The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has joined a growing coalition pledging to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The Reverend Frank Clark Spencer, President of the Board, is among more than 2,000 leaders who have come together for CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion. As a pledge signatory, Rev. Spencer has reinforced the Board's commitment to cultivating a workplace where diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected and employees feel encouraged to discuss diversity and inclusion.
For more than 20 years, the Board of Pensions has far exceeded workforce diversity goals set by the General Assembly of the PC(USA). Additionally, the agency's Board of Directors reflects diversity in gender, sexual orientation, and ethnicity and race. Since February 2020, the staff-run Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Council has guided the Board's entire workforce in understanding the need for diversity initiatives and inclusive leadership. In October 2021, the Board of Directors adopted six guiding principles developed by the Directors' DEI task force, which also identified five areas in which to engage the principles: Workforce, Business Partner Selection and Management, Members, Employers and Diverse Constituent Engagement, and Board of Directors.
"The Board is walking the path of the Church toward diversity, equity, and inclusion and the end of structural racism," Rev. Spencer said. "It is not an easy path. There will be difficult conversations and uncomfortable self-examination. But we are committed to living into authentic community."
Organizations joining the pledge are taking a step toward effecting positive change. A diverse and inclusive workforce facilitates community, but also drives innovation and creativity. A study found that 85 percent of those surveyed reported that diversity is a key component to fostering innovation.
CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion is cultivating a new type of ecosystem centered on collaboration and sharing. The actions, available via CEOAction.com, showcase real-life examples of the open and transparent conversations to cultivate more diverse and inclusive workplace environments. The addition of new signatories expands the impact of this work beyond the office to communities and industries. As an administrator of benefits and services, the Board of Pensions partners with vendors in various industries. The agency hopes that by joining the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion it will continue cultivating diverse and inclusive workplaces in those industries as well as in its own workplace.
To learn more about the pledge,
visit CEOAction.com.
