Returning to the list for the ninth time, Abbott’s performance is attributed to the accountability measures put in place at the top and the consistency of diversity-management performance throughout the organization.

Abbott’s long-time Chairman and CEO Miles D. White personally signs off on executive compensation tied to diversity. The company’s senior executives see 25 percent of their bonus tied to diversity results, and they are evaluated on diversity recruiting, promotions and retention rates related to racial/ethnic/gender demographics and supplier diversity in their respective areas of responsibility. Further, the diversity council, which meets quarterly and is chaired by White, signs off on diversity goals and metrics, and executive compensation is also tied to council goals.

Abbott once again reports that half of its managers participate in the mentoring program. Mentors and protégés are matched on various criteria, including ensuring that there is at least a two- to five-grade difference in seniority level and that nearly 60 percent of mentoring pairs are cross-cultural.

Also important is that nearly 2 percent of the company’s total revenue is spent on philanthropy going to organizations such as Out & Equal, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and the Human Rights Campaign. One-fifth of philanthropic endeavors are directed to multicultural communities.

U.S. Headquarters: Abbott Park, Ill.

Global Employees: 91,000

U.S. Employees: 32,683

Last Year’s DiversityInc Top 50 Ranking: No. 24