At Cooper, everyone's contribution counts, and that's why inclusion and diversity are so important. It isn't just the right thing to do; it's what makes our company the best it can be. And when you think about it, it makes sense because you can see a lot more when you have different perspectives. We're passionate about making our company a place where we all belong. We want Cooper to be a safe and equitable environment for all, a place where all of us are accepted, respected, and valued. A place where we can thrive. In short, a place we're proud to be a part of.

The challenge we are solving is improving Inclusion & Diversity at Coopercompanies through a formalized strategy.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and engaging workplace. We're making this happen not just with words but with actions.

• Commitments at the highest levels include Al White, President & CEO of CooperCompanies; Dan McBride, Esq., EVP, coo & President of CooperVision; Holly Sheffield, President of Coopersurgical to advance diversity and inclusion and create an inclusive and engaging workplace.
• Establishment and rollout of a Global Inclusion Council. Cooper's Global Inclusion Council is comprised of an executive sponsor (Lisa Fawcett) and seven leaders from across the company's businesses, regions, and functions, each playing a pivotal role in shaping our inclusion strategy. These leaders serve as inclusion and diversity champions, advocates, and thought-leaders from across the organization. The council promotes employees' perspectives, prioritizes focus areas, and provides feedback about existing and new programs.
• Establishment of 3 Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). African Descent (us); Women's Impact Network (global with 5 regional chapters); CooperPride (LGBTQ+)
• Updating job descriptions in the U.S. to include more inclusive and accessible language.
• Supporting the Special Olympics Opening Eyes Program through a three-year partnership with Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) and Special Olympics. Together, the three organizations committed funds through 2023 to provide Special Olympics athletes with high-quality vision and eye health screenings, prescription eyewear, and sports goggles while also providing improved education and training for eye care professionals and optometry students, so they are better able to meet the unique needs of people with intellectual disabilities.
• Providing fertility benefits to all U.S. employees, spouses, and significant others with a benefit designed to support all types of family building, including LGBTQ+ individuals and couples and single parents.
• Launched a 'leading with inclusion' program for director-level or higher leaders across the company to develop their capabilities to build more inclusive workplaces, manage diverse teams, and serve diverse customers and business partners without unconscious bias.

• Through the CEO's commitment and the board of directors' support, the board has achieved gender parity and increased representation from an underrepresented community.
• Through leadership commitment and l&D initiatives, we have incorporated inclusion items into our performance reviews and engagement surveys.
• The Global Inclusion Council and 3 ERGs have led to greater awareness among employees and leaders and have provided a mechanism for engagement to help shape the inclusion strategy. In one year since establishing the council and the first ERG, more than 1,000 employees have joined one of the ERGS.
• Completed unconscious bias training for all director-level or higher leaders across the company.

Lisa Fawcett, Vice President Corporate Marketing, Communications & ESG