India celebrates 2020’s D&I Best Practice Award Winners

Community Business announced the winners of India’s 2020 Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Best Practice Awards yesterday, during a virtual ceremony.

The non-profit organisation, which advances responsible and inclusive business practices in Asia, launched the event to celebrate D&I best practice in India three years ago. The awards ceremony, sponsored by Refinitiv, featured an Indian sign language tutorial from Shashwati and a performance from the Dance out of Poverty Team (see video below).

“We were deeply encouraged to see the great work that continues to be done by companies here in India to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace – even in the most challenging of circumstances,” stated Vijaya K Matt, Country Head, India at Community Business. “We congratulate each and every company that submitted a nomination and demonstrated that they are putting diversity and inclusion at the heart of their business strategy.” 

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION DEDICATION

“In this time of increasing social change and uncertainty, particularly what we have seen this year, it is even more important to recognise leaders in this field who are authentic about diversity and inclusion in the workplace,” added Jyothi Sivaramakrishnan, Head of India HR at Refinitiv. 

“These awards are a celebration of exceptional dedication, both outstanding organisations and outspoken individuals who are going above and beyond and walk the talk for diversity and inclusion in India. We are delighted to be partnering with Community Business for the 2020 D&I in India Best Practice Awards.”

2020’S AWARD WINNERS

Many top-quality nominations were received across all eight award categories. 2020’s D&I in India Best Practice Award winners include: 

• Employee Network Award: SAP Labs India for SAP Early Talent Ambassador Network

• Advancement of Women Award (sponsored by Northern Trust): Intel for Intel India Women Progression and Advancement

• Disability Confidence Award (sponsored by Credit Suisse): Accenture for Abilities Unleashed; and Sodexo for Ability is in Everyone 

• LGBT+ Inclusion Award: Goldman Sachs for Pride in Inclusion 2019 

• D&I Pioneering Initiative Award: Wells Fargo for Veteran Inclusion –from battle fields to corporate corridors 

•  Promoting Social Inclusion Award: R.R. Donnelley for Digital Jobs in the Himalaya 

• D&I Champion of Change Award (sponsored by Intel): Vihaan Peethambar from Goldman Sachs 

• D&I Business Leader Award: Sheenam Ohrie, Vice President for Dell Digital Services Self-Service from Dell Technologies 

All the winners were selected from a shortlist of finalists by a judging panel. It included one senior leader from the award sponsor, senior executives from Community Business and at least one external expert.

VIRTUAL CONFERENCE

A virtual conference showcasing the insights and learnings from the award finalists took place the day before the awards ceremony. It featured a keynote address from Hitesh Ramchandani, a Paralympic Medal Winner and a global motivational speaker. He shared his journey on overcoming his challenges and creating an extraordinary life. 

Participants then attended breakout sessions featuring best practice from the finalists of the award categories. They included the Advancement of Women, D&I Pioneering Initiatives, Disability Confidence, Employee Network, LGBT+ Inclusion and Promoting Social Inclusion. The conference also featured a session entitled “Should Religion Be on Your Corporate D&I Agenda?” conducted by Kate Vernon, Executive Director of Community Business and Dramanon, one of the top emerging theatre companies in India. 

The two events provide business leaders, as well as D&I leaders and professionals from across India, the opportunity to learn from best practices applied by the finalists. For more information about 2020’s D&I in India Best Practice Awards, click here.