Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Mission
At Walker Sands, we believe that a workforce drawing from a diverse range of experiences, perspectives and backgrounds is the backbone of an innovative and creative agency culture.
As an agency, we value the individual experiences and backgrounds each team member brings to the workplace. Our culture empowers individuals to voice their unique perspectives, and we encourage employees to consistently practice mutual respect and inclusion. Walker Sands leadership facilitates an accepting and inclusive work environment, and holds all employees accountable to welcoming and appreciating diverse perspectives.
Diversity
At our core, Walker Sands understands the importance of different perspectives, experiences and characteristics, including race, gender, sexual identity, socioeconomic background and more.
Equity
We strive for equal opportunity across all levels of the organization. This means providing opportunities based on merit and potential, working to eliminate bias in our internal operations and ensuring everyone has an opportunity to be heard.
Inclusion
We are committed to fostering a workforce that values and respects all people. By welcoming and respecting our differences, we strive to foster an environment of belonging and create a place where our employees and clients can be their authentic selves.
The Work
We are proud of our DEI work and are committed to strengthening and continuing to improve our efforts in this area.
Our recent initiatives include:
- Continue building relationships with academic, club and professional organizations to cultivate a more diverse candidate pipeline
- Encourage employees to attend educational DEI events throughout the year
- Provide opportunities for employees to discuss DEI-related topics through events or more casual coffee chats hosted by senior leaders
- Continue to take on pro-bono client work that aligns with our values and stance on DEI in the workplace
Some of our recent events include:
- A trip to the DuSable Museum of African American History and a viewing of “The Butler” to celebrate Black History Month
- Hosting a video production workshop with After School Matters, a non-profit organization that provides Chicago high school teens with after-school and summer opportunities
- Attending a Power Lunch at Chi Tech Academy, which allows students to connect with professionals across industries about their career journeys, life after school and more