Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

What we believe

At ReliabilityFirst, we believe that diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) are not only moral imperatives, but also strategic advantages. We recognize that our success depends on the diverse perspectives, experiences, and talents of our employees, stakeholders, and partners. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging, where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute to our mission of ensuring the reliability, security, and resilience of the electric grid.

DEIB enhances our collective ability to:

  • Understand and address the needs and expectations of our diverse entities and communities
  • Innovate and solve complex problems with creativity and collaboration
  • Attract and retain the best talent from all backgrounds and identities
  • Learn and grow from different viewpoints and experiences
  • Respect and celebrate the uniqueness of each individual

How we are doing

We are on the path forward and have ingrained diversity into all that we do. We are focused on increasing representation across teams and holding ourselves accountable at every level. We believe in transparency, as belonging and inclusion takes all of us working together.

ReliabilityFirst has taken several actions to improve DEIB in our organization and industry, such as:

  • Establishing a council composed of employees from various departments and levels to provide guidance and oversight on DEIB initiatives
  • Conducting regular employee surveys and focus groups to assess the current state of DEIB and identify areas for improvement
  • Providing DEIB training for all employees and managers to raise awareness and foster inclusive behaviors
  • Incorporating DEIB chats into staff meetings and town halls to facilitate open and respectful dialogue on DEIB topics
  • Participating in external DEIB events and programs, such as the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Diversity Forum and the Women in Energy Leadership Forum
  • Developing a dashboard to track and report on key DEIB metrics, such as representation, retention, engagement, and satisfaction
  • Aligning DEIB goals with organizational strategy and holding senior leaders accountable for their implementation and outcomes

The results of this work can be seen in people, actions, and statistics like those to the right, as we continue to advance in all regards as an organization.

We are proud of the progress we have made so far, but we also acknowledge that we have more work to do. We are continuously learning from best practices and seeking feedback from our employees and stakeholders on how we can advance DEIB in our organization. We invite you to join us in this journey as we strive to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace for everyone.

Niki

“Improving our DEI strategies is not only the right thing to do, but it is also essential for ReliabilityFirst’s success.”

– Niki Schaefer, VP and General Counsel