We believe that transparency and communication are key to progressing as a team. Our team must also have a clear understanding of where Sun stands on important issues, as well as the steps we plan to take to reach our goals and create change.

Our executive leadership team demonstrated their personal and company commitment to acknowledging and fighting racial justice by providing company-wide communications for all team members to view. These messages from leaders like Gary Shiffman, Chief Executive Officer, and John McLaren, President and Chief Operating Officer, over the past few years have outlined the internal DEI journey of Sun, as well as their stance on current events and social issues. 

In an early message from Gary in 2020, he addressed the need for change, supporting the Black Lives Matter movement to end the systemic injustices. He shared with our team the need to have those uncomfortable conversations and ask those difficult questions. There was also a promise that the executive team will stive to be leaders of change, examining the role they need to play in meaningful reform as individuals and a company. Gary acknowledged this will be a process requiring ongoing evaluation and universal commitment.

Since then, several updates have been provided with actions Sun has taken, including how team members have been called to engage. For example, Karen Dearing, Chief Financial Officer, has taken on the role of executive sponsor leading Sun’s IDEA Council. Her presence allows the council to share input that can be disseminated directly to key leaders in the company, which ensures securing the resources necessary to create change. 

The commitment and increased communication from our senior executive leadership has directly led to an increase in overall transparency for our team, serving as a call to action for our team members and stakeholders.