July 6. Novant Health is No. 1 nationwide in Diversity MBA Magazine’s 2021 ranking of “Best Places for Women & Diverse Managers to Work.” Diversity MBA is a national leadership organization integrating diversity and inclusion with talent management. Novant Health was last recognized by Diversity MBA in 2020, when the not-for-profit healthcare system ranked No. 10 overall and fourth among hospital systems.

Tanya Blackmon, Novant’s executive vice president and chief diversity officer, said the healthcare the ranking was a testament to the “hard work that has gone into creating a culture of diversity, inclusion and equity.”

The companies are ranked using Diversity MBA’s benchmarking metrics, which measure how companies and organizations are investing in intentional strategies to advance women and managers who are people of color and create a sustainable culture of belonging and inclusion.

Companies are selected based on scores in areas like strategy, representation, board diversity, recruitment, workplace inclusion and retention.

—Novant Health continues to cultivate a diverse workforce and inclusive culture by providing:
Integration of a diversity, inclusion and equity lens into strategic business imperatives, including long-term goals.

—Open forums and web chats with the CEO and chief diversity, inclusion and equity officer to provide a safe space for open dialogue among team members about topics related to diversity, inclusion, and equity that affect the communities in which team members work and live.

—A supplier diversity program through which Novant Health bolsters economic growth of Women and Minority Owned Business Enterprises (WMBE).

—Cumulatively since 2006, Novant Health has spent over $1 billion to purchase goods and services from WMBEs, as well as other underrepresented groups such as veterans, people with disabilities, etc.

—The Leveraging Internal Female Talent (LIFT) Program for high-potential female leaders that includes sponsoring as well as leadership and personal development. At least 50 percent of women in the LIFT program have received promotions within the health system.

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