Sodexo Named a Top Corporation for Disability-Owned Businesses
GAITHERSBURG, Md., Aug. 21, 2018 /3BL Media/- Sodexo, a food and facilities management company committed to improving Quality of Life, announced today the company’s recognition as a 2018 Disability:IN Annual Inclusion Award Winner for the Top Corporation for Disability-Owned Businesses for demonstrating outstanding inclusion of Disability:IN-certified, disability-owned businesses; including businesses owned by service disabled veterans; and demonstrated commitment to disability business inclusion in its supply chain processes and supplier diversity program.
“Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected throughout our supply chain,” said Jim Pazzanese, VP Supply Management, Sodexo. “We are proud to lead a diverse supplier program with more than 2,400 vendors, including disabled-owned companies, that mirrors our company’s values and support of local communities. Thank you for recognizing our contributions and awarding Sodexo as a top corporation.”
In addition to the organization’s purchasing efforts and supply chain opportunities, Sodexo has taken an active role within Disability:IN as leaders, mentors and more. Additionally, for the past six years, Sodexo employees that participate in SOAR (the Sodexo Organization for disAbilities Resources) serve as site visitors as part of the certification process for Disability:IN throughout the country. The company’s combined efforts led to its top corporation distinction.
Beyond supplier diversity, Sodexo advocates for disability inclusion through goals, including the organization’s commitment to make 100 percent of their workforce accessible to people with disabilities by 2025.
Sodexo's commitment to diversity and inclusion has been consistently recognized by external organizations and notable diversity publications. Recently, Sodexo was recognized as One of the Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion, for the fourth consecutive year, by the Disability Equality Index (DEI) -- a joint initiative between the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and Disability:IN. Sodexo was also named to Bloomberg's 2018 Gender-Equality Index (GEI) – its first sector-neutral list of 104 global companies, and recognized on three of FORTUNE Magazine lists in 2017, including World's Most Admired Companies, Change the World and the FORTUNE 500.
About Disability: IN
Disability:IN, formerly known as the US Business Leadership Network, is the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide. Partnering with more than 160 corporations, Disability:IN expands opportunities for people with disabilities across enterprises. The organization and 50 affiliates raise a collective voice of positive change for people with disabilities in business. Through its programs and services, Disability:IN empowers businesses to achieve disability inclusion and equality, with the goal of advancing inclusion to the point when the organization is no longer necessary.
About Sodexo North America
Sodexo North America is part of a global, Fortune 500 company with a presence in 80 countries. Sodexo is a leading provider of integrated food, facilities management and other services that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life for millions of customers in corporate, education, healthcare, senior living, sports and leisure, government and other environments daily. The company employs 150,000 people at 13,000 sites in all 50 U.S. states and Canada and indirectly supports tens of thousands of additional jobs through its annual purchases of $9.2 billion in goods and services from small to large American businesses. Sodexo is committed to supporting diversity and inclusion and safety, while upholding the highest standards of corporate responsibility and ethical business conduct. In support of local communities across the U.S., the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation has contributed close to $32 million over the past 20 years to help feed children in America impacted by hunger. To learn more about Sodexo, visit SodexoUSA.com, SodexoInsights.com and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.
