Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

At Sysco, we aspire to create a global culture that is decidedly diverse, equitable, and inclusive – one where we foster belonging as we care for one another and connect the world through food and trusted partnerships. We are Better Together.

Adrienne Trimble, Vice President and Chief Diversity and Culture Officer

Our People Tell the Story

“

As a leader, serving as a DEI Ambassador has helped me be more self-aware when communicating with my team and have a deeper appreciation for each person's unique contributions at Sysco.

Ashley Elias

District Sales Manager - Seattle

Ashley Elias

District Sales Manager - Seattle

As a steering committee member of Emerging Leaders, I learned how to strategize, plan, and execute a yearly calendar of events and engage with Sysco's leadership team. This opportunity helped me build stronger relationships in my work and build on the skillsets I needed to step into a leadership role. 

Cecilia Ku

Director, Corporate Personalization - Sysco Corporation

Cecilia Ku

Director, Corporate Personalization - Sysco Corporation

Sysco is better when we incorporate ideas from a wide variety of colleagues, and taking part in colleague resource groups has helped me learn from and appreciate every colleague's viewpoint.

Alfred Castillo

Strategic Sourcing Manager - Sysco Corporation

Alfred Castillo

Strategic Sourcing Manager - Sysco Corporation

As DEI Ambassadors, we must champion our DEI initiatives across the company. By lending our voice and modeling the behavior, we ensure our purpose comes to life – Connecting the world to share food and care for one another.

Martin Fitzgerald

Operations Manager - Sysco Ireland

Martin Fitzgerald

Operations Manager - Sysco Ireland

As a member of the Global DEI Council, I often reflect on the best ways to incorporate DEI best practices into my leadership style. By listening to and learning from colleagues across the company, I improved my understanding of Sysco as a global company and the benefits of developing a clear DEI roadmap together.

Katy Evans

Category Supply Manager - Brakes UK

Katy Evans

Category Supply Manager - Brakes UK

Sysco’s DEI Strategy Defined

Across Sysco's enterprise, we are building a culture rooted in:
Diversity

Who is represented in the world, accounting for all of our similarities and differences (including, but not limited to, physical appearance, behaviors, voice and tone, abilities, sexual orientation, age, race, gender, religion and natural origin).

Equity

What we can do to provide resources and opportunities while removing systemic barriers and biases so that outcomes are based only on one’s talents, gifts and work.

Inclusion

How we can create a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, and ideas and perspectives are brought to a table where everyone has a seat.

Diversity

Who is represented in the world, accounting for all of our similarities and differences (including, but not limited to, physical appearance, behaviors, voice and tone, abilities, sexual orientation, age, race, gender, religion and natural origin).

Equity

What we can do to provide resources and opportunities while removing systemic barriers and biases so that outcomes are based only on one’s talents, gifts and work.

Inclusion

How we can create a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, and ideas and perspectives are brought to a table where everyone has a seat.

2022 DEI Report

Rooted in our Purpose, we endeavor each day to foster belonging as we care for one another and connect the world through food and trusted partnerships. As we fulfill our Purpose, we are building structures, resources and behaviors to ensure that everyone has a seat at our table. Our vision is to build a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment that reflects the customers and communities we serve.

Read our 2022 DEI Report to learn more.

DEI Report Highlights

We aspire to create a global culture that is decidedly diverse, equitable and inclusive.
DEI at Sysco

Our journey began in 2015 with the formation of the first D&I Council and has accelerated under the guidance of our first Chief Diversity & Culture Officer, Adrienne Trimble. We have already achieved several important milestones, which will set the foundation for more progress. As we celebrate our accomplishments, we look forward to pursuing future initiatives that will create bold, transformative change.

Recruiting Top Talent and Helping Them Thrive

Our work to attract, develop and retain top global talent is a key driver of our company’s business success. In FY2022, we increased Sysco’s workforce diversity by strategically expanding our talent pipeline. We achieved 62% ethnic and gender diversity in our U.S. colleague workforce, far ahead of our 2025 goal. We have established a cross-functional task force to develop new workforce representation goals.

Scaling Our Impact

At Sysco, supplier diversity is woven into our strategic approach - an ongoing activity fully embedded in how we do business. We set a goal to increase spending with diverse suppliers by 25% by 2025. To help us acheive this goal, we announced partnerships with five leading diversity councils and formalized our new Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program. 

DEI at Sysco

Our journey began in 2015 with the formation of the first D&I Council and has accelerated under the guidance of our first Chief Diversity & Culture Officer, Adrienne Trimble. We have already achieved several important milestones, which will set the foundation for more progress. As we celebrate our accomplishments, we look forward to pursuing future initiatives that will create bold, transformative change.

Recruiting Top Talent and Helping Them Thrive

Our work to attract, develop and retain top global talent is a key driver of our company’s business success. In FY2022, we increased Sysco’s workforce diversity by strategically expanding our talent pipeline. We achieved 62% ethnic and gender diversity in our U.S. colleague workforce, far ahead of our 2025 goal. We have established a cross-functional task force to develop new workforce representation goals.

Scaling Our Impact

At Sysco, supplier diversity is woven into our strategic approach - an ongoing activity fully embedded in how we do business. We set a goal to increase spending with diverse suppliers by 25% by 2025. To help us acheive this goal, we announced partnerships with five leading diversity councils and formalized our new Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program. 

Strategic Priorities

As part of our initial three-year DEI 'Be Better' Roadmap, we established five key priorities for FY23:

DEI Fundamentals

  • Align around formal Sysco DEI definitions and strategic plan
  • Communicate globally about DEI Strategy and focus areas
  • Design and deliver DEI 101 curriculum

Talent Acquisition

  • Assess talent acquisition process in high volume jobs for DEI gaps
  • Pilot DEI enhancements based on assessment learnings
  • Establish candidate slate diversity ambitions
  • Engage CRGs, Global DEI Council, and DEI Ambassadors in referral campaign
  • Strengthen and expand strategic partnerships to increase diversity of talent pipeline

 

Talent Acquisition

  • Assess talent acquisition process in high volume jobs for DEI gaps
  • Pilot DEI enhancements based on assessment learnings
  • Establish candidate slate diversity ambitions
  • Engage CRGs, Global DEI Council, and DEI Ambassadors in referral campaign
  • Strengthen and expand strategic partnerships to increase diversity of talent pipeline

 

Talent Retention

  • Develop specific action plans to address DEI related Sysco Speaks gaps
  • Initiate expansion of CRGs to field-based locations
  • Partner with Culture and Engagement to ensure exit interview process includes emphasis on collecting DEI related insights
  • Establish Global DEI Input Committee with representation from each international market/region

DEI Data Analytics

  • Enhance global and US DEI data tracking and reporting 
  • Build data transparency and governance processes and protocols
  • Create Annual DEI Report

DEI Data Analytics

  • Enhance global and US DEI data tracking and reporting 
  • Build data transparency and governance processes and protocols
  • Create Annual DEI Report

Community Partnerships

  • Establish partnerships with key internal stakeholder groups that have direct external DEI impact
  • Inventory, align and prioritize key partnerships that position Sysco as a company of choice

Community Partnerships

  • Establish partnerships with key internal stakeholder groups that have direct external DEI impact
  • Inventory, align and prioritize key partnerships that position Sysco as a company of choice

Colleague Resources Groups (CRG) and Global DEI Council

Our DEI team takes the lead in developing and socializing our inclusion initiatives with support from passionate colleagues throughout the enterprise.
Colleague Resource Groups (CRGs)

Our CRGs create a strong sense of belonging and connection for colleagues around the globe. Together, they help Sysco recognize culturally significant occasions, while creating a safe space and sense of community for colleagues from often underrepresented backgrounds.

Global DEI Council

Sysco’s Global DEI Council was established in FY2021. The Council reflects Sysco’s broader colleague population with representation across dimensions of diversity such as race, gender, age, abilities, sexual orientation, geographic location, career level and Sysco tenure. The Council was instrumental in developing the 3-year Better Together roadmap and acts as a sounding board for DEI-related policies, practices, and procedures.

DEI Ambassadors

Sysco’s Global DEI Ambassadors were established in FY2021 and, like the Council, reflect the broader colleague population across all dimensions of diversity. Ambassadors serve as “influencers” throughout the organization, championing DEI strategies and initiatives to ensure broad communication and alignment.

Colleague Resource Groups (CRGs)

Our CRGs create a strong sense of belonging and connection for colleagues around the globe. Together, they help Sysco recognize culturally significant occasions, while creating a safe space and sense of community for colleagues from often underrepresented backgrounds.

Global DEI Council

Sysco’s Global DEI Council was established in FY2021. The Council reflects Sysco’s broader colleague population with representation across dimensions of diversity such as race, gender, age, abilities, sexual orientation, geographic location, career level and Sysco tenure. The Council was instrumental in developing the 3-year Better Together roadmap and acts as a sounding board for DEI-related policies, practices, and procedures.

DEI Ambassadors

Sysco’s Global DEI Ambassadors were established in FY2021 and, like the Council, reflect the broader colleague population across all dimensions of diversity. Ambassadors serve as “influencers” throughout the organization, championing DEI strategies and initiatives to ensure broad communication and alignment.

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