Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

At Sysco, we aspire to create a global culture that is decidedly diverse, equitable, and inclusive – one where we foster belonging as we care for one another and connect the world through food and trusted partnerships. We are Better Together.

Our People Tell the Story

“

As a leader, serving as a DEI Ambassador has helped me be more self-aware when communicating with my team and have a deeper appreciation for each person's unique contributions at Sysco.

Ashley Elias

District Sales Manager - Seattle

As a steering committee member of Emerging Leaders, I learned how to strategize, plan, and execute a yearly calendar of events and engage with Sysco's leadership team. This opportunity helped me build stronger relationships in my work and build on the skillsets I needed to step into a leadership role. 

Cecilia Ku

Director, Corporate Personalization - Sysco Corporation

Sysco is better when we incorporate ideas from a wide variety of colleagues, and taking part in colleague resource groups has helped me learn from and appreciate every colleague's viewpoint.

Alfred Castillo

Strategic Sourcing Manager - Sysco Corporation

As DEI Ambassadors, we must champion our DEI initiatives across the company. By lending our voice and modeling the behavior, we ensure our purpose comes to life – Connecting the world to share food and care for one another.

Martin Fitzgerald

Operations Manager - Sysco Ireland

As a member of the Global DEI Council, I often reflect on the best ways to incorporate DEI best practices into my leadership style. By listening to and learning from colleagues across the company, I improved my understanding of Sysco as a global company and the benefits of developing a clear DEI roadmap together.

Katy Evans

Category Supply Manager - Brakes UK

Sysco’s DEI Strategy Defined

Across Sysco's enterprise, we are building a culture rooted in:
Diversity

Who is represented in the world, accounting for all of our similarities and differences (including, but not limited to, physical appearance, behaviors, voice and tone, abilities, sexual orientation, age, race, gender, religion and natural origin).

Equity

What we can do to provide resources and opportunities while removing systemic barriers and biases so that outcomes are based only on one’s talents, gifts and work.

Inclusion

How we can create a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, and ideas and perspectives are brought to a table where everyone has a seat.

Diversity

Who is represented in the world, accounting for all of our similarities and differences (including, but not limited to, physical appearance, behaviors, voice and tone, abilities, sexual orientation, age, race, gender, religion and natural origin).

Equity

What we can do to provide resources and opportunities while removing systemic barriers and biases so that outcomes are based only on one’s talents, gifts and work.

Inclusion

How we can create a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, and ideas and perspectives are brought to a table where everyone has a seat.

2023 DEI Report

Rooted in our Purpose, we endeavor each day to foster belonging as we care for one another and connect the world through food and trusted partnerships. As we fulfill our Purpose, we are building structures, resources and behaviors to ensure that everyone has a seat at our table. Our vision is to build a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment that reflects the customers and communities we serve.

Read our 2023 DEI Report to learn more

DEI Report Highlights

We aspire to create a global culture that is decidedly diverse, equitable and inclusive.
DEI at Sysco

At the highest levels of our organization, we are committed to driving progress by embracing DEI principles and best practices. With this in mind, all members of Sysco’s Executive Leadership Team continue to have scorecards designed to drive personal accountability for DEI progress. Additionally, we introduced DEI goals tied to compensation for all bonus-eligible colleagues globally, deepening DEI accountability and engagement across the organization. Our efforts have yielded external recognition in FY2023, including being named as one of Newsweek’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and a Best Employer for Diversity by Forbes.

Fostering a Workforce that Reflects the World & Creating a Workplace Rooted in Inclusion

From our frontline colleagues to our leadership, we’re making strides in ensuring Sysco’s teams reflect the world around us. In FY2023, we formed a new Diversity Recruitment team to accelerate our efforts, including a role dedicated to veteran recruiting. We continue to prioritize the workplace experience of our current colleagues, sponsoring colleagues to partake in a variety of external development opportunities and facilitating Colleague Resource Group celebrations of culturally significant occasions, offering community and connection to colleagues around the globe.

Advancing DEI in Our Communities

At Sysco, supplier diversity is woven into our strategic approach. Rather than treating it as a standalone program, it is an ongoing activity fully embedded in the way we do business. In FY2023, we proudly surpassed our goal to increase spending with certified diverse suppliers by 25%, achieving our 2025 target two years early.

In June 2023, we hosted a Supplier Diversity Education Session with nearly 400 suppliers, which included nearly 40 matchmaking sessions with Sysco representatives.

DEI at Sysco

At the highest levels of our organization, we are committed to driving progress by embracing DEI principles and best practices. With this in mind, all members of Sysco’s Executive Leadership Team continue to have scorecards designed to drive personal accountability for DEI progress. Additionally, we introduced DEI goals tied to compensation for all bonus-eligible colleagues globally, deepening DEI accountability and engagement across the organization. Our efforts have yielded external recognition in FY2023, including being named as one of Newsweek’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and a Best Employer for Diversity by Forbes.

Fostering a Workforce that Reflects the World & Creating a Workplace Rooted in Inclusion

From our frontline colleagues to our leadership, we’re making strides in ensuring Sysco’s teams reflect the world around us. In FY2023, we formed a new Diversity Recruitment team to accelerate our efforts, including a role dedicated to veteran recruiting. We continue to prioritize the workplace experience of our current colleagues, sponsoring colleagues to partake in a variety of external development opportunities and facilitating Colleague Resource Group celebrations of culturally significant occasions, offering community and connection to colleagues around the globe.

Advancing DEI in Our Communities

At Sysco, supplier diversity is woven into our strategic approach. Rather than treating it as a standalone program, it is an ongoing activity fully embedded in the way we do business. In FY2023, we proudly surpassed our goal to increase spending with certified diverse suppliers by 25%, achieving our 2025 target two years early.

In June 2023, we hosted a Supplier Diversity Education Session with nearly 400 suppliers, which included nearly 40 matchmaking sessions with Sysco representatives.

Strategic Priorities

As part of our initial three-year DEI 'Better Together' Roadmap, we established five key priorities:

DEI Fundamentals

  • Design and deliver mandatory Respect in the Workplace education series for all colleagues.

Talent Acquisition

  • 78% of all global Director+ level hired will be made after interviewing a diverse candidate slate.
  • Pilot strategy for ensuring a U.S. Sales Consultant population that reflects the available labor pool.

 

Talent Acquisition

  • 78% of all global Director+ level hired will be made after interviewing a diverse candidate slate.
  • Pilot strategy for ensuring a U.S. Sales Consultant population that reflects the available labor pool.

 

Talent Retention

  • Implement updated governance to effectively support rapid Colleague Resource Group expansion.
  • Partner with Global Talent Management to design inaugural internal women’s conference designed to further develop high-performing women colleagues.

DEI Data Analytics

  • Increase the scope of DEI metrics tracked/reported.
  • Facilitate U.S.-based self-identification campaign.

DEI Data Analytics

  • Increase the scope of DEI metrics tracked/reported.
  • Facilitate U.S.-based self-identification campaign.

Community Partnerships

  • Prioritize and address DEI gaps through participation in external benchmarking surveys.
  • Continue to enhance Sysco’s external brand recognition by participating in key DEI award and recognition efforts.

Community Partnerships

  • Prioritize and address DEI gaps through participation in external benchmarking surveys.
  • Continue to enhance Sysco’s external brand recognition by participating in key DEI award and recognition efforts.

Our Global DEI Network

Our DEI team takes the lead in developing and socializing our inclusion initiatives with support from passionate colleagues throughout the enterprise.
Colleague Resource Groups (CRGs)

Our CRGs create a strong sense of belonging and connection for colleagues around the globe. Together, they help Sysco recognize culturally significant occasions, while creating a safe space and sense of community for colleagues from often underrepresented backgrounds. Click here to view our Colleague Resource Groups.

Global DEI Council

Sysco’s Global DEI Council was established in FY2021. The Council reflects Sysco’s broader colleague population with representation across dimensions of diversity such as race, gender, age, abilities, sexual orientation, geographic location, career level and Sysco tenure. The Council was instrumental in developing the 3-year Better Together roadmap and acts as a sounding board for DEI-related policies, practices, and procedures.

Global DEI Ambassadors

Sysco’s Global DEI Ambassadors were established in FY2021 and, like the Council, reflect the broader colleague population across all dimensions of diversity. Ambassadors serve as “influencers” throughout the organization, championing DEI strategies and initiatives to ensure broad communication and alignment.

Colleague Resource Groups (CRGs)

Our CRGs create a strong sense of belonging and connection for colleagues around the globe. Together, they help Sysco recognize culturally significant occasions, while creating a safe space and sense of community for colleagues from often underrepresented backgrounds. Click here to view our Colleague Resource Groups.

Global DEI Council

Sysco’s Global DEI Council was established in FY2021. The Council reflects Sysco’s broader colleague population with representation across dimensions of diversity such as race, gender, age, abilities, sexual orientation, geographic location, career level and Sysco tenure. The Council was instrumental in developing the 3-year Better Together roadmap and acts as a sounding board for DEI-related policies, practices, and procedures.

Global DEI Ambassadors

Sysco’s Global DEI Ambassadors were established in FY2021 and, like the Council, reflect the broader colleague population across all dimensions of diversity. Ambassadors serve as “influencers” throughout the organization, championing DEI strategies and initiatives to ensure broad communication and alignment.