- link Copy Url - [ Share on twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Corporate Leaders Continue to See Diversity and Inclusion as a Catalyst for Innovation and Performance https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/35701?absolute=1&via=3blnews "link to 3 B L Media's Twitter") - [ Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/35701?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Linkedin") - [ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/35701?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Facebook") - [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Corporate Leaders Continue to See Diversity and Inclusion as a Catalyst for Innovation and Performance&body=ESG News from Sodexo, Inc. https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/35701?absolute=1 "Share via email") [Responsible Business & Employee Engagement](/CSR-News/responsible-business-employee-engagement) # Corporate Leaders Continue to See Diversity and Inclusion as a Catalyst for Innovation and Performance ##### Sodexo Hosts 10th Annual Diversity Business Leadership Summit at Northwestern University, featuring a special keynote address by Magic Johnson Apr 19, 2013 9:05 AM ET Campaign: [Diversity and Inclusion at Sodexo](/news/campaign/diversity-and-inclusion-sodexo) ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_2x/s3/images/_JP26327.JPG) ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_2x/s3/images/_JRP2792.JPG) ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_2x/s3/images/_JP26378.JPG) ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_2x/s3/images/_JP26408.JPG) ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_2x/s3/images/_JP26349.JPG) ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_2x/s3/images/_JP26416.JPG) ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_2x/s3/images/_JP26447.JPG) ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_2x/s3/images/_JRP2896.JPG) ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_thumbnail_x2/s3/images/_JP26327.JPG?h=265e640d) ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_thumbnail_x2/s3/images/_JRP2792.JPG?h=51a72048) ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_thumbnail_x2/s3/images/_JP26378.JPG?h=265e640d) ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_thumbnail_x2/s3/images/_JP26408.JPG?h=265e640d) ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_thumbnail_x2/s3/images/_JP26349.JPG?h=265e640d) ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_thumbnail_x2/s3/images/_JP26416.JPG?h=265e640d) ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_thumbnail_x2/s3/images/_JP26447.JPG?h=265e640d) ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_thumbnail_x2/s3/images/_JRP2896.JPG?h=51a72048) Gaithersburg, Md., April 19, 2013 /3BL Media/ — Sodexo hosted its 10th annual [Diversity Business Leadership Summit](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj0WoodE58U&feature=youtu.be) (DBLS) at Northwestern University, bringing together area business leaders, Sodexo employees, clients and guests for a day-long conference dedicated to gaining new perspectives and greater understanding of the strategic business value of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Research indicates that more diverse organizations are enjoying measurable bottom-line contributions as a result of inclusiveness. A recent study commissioned by CalPERS, for example, found that companies with diverse boards exceeded Dow Jones and NASDAQ average returns on five years, and companies that did not have diverse boards were at a competitive disadvantage. In 2010 Calvert issued a study and found that companies demonstrating a robust commitment to diversity, in addition to competitive financial performance, are better positioned to generate long-term value for their shareholders. “Leading businesses spark greater innovation by creating a climate where individuals are engaged, feel valued, are fully included in key decisions and processes and are comfortable contributing ideas.” said George Chavel, CEO of Sodexo North America. “Sodexo has a long commitment to diversity in the workplace and we host this summit every year to help businesses benefit from stronger diversity and inclusion practices.” Sodexo’s nine Employee Business Resource Groups and the Office of Diversity host DBLS, its premier diversity and inclusion event, offering attendees the opportunity to participate in open dialogue with top diversity and inclusion leaders. This year, special guest Earvin “Magic” Johnson delivered the morning keynote on the topic of creating value through community and diversity. "When you think about diversity and inclusion, it has to be in your DNA. A lot of companies talk about it. A lot of people talk about it. But, they're not about," said Johnson. "Sodexo is about it. They live it every single day." Visit [Sodexo Diversity and Inclusion on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/SodexoDiversityandInclusion) and follow its journey on [Twitter @SodexoDiversity](https://twitter.com/SodexoDiversity). **About Sodexo** **Sodexo in North America** Sodexo, Inc. ([www.sodexoUSA.com](http://www.sodexoUSA.com)), leading Quality of Life services company in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, delivers On-site Services in Corporate, Education, Health Care, Government, and Remote Site segments, as well as Benefits and Rewards Services and Personal and Home Services. Sodexo, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., funds all administrative costs for the Sodexo Foundation ([www.SodexoFoundation.org](http://www.SodexoFoundation.org)), an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $17 million in grants to end childhood hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at [www.sodexoUSA.com/blog](http://www.sodexoUSA.com/blog). [![](/sites/default/files/Clients/Right_4color.jpg)](/profiles/sodexo-inc) ### More from Sodexo, Inc. ###### [Sodexo at Vidant Medical Center Reduces Food Waste Amid COVID-19](/news/sodexo-vidant-medical-center-reduces-food-waste-amid-covid-19) Apr 8, 2021 11:50 AM ET ###### [Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Awards Two Women-Led Nonprofits With Its Inaugural Women Empowerment Grants ](/news/sodexo-stop-hunger-foundation-awards-two-women-led-nonprofits-its-inaugural-women-empowerment) Mar 30, 2021 2:20 PM ET ###### [Sodexo and 'Women Back to Work' Help Bridge the Employment Gap for Women Re-entering the Workforce](/news/sodexo-and-women-back-work-help-bridge-employment-gap-women-re-entering-workforce) Mar 15, 2021 9:00 AM ET ###### [Rollins College and Sodexo Launch New Program to Support Money to Student Emergency Fund Through Cookie Sales ](/news/rollins-college-and-sodexo-launch-new-program-support-money-student-emergency-fund) Feb 26, 2021 11:35 AM ET ###### [ Sodexo Donates $100,000 of PPE to South Florida Nonprofit](/news/sodexo-donates-100000-ppe-south-florida-nonprofit) Feb 25, 2021 2:50 PM ET ###### [Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and Sodexo Launch New Program to Address Food Insecurity With Emergency Food Kits](/news/tallahassee-memorial-healthcare-and-sodexo-launch-new-program-address-food-insecurity-emergency) Feb 25, 2021 2:00 PM ET ###### [Sodexo Receives 100% on the Human Rights Campaign's 2021 Corporate Equality Index, Earning the Designation of “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality”](/news/sodexo-receives-100-human-rights-campaigns-2021-corporate-equality-index-earning-designation) Jan 28, 2021 9:00 AM ET ###### [Sodexo Donates 46,000 Snack Packages to the Greater Boston Food Bank With the Transportation Support of Sterling Corporation](/news/sodexo-donates-46000-snack-packages-greater-boston-food-bank-transportation-support-sterling) Dec 22, 2020 5:15 PM ET