How These 7 Companies Foster Inclusion in Their Workplaces — and Surrounding Communities

Building a diverse workforce is one thing, but making sure everyone feels seen and heard within that workforce is a task unto itself. 

That’s the difference between diversity and inclusion, as illustrated in a quote from author and inclusion and diversity leader Nellie Borrero, which states, “Diversity is a fact, but inclusion is a choice we make every day.” As each day begins, companies can choose to empower people from all walks of life, offering them the chance to share their insight with others, find community — and make an impact. 

So what does this empowerment look like in action? At Toast, it takes the form of a nonprofit partnership that helps underserved youth gain the skills needed to thrive in a culinary career. Meanwhile, GRAIL cultivates inclusion through its ERGs, which are designed to strengthen employees’ connections with each other and help drive positive change both internally — and beyond.

For these companies and others, inclusion isn’t a matter of checking a box — it’s a deliberate choice with far-reaching impact. And that’s not all, as this emphasis on equity goes hand-in-hand with cultures that prioritize health, happiness, balance and growth, making each organization one to watch — and apply to. 

Read on to learn more about our featured companies of the month, including the ways in which they foster inclusion and the benefits that support their people. 

 

Toast’s products offer restaurants and retailers everything needed to run a business, including point of sale, payments, supplier management, and digital ordering and delivery solutions.

Supporting underserved youth: In 2024, Toast announced its decision to partner with Careers Through Culinary Arts Program and Toast.org, its social impact arm, to support culinary training programs for underserved youth across the United States. In addition to offering funding, the company also donated its own hardware and software to help students gain experience with its restaurant technology platform, setting them up with the skills needed to thrive in the culinary industry.

In an online statement, Chief Diversity Officer Angela Roseboro expressed, “Creating opportunities for underserved communities is so important to Toast and imperative for the industry we serve. Working with C-CAP is such a natural fit for Toast, and together we can help empower the next generation of culinary talent and with the skills and exposure to hit the ground running in restaurant roles from front to back-of-house.”

 

 

MetLife offers solutions for insurance, investment management, and retirement and income, operating across more than 40 markets worldwide.

Inclusion drives innovation: Last year, several MetLife employees talked with Built In to share how inclusion defines their teams. They explained that inclusion not only fosters fun cultural opportunities but also enables them to learn from each other as they pursue impactful work. 

For Principal Software Engineer Dan Xiao, this inclusion is one of the main reasons why she has stayed at the company for over a decade. “I would say the greatest benefit of working on the development team here is being on a diverse team with members from very different geographic locations, ethnic backgrounds and technical backgrounds,” she said. “You really can learn a lot from those different perspectives.”

 

 

 

Braze offers a customer engagement platform that powers lasting connections between consumers and brands they love through cross-channel messaging and journey orchestration to Al-powered experimentation and optimization.

Empowering employees everywhere: Braze Account Executive Hannah Collins caught up with Built In last year to describe how the company supports its LGBTQIA+ employees across the globe. Collins, who serves as president of the Pride@Braze ERG, said that the ERG hosts events and meetings that are designed to be accessible to all team members, regardless of where they live. 

In explaining how the ERG unites LGBTQIA+ team members together, Collins shared, “Pride@Braze passionately connects our employees with the vibrant LGBTQIA+ community through history, art, culture and community service. We are committed to building a nurturing and inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and encourages the exchange of diverse thoughts and ideas through enriching networking opportunities, educational events and outreach initiatives.”

 

 

Mission Cloud offers end-to-end cloud services, AI solutions and software for AWS customers. 

All in on representation: Mission Cloud is committed to uplifting individuals from all backgrounds, including those who belong in the LGBTQIA+ community. To give members of this community a safe space to connect, the company offers a LGBTQIA+ ERG called PRISM, where employees can come together to address concerns, drive awareness and promote equal representation across the organization.

 

 

OpenX Technologies develops adtech solutions that are designed to deliver greater reach for buyers and higher revenue for publishers.

Inclusion is everything: OpenX Technologies fosters inclusion through NEXUS, an active committee dedicated to nurturing a culture that empowers team members and creates an environment where everyone feels valued and included. The committee works to instill a profound sense of belonging among employees. In addition, there are several employee-led groups that create spaces for connection, shared experiences, and professional growth. In support of these efforts, the company also offers unconscious bias and psychological safety training.

 

 

 

GRAIL develops products that are designed to identify cancer early and partners with community and academic medical centers around the world to conduct clinical studies.

Driving positive change: In an interview with Built In last year, GRAIL Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Rayshawnda Madison described the work she does in guiding the company’s DEI strategy. She shared that she oversees the company’s ERGs, which both strengthen employees’ connections with each other and play a role in driving positive change beyond the organization. 

In Madison’s mind, GRAIL’s DEI efforts don’t just benefit employees themselves — they also help drive its mission forward. “At GRAIL, we target efforts to enhance health equity by decreasing disparities in cancer through broad promotion and equitable access to and use of multi-cancer early detection and emerging technologies,” she said. “The GRAIL ERGs create an environment where employees are better equipped to collaborate and tackle these challenges together.”

 

 

Mixbook’s platform enables consumers to use their personal photos to create physical photo books, home decor, calendars and more.  

‘Sparking open dialogues’: Patty Morris, who serves as both chief operating officer and chief financial officer at Mixbook, spoke with Built In SF to share how the company cultivates a culture that empowers everyone, including introverted individuals. She shared that she employs various practices to ensure introverts are comfortable speaking up, such as creating a structured approach to meetings that removes the pressure of on-the-spot contributions. 

Morris also advocates for the use of tools like Myers-Briggs Type Indicator assessment, believing that these tools are a helpful means of promoting self-awareness and understanding. “It’s not about categorizing people — it’s about sparking open dialogues,” she said. “When a team member openly says, ‘I’m more introverted, and this is how I best communicate,’ it’s like striking gold.”