allow for a robust undertaking of corporate initiatives towards DEI goals, and enhance our employees’ understanding of diversity in the workplace.

Dedicated working groups focused on DEI ensure the budget and buy-in for DEI activities while increasing engagement and accountability at the divisional level. The main accomplishments of these working groups in 2021 include a speed networking event hosted by the West and Central Africa, Haiti division; a decolonizing development event series organized by the Procurement Supply Management division; a panel featuring LGBTQI activists and organizations supported by the Middle East and North Africa business unit; and cultural coffee circles and lunchtime documentary and discussion sessions on Anti-Asian Hate organized by the Asia business unit. This structured approach to DEI implementation strengthens Chemonics’ culture of inclusion, building a community around DEI initiatives through concrete strategies embedded at every level of the organization while developing the leadership skills of DEI champions throughout the company.

Kenya Dugger, Senior Advisor and Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion