Delta Dental of Illinois Top 20 Finalist for 2022 NACD Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Awards
2022 Awards Recognize Exemplary Board Practices Related to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Oct. 13, 2022) – Delta Dental of Illinois announced today that it is 1 of 20 boards that have been named as finalists for the 2022 NACD Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Awards. The awards recognize boards that have improved their governance and created long-term value for stakeholders by implementing forward-thinking DE&I practices.
“Diversity, equity and inclusion is more than hiring and retaining a diverse pool of talented professionals at Delta Dental of Illinois,” said Rheaana Guess, vice president, people and diversity officer at Delta Dental of Illinois. “It’s also creating a workplace environment where employees feel seen, heard and respected.”
“Delta Dental of Illinois has worked to achieve great strides in creating an equitable boardroom,” said NACD president and CEO Peter Gleason. “NACD is proud to honor Delta Dental of Illinois for advancing DE&I in their boardroom and throughout their organization.”
With a diverse customer base that works with many diverse partners and communities, Delta Dental of Illinois has done its best to have an equally diverse workforce and cultivate professional development opportunities for all employees. Their DE&I efforts, led and organized by their dedicated employee DE&I team and Board Culture & Compensation committee, are also vital to how Delta Dental of Illinois sells, how they serve and how they operate.
The company provides opportunities and resources for cross-cultural understanding to empower all employees through regular lunch and learn events and training, including an inclusive leadership development program with the Center for Workforce Excellence. They’ve also created a hiring process that is both intentional and strategic by connecting directly with potential candidates through targeting local diverse professional organizations and university groups.
Winners will be announced at the NACD DE&I Awards Gala at Gotham Hall in New York City on Wednesday, December 7, 2022.
Learn more about how Delta Dental of Illinois promotes a culture of inclusivity, offers advancement opportunities and fosters an open dialogue around DE&I.
About the Delta Dental of Illinois
Delta Dental is the national dental benefits leader covering 1 in 3 Americans who have dental coverage. Delta Dental of Illinois is one of 39 member companies that make up the national Delta Dental system. Based in Naperville, Illinois, Delta Dental of Illinois provides dental benefit programs to more than 6,500 Illinois companies and covers more than 2 million individuals, employees and family members nationwide. Delta Dental of Illinois is committed to improving oral health in our community and furthers this commitment through the work of Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation.
About NACD
The National who Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) is the premier membership organization for board directors want to expand their knowledge, grow their network, and maximize their potential.
As the unmatched authority in corporate governance, NACD sets the standards of excellence through its research and community-driven director education, programming, and publications. Directors trust NACD to arm them with the relevant insights to make high-quality decisions on the most pressing and strategic issues facing their businesses today.
NACD also prepares leaders to meet tomorrow’s biggest challenges. The NACD Directorship Certification® is the leading director credential in the United States. It sets a new standard for director education, positions directors to meet boardroom challenges, and includes an ongoing education requirement that prepares directors for what is next.
With an ever-expanding community of more than 23,000 members and a nationwide chapter network, our impact is both local and global. NACD members are driven by a common purpose: to be trusted catalysts of economic opportunity and positive change—in business and in the communities we serve. To learn more about NACD, visit www.nacdonline.org.