Olympus Commits to Open Dialogue, Unconscious Bias Education, Collaboration with Other Corporate Leaders and the Creation of Strategic Diversity and Inclusion Paths
CENTER VALLEY, Pa., (September 18, 2019) – Olympus, a global technology leader in designing and delivering innovative solutions for medical and surgical procedures, among other core businesses, announced today that its President and CEO of the Olympus Corporation of the Americas (OCA), Nacho Abia, has joined the growing coalition pledging to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. One of more than 700 CEOs that have come together for CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™, Mr. Abia is committing himself and OCA to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
By signing on to this commitment, OCA is pledging to take action to cultivate a workplace where diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected and where employees feel encouraged to discuss diversity and inclusion. The collective of more than 700 signatories has already shared more than 600 best known actions, exchanging tangible learning opportunities and creating collaborative conversations via the initiative’s unified hub, CEOAction.com. Among the Olympus commitments:
- Continue to support and have open dialogue on complex and sometimes difficult conversations about diversity and inclusion.
- Implement and expand unconscious bias education.
- Have Olympus share and collaborate with other companies on best practices.
- Create and share strategic diversity and inclusion paths with the OCA leadership team.
“Diversity and inclusion can raise issues that are difficult to navigate, but by encouraging constructive conversation about our differences, we believe we will strengthen our unity as an organization,” said Nacho Abia, President and CEO, Olympus Corporation of the Americas. “I am proud that OCA is committing to cultivating a work environment where employees can openly address challenges, present opportunities, and share perspectives—this commitment is in line with our goals to be a company that makes lives safer, healthier and more fulfilling around the world.” Mr. Abia speaks about the pledge in a video available here: https://youtu.be/aTEXTi3tWcs.
Organizations joining the pledge are taking a step towards effecting positive change. A diverse and inclusive workforce facilitates community, but also drives innovation and creativity. A recent study found that 85 percent of those surveyed reported that diversity is key to fostering innovation.
The CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ is led by a steering committee of CEOs and leaders from Accenture, BCG, Deloitte US, The Executive Leadership Council, EY, General Atlantic, KPMG, New York Life, Procter & Gamble, and PwC. The coalition represents 85 industries, all 50 US States, and millions of employees globally.
To learn more about the pledge, visit CEOAction.com. The website serves as a hub for information sharing, idea generation, and program development. With more than 600 best known actions shared, companies that are not currently implementing the elements of the pledge can use it as an opportunity to learn from others that are already doing so. Learning from, and sharing, actions help companies drive greater engagement within their own programs, as well as mentor others on their journey.
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About CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™
CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ is the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion within the workplace. Bringing together more than 700 CEOs of America’s leading organizations, the commitment outlines actions that participating companies pledge to take to cultivate a workplace where diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected, employees feel comfortable and encouraged to discuss diversity and inclusion, and where best known—and unsuccessful—actions can be shared across organizations. Learn more at CEOAction.com and connect with us on Instagram: @CEO_Action and Twitter: @CEOAction.
About Olympus
Olympus is a global technology leader, crafting innovative optic and digital solutions in medical technologies; life sciences; industrial solutions; and cameras and audio products. Our solutions enable specialists to look inside the human body, further scientific research, ensure public safety and capture images of the world. Throughout our 100-year history, Olympus has focused on being true to society and making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling every day.
Olympus Corporation of the Americas (OCA)—a wholly owned subsidiary of Olympus Corporation in Tokyo, Japan—is headquartered in Center Valley, Pennsylvania and employs more than 5,100 employees throughout locations in North and South America. For more information, visit olympusamerica.com
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