25 Years of Progress: The Journey of Dow’s Global African Affinity Network Employee Resource Group
Dow's Global African Affinity Network (GAAN) celebrates its 25th anniversary as the company's second Employee Resource Group. Established in 1999 as the African American Network, GAAN has grown to include over 5,000 members across 20 chapters globally. The network focuses on professional development, advocacy for equity, and workplace inclusion. Notable achievements include contributing to Dow's talent and supplier diversity strategies, and playing a key role in developing Dow ACTs, a multi-million-dollar initiative addressing systemic racism following the 2020 social justice movements.
Il Global African Affinity Network (GAAN) di Dow festeggia il suo 25° anniversario come il secondo Employee Resource Group dell'azienda. Fondato nel 1999 come African American Network, GAAN è cresciuto fino a includere oltre 5.000 membri in 20 capitoli a livello globale. La rete si concentra sullo sviluppo professionale, sull'advocacy per l'equità e sull'inclusione nel luogo di lavoro. Tra i risultati notevoli c'è il contributo alle strategie di diversità dei talenti e dei fornitori di Dow e un ruolo chiave nello sviluppo dei Dow ACTs, un'iniziativa da milioni di dollari che affronta il razzismo sistemico a seguito dei movimenti per la giustizia sociale del 2020.
La Red Global Africana de Afinidad (GAAN) de Dow celebra su 25.º aniversario como el segundo Grupo de Recursos para Empleados de la empresa. Establecida en 1999 como la Red Afroamericana, GAAN ha crecido para incluir a más de 5,000 miembros en 20 capítulos a nivel mundial. La red se enfoca en el desarrollo profesional, la defensa de la equidad y la inclusión en el lugar de trabajo. Entre los logros notables se incluye su contribución a las estrategias de diversidad de talento y proveedores de Dow, y su papel clave en el desarrollo de Dow ACTs, una iniciativa multimillonaria que aborda el racismo sistémico tras los movimientos de justicia social de 2020.
다우의 글로벌 아프리카 친화 네트워크(GAAN)이 회사의 두 번째 직원 자원 그룹으로서 창립 25주년을 기념합니다. 1999년 아프리카계 미국인 네트워크로 설립된 GAAN은 전 세계 20개의 챕터에서 5,000명 이상의 회원을 포함하게 되었습니다. 이 네트워크는 직업 개발, 공정성을 위한 옹호 및 직장 내 포용성에 중점을 둡니다. 주목할 만한 성과로는 다우의 인재 및 공급업체 다양성 전략에 기여하고, 2020년 사회 정의 운동 이후 체계적 인종차별에 대응하기 위한 수백만 달러 규모의 이니셔티브인 다우 ACT 개발에 핵심 역할을 한 것이 있습니다.
Le Réseau Africain d'Affinité Mondial (GAAN) de Dow célèbre son 25e anniversaire en tant que deuxième Groupe de Ressources pour Employés de l'entreprise. Établi en 1999 sous le nom de Réseau Afro-Américain, GAAN a grandi pour inclure plus de 5 000 membres répartis sur 20 chapitres à l'échelle mondiale. Le réseau met l'accent sur le développement professionnel, la défense de l'équité et l'inclusion en milieu de travail. Parmi les réalisations notables, on trouve sa contribution aux stratégies de diversité des talents et des fournisseurs de Dow, ainsi que son rôle clé dans le développement des Dow ACTs, une initiative de plusieurs millions de dollars visant à lutter contre le racisme systémique à la suite des mouvements pour la justice sociale de 2020.
Das Global African Affinity Network (GAAN) von Dow feiert sein 25-jähriges Bestehen als zweite Employee Resource Group des Unternehmens. 1999 als African American Network gegründet, ist GAAN auf über 5.000 Mitglieder in 20 Kapiteln weltweit angewachsen. Das Netzwerk konzentriert sich auf berufliche Entwicklung, Advocacy für Gerechtigkeit und die Förderung von Inklusion am Arbeitsplatz. Zu den bemerkenswerten Erfolgen zählt die Mitwirkung an Dows Strategien zur Diversität von Talenten und Lieferanten sowie eine Schlüsselrolle bei der Entwicklung der Dow ACTs, einer Multimillionen-Dollar-Initiative zur Bekämpfung des systemischen Rassismus nach den Bewegungen für soziale Gerechtigkeit im Jahr 2020.
- Network expansion to 5,000+ members across 20 global chapters demonstrates strong organizational growth
- Contributed to development of company-wide diversity initiatives and strategies
- Successfully implemented professional development programs including mentorship and sponsorship initiatives
- None.
Celebrating 25 years of purpose-driven achievement
Stephan Pierre & Flavia Venturoli
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 4, 2024 / We're committed to continuing our work, building on our legacy, and setting new benchmarks for what our ERGs and Dow can achieve.
This year is the milestone 25th anniversary of Dow's Global African Affinity Network (GAAN), our Employee Resource Group (ERG) for colleagues of African heritage and allies. It's a time to reflect on the journey that has brought us to this moment.
A quarter of a century ago, a small group of visionary employees came together with a shared goal: to cultivate an inclusive workplace that connects colleagues better to one another and to company leadership through networking, mentorship, and representation at all levels.
Chartered in 1999, GAAN, formerly known as the African American Network (AAN) , was the second ERG established within Dow. From there, GAAN has grown into a global force, encompassing a network of >5,000 members across 20 chapters-transcending continents, cultures, and backgrounds. It's served as a beacon for growth, advocacy, and empowerment for Dow employees, helping to shape a culture that values everyone's contributions.
GROWTH
Supporting professional growth
Career development has been a strategic pillar of GAAN from day one. We provide resources and opportunities for participants to advance their careers, including mentorship and sponsorship programs, and networking events like the BEST Symposium. This work ladders up to business outcomes. GAAN's legacy programming has paved the way for Dow's current day talent and supplier diversity strategies-ensuring our company is well-positioned to support the needs of our customers through teams that offer innovative global perspective with a pulse on consumer trends.
ADVOCACY
Understanding the importance of ERGs in promoting inclusion and diversity
GAAN has been an advocate for change, both within our company and in the broader community. Through the work and connections of this ERG, we've championed policies that promote equity, and we've partnered with external organizations to extend our impact. In the wake of the murder of George Floyd and the call for social justice across the world 2020, GAAN was instrumental in the development of Dow ACTs, our framework and multi-million-dollar pledge to address systemic racism and inequity.
EMPOWERMENT
Empowerment through inclusion
Inclusion is at the heart of GAAN's mission. We've worked tirelessly to ensure that every voice is heard and valued, breaking down barriers and building bridges across our company. Over these first 25 years, GAAN's initiatives have ranged from professional development to cultural awareness to community service, all designed to create an environment where everyone can thrive.
Looking Forward: The Future of Dow's Global African Affinity Network and ERGs
To the GAAN founders and all participants, past and present, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your passion has taken the vision of our ERG to heights we couldn't have imagined 25 years ago.
As we celebrate this anniversary, we're also looking forward. The world is changing rapidly, and GAAN is evolving to meet new challenges and capture new opportunities. We're committed to continuing our work, building on our legacy, and setting new benchmarks for what our ERGs and Dow can achieve.
A call to action What has Dow's ERG GAAN meant to you?
If you've been involved in GAAN, we invite you to share this article to your social media. Let us know what GAAN has meant to you over the years. We look forward to reading about your personal experience.
Stephan Pierre
Senior Manufacturing & Engineering (M&E) Project Director
Global GAAN Co-Chair
Flavia Venturoli
Commercial Director, Dow Consumer Solutions
Global GAAN Co-Chair
About the authors
Stephan Pierre is a Senior Manufacturing & Engineering (M&E) Project Director with Dow. He is also the current Global Co-chair of GAAN. Stephan has been with the company for 34 years, serving in a range of M&E leadership roles. He lives and works in Louisiana and enjoys spending time with his family.
Flavia Venturoli is a Commercial Director for Dow Consumer Solutions and also the current Global GAAN Co-Chair. Flavia has been with Dow for 24 years, holding a variety of supply chain, marketing, and commercial leadership positions. She lives in Brazil and is a passionate advocate for racial inclusion.
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Contact Info:
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SOURCE: DOW
View the original press release on accesswire.com
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