Bringing diversity of thought to our work

Omar Ishrak, Chairman & CEO, Medtronic

 IWD 2020

At Medtronic, our history of inclusion and diversity begins with our Mission, the root of our culture. One of its tenets calls on us to recognize the personal worth of all employees.

Today, we employ more than 86,000 people worldwide, serving physicians and patients in more than 150 countries. I truly believe that we are a stronger, better company by bringing diversity of thought to our work and employing a workforce that represents our patients and customers.

Running a business is ultimately about making decisions. When we consider more diverse perspectives, we make better decisions. A more inclusive and diverse culture also fosters a wider range of innovation. And that leads to a better business and better outcomes for patients.

Further, a culture of inclusion and diversity means every employee can bring their best self to the workplace and participate in an enriching personal work experience.

Increasing diversity in our technical talent represents a large opportunity for us. In addition to ensuring more women move into R&D leadership roles, we are also focused on attracting and hiring more female engineers and scientists. One way we do this is through our Careers 2.0 program, which helps women in STEM fields return to the workforce after a break.

These programs are helping us move the needle, but we know we still have a long path ahead of us.

More than hitting a number, this is about creating a more inclusive culture that values all dimensions of diversity - because a more diverse culture fosters a more innovative culture, and innovation moves our company forward.

Let's be #EachforEqual.