• No. 7 in The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for Latinos
• No. 2 in The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for Asian Americans
• No. 9 in The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for Executive Women
• No. 10 in The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for LGBT Employees
• No. 4 in The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for Global Diversity

The professional-services firm was an early leader in diversity management, the first in its industry to launch a women’s initiative and the first to have chairmen and CEOs from underrepresented groups. But fierce competition in this industry has made the war for talent a true challenge and, in the last few years, Deloitte has risen to this challenge admirably.

The company was one of the first to recognize that its clients expected diverse teams that reflect their corporate values.

The Deloitte talent-development strategy has three tenets: grow and develop diverse talent; the Emerging Leaders Development Program, a multidisciplinary professional-development program designed to prepare high-performing Black, Latino, Asian and American Indian managers and senior managers for the next step in their careers; and Navigation to Excellence, a year-long program aimed specifically at Black, Asian and American Indian women and Latinas. Also, Deloitte’s WINning Career Strategies/WINning New Business develops high-potential women managers, including those likely to make partner or principal or be promoted to director within the next two fiscal years.

The organization has multiple other talent-development programs, focused very specifically on helping individuals navigate the pitfalls that can cause them to leave or not realize their full potential. These include their eight business resource groups aimed at people with disabilities, LGBT people, veterans, Blacks, Latinos, Asians, women and global employees. These groups partner with multicultural nonprofits at conferences and events, including events for students, and they also offer networking, professional-development and mentoring programs to staff members. The groups host more than 400 internal and external events, ranging from intimate fireside chats with leaders to community involvement.

The firm also has periodic client-assessment reviews to make sure people from underrepresented groups are receiving key assignments that help their careers and the organization.

Deloitte has one of the strongest mentoring programs we’ve seen in every way, including sponsorship and coaching opportunities. The sponsors and coaches are held accountable for the success of the mentees. Almost all of its professionals and managers participate in its formal mentoring program, which has a robust cross-cultural component and is a cornerstone of its talent-development success. The business resource groups are also very involved in mentoring.

The very deep mentoring culture includes support and education for suppliers owned by women, Blacks, Latinos, Asians, American Indians, LGBT people, and veterans and people with disabilities.

U.S. Headquarters: New York

Global Employees: 182,000

U.S. Employees: 38,493

Last Year’s DiversityInc Top 50 Ranking: No. 8