Neenah, Inc. (NYSE: NP) today announced that it has joined CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™, the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion within the workplace. One of nearly 2,000 CEOs that have come together for CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™, Julie Schertell, is committing herself and Neenah to advance diversity and inclusion efforts in the company and in the communities where Neenah employees live and work.
The CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion™ commitment is driven by a realization that addressing diversity and inclusion is not a competitive issue, but a societal issue that CEOs can play a critical role in addressing. Companies from 85 industries have signed on, giving the signatory group additional unique perspectives on how to develop comfortable environments for employees to thrive.
“A diverse and inclusive workforce facilitates community, increases awareness and builds empathy,” said Julie Schertell, CEO and President – Neenah, Inc. “It also drives innovation and creativity, as employees feel accepted and welcomed to bring their whole selves to work every day, along with their unique perspectives and experiences. All of this leads to greater value, growth and opportunities for our employees, our company, communities and shareholders.”
In recent months, Neenah has taken actions to address and advance diversity and inclusion, with ongoing efforts to formalize and launch a multi-dimensional, global, diversity, equity and inclusion platform, as part of the corporate employee engagement strategy. Joining the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ is a key component of the company’s commitment and strategy to cultivate a respectful and equitable culture at Neenah.
“There’s no question about it, diversity and inclusivity make each of us better individually, but also collectively, as an organization. The originality of thoughts and ideas that come from varied backgrounds, ethnicities, races and cultures help drive greater knowledge and positively transforms our workplace and our world,” said Schertell. “I am excited to partner alongside other progressive organizations to take meaningful steps to address and advance such a critically-important societal issue.”