By: David Lenahan, Director of Human Resources Global Services
Campbell is a company where you can succeed as your true self—and at this point in my career—that’s a non-negotiable. To be my best, I need to be myself, and that includes being out at work.
Today, our CEO Denise Morrison was named the #1 Ally Executive in the world by OUTstanding and the Financial Times. The listing includes 50 senior executives who are unwavering in their support for LGBT+ people. I am so proud to work for a company whose CEO is leading the way for equality in the workplace.
OUTstanding is a professional network working to ensure that LGBT+ people and their allies can be visible, safe and successful in business. Denise taking the top spot is truly in a testament to her steadfast support for diversity and inclusion at Campbell.
Bethmara Kessler, Senior Vice President of Integrated Global Services, was also honored—ranking #25 on the list of 100 top LGBT+ executives.
This group of senior role models is helping to make the working world more welcoming for LGBT+ people across the globe. Bethmara is the first openly gay member of the Campbell Leadership Team reporting directly to Denise and is a champion of our inclusion initiatives in our organization.
We’re excited to add this recognition to our perfect 100 percent score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index for eight consecutive years as well as being named to HRC’s Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality and Buying Guide for Equality for 2017. I’m proud of what Campbell has achieved.
I’m the business advisor of OPEN, our employee LGTB+ pride network, and it’s our purpose to add value to Campbell by driving initiatives that make an impact on the business and the culture. Leaders like Denise and Bethmara make that possible because they build inclusiveness into the workplace.
Through the #ForAllFamilies campaign, we celebrate Pride Month at major events across the country with our Pepperidge Farm Goldfish crackers and V8 beverage brands. Our gender-neutral parental leave policy allows the precious bonding time needed when a new child is added to the family through birth, adoption or foster placement.
Today we celebrate Denise and Bethmara and the impact that their advocacy has on our Campbell culture and across the globe. I take that celebration a step further and salute every member of our diversity and inclusion networks who continue to help make Campbell an inclusive place where people can bring their true self to work every day.
Being yourself is so important—there’s really no one else you can be!