Diversity

The Corporate Diversity Council, which is co-chaired by Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt and Chief Diversity Officer Deborah Elam, comprises more than 20 senior executive leaders from various businesses and functions. Through quarterly council meetings and detailed initiatives, diversity strategies and ideas are channeled through an operational rhythm and measured by rigorous metrics. The council also includes a deep-dive look into a business’ or function’s diversity initiatives, challenges and opportunities as part of these meetings.

In 2010, our Affinity Networks and Employee Groups focused on digital excellence as a means to bring network leadership and employees together in targeted ways. Through a series of webcasts, online town halls, panel discussions and other creative virtual events, the networks/groups conveniently communicated with wide cross-sections of their members. The African American Forum held quarterly global webinars that reached nearly 1,500 participants. GE Veterans Network created a website where 2,000 of its members have the ability to exchange career and military information via a blog. The Women’s Network expanded its webcast series to include information on women’s heart health that complements the Company’s HealthAhead initiative. The combined webcasts reached 6,700 members and featured a physician and subject matter experts in areas related to heart-health triggers. Our Asian Pacific American Forum hosted 15 national webinars that attracted more than 3,000 members and utilized a wide array of communications technologies to reach members, including creating resource libraries, social networking sites and providing an online job post for GE roles in Asia. The Hispanic Forum held semiannual Leadership Town Hall Teleconferences to communicate priorities and progress and, combined with its other virtual offerings, such as its Executive Speaker Series and a special webinar featuring Latino artists during Hispanic Heritage Month, touched over 2,000 members virtually. Hispanic Forum launched HispaNet, a business/social networking tool that allows its members to connect and develop in new ways. In addition, our GLBTA Alliance hosted a Pride Month Town Hall call that featured, as a keynote speaker, Jon Barrett, Editor in Chief of The Advocate, and reached 200 employees. And, in December, Jeff Immelt hosted a global employee broadcast where he shared an update on GE strategy and answered employee questions for an audience of more than 9,000 live and virtual viewers.

The Affinity Networks were also instrumental in leading big themes across the Company during 2010. In a time when having government as a customer was key to business success, our networks played a critical role in driving government support for GE’s strategic initiatives. Through events such as the Asian Pacific American Forum’s Bridging U.S. & Asia Policy Symposium, which enhanced relationships with U.S. and Asia policy makers; the Women’s Network’s STEM and mentoring events with the Congressional Women’s Caucus, the African American Forum’s reception at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference, which hosted 1,800 officials, luminaries and GE leaders, the Hispanic Forum’s engagement with organizations such as LULAC, NCLR, Hispanic Federation and CNC, as well as the Veteran’s Networks participation in the Marine Corps Marathon, our networks are building relationships to support and enhance our corporate government-relations efforts and, in turn, have become better connected and educated on issues important to minority groups on the national stage. The Affinity Networks were also instrumental in expanding our global commitment to develop health and expand access to quality healthcare for millions of people. In October 2009, GE and the GE Foundation announced “Developing Health,” a program created by the Corporate Diversity Council and the GE Foundation. The Developing Health program builds on the success of the existing Developing Health Globally program, and through the volunteer efforts of the Affinity Networks, aims to increase access to primary care for underserved populations in targeted communities in the United States. Since its launch, the Developing Health program has awarded over $10.5 million to 45 health centers in nine cities and has touched more than 300,000 patients. Furthermore, the Affinity Networks played a critical role in external talent identification. The Hispanic Forum’s UNIDOS mentoring program, Asian Pacific American Forum’s Igniting Minds Program, Veteran’s Network’s Junior Officer Leadership Program and African American Forum’s Black Greek Letter Organization partnership are all unique programs designed to attract diverse talent to GE.

“Diversity Council members have open and candid conversations about diversity,” said Elam. “It is a venue that engages senior leadership in building an inclusive culture, team and environment where diversity is both embraced and leveraged as a competitive advantage. As we enter 2011, the Corporate Diversity Council will focus on Company initiatives and support our networks as they recruit, promote and retain GE employees.”