Sodexo Launches Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board to Continue Progress for Minorities, Women

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Sodexo today announced that it will launch an external Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board to help the company stay focused on, and remain accountable for, making progress on its diversity and inclusion objectives. The advisory board will be comprised of seven members from outside the company who have specific areas of expertise representing diverse communities. 

"We have made significant progress in our commitment to diversity and inclusion over the past eight years, making us a benchmark among companies in the U.S. While we have much to be proud of, there is still much more to do," said George Chavel, President and Chief Executive Officer. "I am delighted that these highly qualified and committed leaders have agreed to provide their guidance as we enter the next phase of our commitment to diversity and inclusion."

The members of the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board will act as both external ambassadors and internal advisors, providing input on company initiatives and representing Sodexo as needed in the community. Members of the Sodexo Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Board include:

• Eliza Byard - Executive Director of GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network;
• Michael Chen - President and CEO of Media, Communications, and Entertainment, GE Capital and Vice President and Officer, GE;
• Cari Dominguez - Former Chair of the US EEOC and current member of the Board of Directors, Manpower, Inc.; 
• Alexis Herman - Former Secretary of the Department of Labor and Chairman and CEO, New Ventures, Inc.;   
• John Hofmeister - Founder & CEO, Citizens for Affordable Energy and former President, Shell Oil Company;
• John D. Kemp - Partner, Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville PC (PPSV) and Executive Director and General Counsel, US Business Leadership Network (USBLN); and 
• Thomas S. Williamson Jr. - Partner, Covington & Burling and Board Member, National Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs.

Herman and Hofmeister also are members of Sodexo's North America Advisory Board, a group of respected leaders, academicians and entrepreneurs who make recommendations to guide the strategic direction of the company's operations.

"Sodexo is committed to maintaining its focus on advancing diversity and inclusion and expanding the representation of women and minorities in its workforce," said Hofmeister, chairman of the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board. "We are looking forward to helping Sodexo make even greater progress as a global leader in diversity and inclusion."

"The implementation of a Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Board reflects Sodexo's continued commitment to equality through diversity and inclusion. This is a smart and proactive step to assure accountability and to keep our diversity journey moving in the right direction," said Cynthia Carter-McReynolds, Vice President, Client Relations at Sodexo and an early advocate for a stronger corporate diversity and inclusion focus. 

The Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board's initial meeting will take place next month.  

About Sodexo

Sodexo in North America

Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), leading Quality of Daily Life Solutions company in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, delivers On Site Service Solutions in Corporate, Education, Health Care, Government, and Remote Site segments, as well as Motivation Solutions such as Esteem Pass. Sodexo, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., funds all administrative costs for the Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org), an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $13 million in grants to fight hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at www.sodexoUSA.com/blog .

Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Daily Life Solutions

Quality of Life plays an important role in the progress of individuals and the performance of organizations.  Based on this conviction, Sodexo is the strategic partner for companies and institutions that place a premium on performance and well-being, as it has since Pierre Bellon founded the company in 1966. Sharing the same passion for service, Sodexo's 380,000 employees, in 80 countries design, manage and deliver an unrivaled range of On-site Service Solutions and Motivation Solutions. Sodexo has created a new form of service business that contributes to the economic, social and environmental development of the communities, regions and countries in which it operates and to the fulfillment of its employees.

Key Figures (as of August 31, 2009)

SOURCE Sodexo, Inc.