Sun recognized the need in 2020 to create a dedicated group of team members to provide critical input that will further drive our diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This group had to represent the unique perspectives of our team members, and the diverse backgrounds of individuals within our company.

We formed the IDEA Council in March 2021, which comprises 12 team members of varying roles, geographical locations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, education, and experiences. This council meets monthly to support Sun’s IDEA strategy, share knowledge and experiences to help shape decision making, act as an extension of the underrepresented voices throughout the company, and ensure IDEA is the foundation of all that we do. 

The chief financial officer at Sun, Karen Dearing, serves as the executive sponsor for the council. Her engagement plays a key role in demonstrating the commitment of executive leadership at Sun. She also ensures a direct line of communication between the team, executive leaders, and our board of directors. Sun has also partnered with a third-party, DEI industry expert who guides the planning and agenda development of these council meetings.

Once the call to action was sent out regarding our search for council members, over 65 applications were received from Sun team members. This overwhelming response of interest further solidified the passion of our team. Since the inaugural council meeting in March 2021, this group has made progress in establishing a mission, as well as pillars to guide our purpose. They have also provided input on various business decisions and have begun assigning functional roles within the group. The pillars established focus on education, engagement, and communication. You will see these elements woven throughout Sun’s subsequent actions.