U.S. Headquarters: New York City
Global Employees: 183,400
U.S. Employees: 172,578
Last Year’s DiversityInc Top 50 Ranking: No. 39

A consistent presence on this list (it has made all 13), Verizon, like most technology companies, has made an extra effort to recruit, retain and promote women. This company also exemplifies inclusive talent-development best practices for Blacks, Latinos and Asians.

The company launched a specific talent-development curriculum and management-training programs for people from these underrepresented groups. This year, the company also improved its relationship with the LGBT community, raising its Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index score to 100 and beginning a process to track LGBT suppliers.

Chairman and CEO Lowell McAdam signs off on executive compensation tied to diversity and is a visible supporter of D&I. The company has a diverse board of directors: Of its 12 members, four are women, three are Black and one is Latino.

Verizon has 10 resource groups, which are available across the company, including to hourly and shift workers. They are used for recruitment, on-boarding, talent development and marketplace outreach. These groups include ones based on religion, veteran status and disability.

Verizon has a solid supplier-diversity program, with mandatory Tier II (subcontractor) diversity, audited results, quarterly reports to senior leadership and support for suppliers.

• No. 9 The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for Blacks