Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is a business imperative

Emlyn Taylor, Group Managing Director, Lockheed Martin UK

 IWD 2022

At Lockheed Martin, we believe that our commitment to diversity and inclusion is a business imperative, and having this approach enhances our ability to recognise, value and draw upon unique perspectives and experiences to drive innovation and solve our customer’s toughest challenges.

In 1942, Mary Golda Ross was our trailblazer, she was the first female engineer at Lockheed Martin. Today, many, many thousands of women at Lockheed Martin continue Mary’s legacy as engineers, scientists, mathematicians and other key roles that are pivotal to the success of our company.

As we seek to protect lives, advance scientific discovery, and spur economic growth, we recognise that our ability to continue to shape the future will depend on attracting and retaining a talented, diverse, and inclusive workforce. Our customers turn to us every day to deliver game-changing technologies. We know that the best way to develop these technologies is with a workforce that draws from a diverse set of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.

Launched nearly twenty years ago, the Lockheed Martin Women’s Impact Network (WIN) is there to help women advance in the workplace, both for themselves and for the company. The group strives to maintain a positive culture from the inside out by investing in women and empowering them to cultivate leadership skills, business, practices, personal contacts and career opportunities. Our Women and Allies in STEM (WAIS) group strive to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists and also provides a platform to support female engineers when joining the company. Our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Employee Networks are key components of workplace inclusion – they are voluntary, employee-led groups that foster a diverse and inclusive workplace aligned with our organisational mission, values, goals and business practices. The most recent addition to our ERGs is the Menopause group who are gaining significant membership and are actively developing understanding, support and advice within the organisation. Employee wellbeing, a reduced working week and flexible hours are also a significant benefit when maintaining our happy and healthy workforce across the board.

Please support and respect every woman and girl in your lives every day. International Women’s Day is a great reminder of that. Let’s all #BreakTheBias.