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Forbes is highlighting 500 companies from around the nation that are prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, with 19 from New Jersey making the publication’s 2024 list. 

Released April 23, Forbes’ seventh annual America’s Best Employers For Diversity ranking was created in partnership with market research firm Statista. 

Researchers surveyed 170,000 employees of U.S. companies with at least 1,000 workers. Respondents evaluated companies’ DEI efforts regarding criteria such as age, gender, ethnicity, disability and sexual orientation. 

Additionally, researchers analyzed more than 1,300 companies’ DEI practices, such as employee resource groups, employee demographic data availability, the percentage of women in leadership roles and supplier diversity.   

Forbes stressed that, as with all its lists, companies did not pay to participate or be selected. 

Four Garden State firms cracked the top 50. Ohio-headquartered Progressive insurance company was the No. 1 company named to the list. 

A Forbes representative shared with NJBIZ the New Jersey companies included in the ranking. They are: 

• No. 9: TD Bank, Cherry Hill 
• No. 11: American Water, Camden 
• No. 24: Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick 
• No. 42: Anywhere Real Estate, Madison 
• No. 70: Merck & Co., Rahway 
• No. 143: Sanofi, Bridgewater 
• No. 190: NFI Industries, Camden 
• No. 206: Inspira Health Network, Mullica Hill 
• No. 223: Automatic Data Processing (ADP), Roseland 
• No. 269: SHI International, Somerset 
• No. 291: Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), Newark 
• No. 297: Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Newark 
• No. 329: Novo Nordisk, Plainsboro 
• No. 332: Novartis, East Hanover 
• No. 383: Panasonic, Newark 
• No. 388: Conduent, Florham Park 
• No. 413: Prudential Financial, Newark  
• No. 441: Selective Insurance, Branchville  
• No. 484: Bayer, Whippany 

Recognizing their efforts 

American Water celebrated its No. 11 ranking in an April 23 statement. 

“American Water’s employees reflect the diverse communities we are privileged to serve and are proud to be recognized by Forbes for our ongoing commitment to inclusion, diversity and equity,” said Lori Sutton, American Water chief inclusion officer. “We are committed to making a positive impact in those communities while continuing to build an equitable and inclusive workplace for our employees.” 

The utility and its Garden State subsidiary, New Jersey American Water, applies its DEI strategy internally and to the communities they serve through initiatives such as the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Grant Program, launched in 2023. The company also said it is launching the Catalyst for Change program, which “aims to solidify a more inclusive and equitable culture where all individuals can bring their whole selves to work to serve the diverse communities in which we operate.” 

Anywhere Real Estate also announced its fifth showing on the Forbes list. The company noted its more than 100-spot jump from 2023, and that it is the highest ranking residential real estate company on the list. 

“We are so proud that Anywhere continues to be recognized by Forbes as a Top Employer for Diversity, a testament to our culture of inclusion and our commitment to making a positive impact,” said Troy Singleton, senior vice president, Anywhere Integrated Services, and head of the Anywhere Diversity Council, said in an April 23 statement. Singleton is also a state senator, representing New Jersey’s 7th district. 

“Our work helps people open doors to a better future, which is why we actively cultivate an internal culture where every employee is included, valued, and empowered to contribute to our mission of empowering everyone’s next move,” Singleton added. 

Anywhere noted its culture of embracing a diverse leadership representation on its board, executive committee and top leadership. it also pointed to programs such as its eight Employee Resource Groups and its Real Career Connections mentorship program. 

Facing pushback 

In a recent virtual discussion moderated by NJBIZ, panelists addressed the latest workplace trends, and acknowledged that DEI efforts have faced pushback in recent years. 

“I think the challenge has been that diversity, equity and inclusion has always been perceived as an initiative instead of as just part of the culture,” said panelist Jennifer Smith, CEO and president of Princeton-based Growth Potential Consulting. 

However, Smith advised, “When you have a diverse group of employees working for you, they’re going to help you come up with products and services that appeal to a more diverse customer base. They’ll also help you ensure that you’re not doing anything that might negatively impact your reputation based on how you roll something out.” 

Panelist Swarna Rallabandi, head of human resources for Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Inc.‘s North American headquarters in Princeton, added, “[C]orporations are a representation of larger society. So, if we are coming up with products and services to a diverse group of consumers and customers, how can we not have them in our workforce to design it for them?”