Despite the progress companies have reported in increasing diversity, much work remains. A case in point is ChristianaCare in Newark, Delaware, which set a goal in July 2020 to grow the number of people of color in leadership roles there by 15% in three years.

Ranked at No. 40 on the list, the company is on track, growing to 46 from 41 since July 2020, a 12% increase. However, the percentage of non-white employees ranked at or above director level actually got smaller, from 15.9% that summer to 14.7% today. In other words, the growth rate for managers of color was slower than that of the overall pool.

“I saw this 12% increase, and I got excited. And then I saw that the overall percentage went down, and I stopped being excited,” says Pamela Ridgeway, the chief diversity officer and vice president of talent at the 13,000-employee healthcare system. She says she’s encouraged, though, and that experience taught her to celebrate wins and set new targets.

ChristianaCare, Delaware’s largest hospital system and private employer, also supports SB12 in its effort to have a “diverse and thriving health care workforce,” said Pamela Ridgeway, ChristianaCare’s chief diversity officer and vice president of talent...

During a press conference Tuesday, lawmakers and business leaders praised the legislation. Pamela Ridgeway, the chief diversity officer and vice president of talent for ChristianaCare, said she believes expanding access to the SEED program will also encourage students to pursue a career in health care...

Christiana Care employs about 12,000 people around the state, making it the largest private business employer in Delaware, said Pamela Ridgeway, vice president of talent there. “The key qualities we look for when hiring college grads are willingness to learn, adaptability, ability to showcase their dedication to caring for others, a passion for excellence and a desire to grow in knowledge and skills,” Ridgeway said...

Despite the progress companies have reported in increasing diversity, much work remains. A case in point is ChristianaCare in Newark, Delaware, which set a goal in July 2020 to grow the number of people of color in leadership roles there by 15% in three years.

Ranked at No. 40 on the list, the company is on track, growing to 46 from 41 since July 2020, a 12% increase. However, the percentage of non-white employees ranked at or above director level actually got smaller, from 15.9% that summer to 14.7% today. In other words, the growth rate for managers of color was slower than that of the overall pool.

“I saw this 12% increase, and I got excited. And then I saw that the overall percentage went down, and I stopped being excited,” says Pamela Ridgeway, the chief diversity officer and vice president of talent at the 13,000-employee healthcare system. She says she’s encouraged, though, and that experience taught her to celebrate wins and set new targets.