By Jeff Stagl, Managing Editor
It’s been a banner year so far for BNSF Railway Co. in gaining workforce development recognition, including its diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) efforts.
The Class I added to its trophy case last month after being selected by LATINA Style Inc. as one of the top 50 U.S. companies for Latinas to work for. BNSF was ranked at No. 34.
The magazine’s annual award honors companies with exemplary DE&I practices and initiatives that aim to attract, retain and advance Latino workers.
BNSF sponsors a number of events led by its Hispanic Leadership Council (HLC), which is one of the railroad’s 10 business resource groups. Examples include a COVID-19/mental health in vulnerable communities event, a fireside chat with Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Anette Soto Landeros, a lunch and learn series, leadership panel discussions, and leadership diversity and inclusion breakdowns.
The HLC plays a key role in advancing DE&I at the railroad, said Kendall Sloan, a director of external communications at BNSF, in an email.
“[The council] is committed to the professional development of [our] employees, community engagement, and increasing awareness of our Hispanic culture for the betterment of BNSF and the entire community,” she said.
One of 10 business resources groups at BNSF, the Hispanic Leadership Council helps advance diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at the railroad. BNSF Railway Co. Working for a company that embraces her Hispanic heritage is empowering and a reminder that diversity is a strength, said Adriana Sanchez, a senior paralegal at BNSF who serves as the HLC’s president and executive director.
“Together, we can create a future that truly reflects the richness of our cultural tapestry,” she said.
BNSF also disseminates internal and external communications that provide employees more information about events, activities and observances, and strives to actively promote DE&I observances and awareness months, including Cinco de Mayo and Hispanic Heritage Month.
Moreover, the Class I aims to recruit diverse talent across all organizational levels, and create equitable experiences and programs designed to support workers’ career paths and continued professional growth.
Efforts to expand and diversify the candidate pool include visiting Hispanic-serving institutions, attending career fairs and specialized conferences — specifically the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers national conference — reaching out to niche organizations and advertising on multiple sourcing platforms, said Sloan.
“BNSF also provides funding to support [LULAC National Educational Service Centers Inc.], the nation’s premier Hispanic nonprofit education organization that provides education and leadership programs for Hispanic and other students in need of financial assistance and educational counseling,” she said.
The railroad has landed on LATINA Style’s “Best 50 Places” for Latinas to work for in the past, such as in 2007. But making the list again helps show BNSF is committed to a culture where all employees are included and have an equal opportunity to achieve their full potential, said Kalisha Holland, BNSF’s chief diversity and inclusion officer and general director of talent acquisition.
The Class I strives to develop a workplace where all employees are included and have an equal opportunity to achieve their full potential, BNSF leaders say. BNSF Railway Co. “Being recognized as one of the Top 50 Best Companies for Latinas is not just an award, it’s a profound honor that reflects our commitment to diversity and inclusion and the invaluable contributions of Latinas in the workforce,” she said. “This accolade is a testament to our dedication to creating a workplace where every voice is heard and celebrated.”
In addition to the LATINA Style honor, BNSF has garnered the following awards in 2023 for its DE&I and other workforce development achievements:
• Brandon Hall Group Excellence Award: Best Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy Leadership Award;
• Women's Choice Awards: Best Companies to Work for Women, Best Companies to Work for Diversity and Best Companies to Work for Millennials;
• Forbes Best Employers for Women;
• Newsweek's Most Trustworthy Companies in America;
• Mogul Icon Award: Top Pioneers in Diversity and Inclusion;
• Diversity Impact Award-Business Resource Groups;
• Best Place for Working Parents;
• NDC Index-Best U.S. Companies for Diversity;
• Military Friendly Employer-Gold level; and
• Disability Equality Index (Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion).
