Samsung Electronics believes that a corporate culture that respects Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DIE) is essential for continuous innovation. In honor of the United Nations (UN) International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8, Samsung provided a platform for its employees, demonstrating how a company can embrace equity internally and externally.
As a global leader in technology and innovation, Samsung aims to lead by example and champion gender equality and the empowerment of all women in the workplace. What’s more, research shows that workplaces that excel at DEI drive better outcomes for companies, including better employee engagement, talent retention, and greater financial achievement.
(From left to right) Clara Han, Corporate Vice-President of Samsung Electronics Procurement Group; Megan Detwiler, of Samsung Austin Semiconductor; Manavi Pathak, from Samsung R&D Institute India-Bangalore (SRI-B); Adam Eaglefield, of Samsung UK; e Maria Fernanda Gonzalez, from Samsung Mexico
In celebration of the date, Samsung Newsroom brought together employees from Asia, North America, Europe, Southeast Asia and Central and South America to share stories about the company’s DEI culture. Check out the interviews below to learn how Samsung is creating a safe and inclusive workspace for all its employees.
Women supporting women through open communication
“You can have extraordinary growth when you think without prejudice and listen to advice.”
Clara Han, Corporate Vice-President of Samsung Procurement Group 2.
In addition to being head of purchasing for Samsung’s Visual Display division, Clara Han is the mother of two children who are in elementary school.
“Although there is now a growing movement around men’s participation in fatherhood, women still have difficulty building and continuing their careers after having children,” says Clara. “As a result, Samsung continually strives to create a culture where employees can be recognized and grow regardless of gender, nationality or age.”
“We are trying to create an environment in which each member of the group understands and recognizes individual differences so that everyone can have the same opportunities, receive a fair evaluation and give their best in all situations”, says Clara. “Every voice matters, and having the attitude of listening to everyone positively impacts efficiency and work performance.”
“Women’s ERG supports true growth and success.”
Megan Detwiler, Engineer at Samsung Austin Semiconductor.
Megan Detwiler, Engineer at Samsung, got involved with the Women in Technology da Samsung (WITS) shortly after starting work at Samsung Austin Semiconductor. Within the program, Megan runs several campaigns to help raise awareness of EID among employees. While she applauded the WITS professional development opportunities for women, including industry conferences, classes and monthly meetings, for Megan, the most rewarding part of the program was its sense of community.
“Through WITS, I’ve been able to connect with people across all sectors of the company, meeting those in technical and non-technical roles, at all levels of leadership, technical and professional all the way up to vice presidents,” says Megan. “People like that at Samsung, especially at WITS, put the effort into making sure you’re prepared not just to succeed, but to really grow and thrive here.”
“WITS helped me find my voice so that I had not only that confidence, but also the courage to amplify other women’s voices as well.”
“The culture of women-friendly companies promotes women leaders.”
Manavi Pathak, Head of Learning and Organizational Development at Samsung R&D Institute India-Bangalore.
Manavi Pathak, Head of Learning and Organizational Development at Samsung R&D Institute India-Bangalore (SRI-B) is also an active member of Samsung Women’s Accelerated Network (SWAN). She highlighted how an inclusive workplace successfully meets the needs of the women who work there, noting how Samsung’s DEI initiatives and culture enable talented women to succeed.
“Women themselves are demanding more from work,” said Manavi. “At Samsung R&D Institute India-Bangalore, we have female leadership development programs, diversity hiring goals, childcare policies, special leave, flexible hours and more, all of which have supported my professional development and the careers of other female colleagues. in the Samsung Search area”.
“The COVID-19 crisis has reinvented the way we work. More and more women want to work for companies that prioritize cultural change and improve workplace flexibility, including employee well-being, diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Manavi. “Companies that stand out in this regard will attract and retain women leaders.”
“Together we can make an egalitarian and inclusive culture”.
Adam Eaglefield, Engagement Team Manager at Samsung Electronics UK.
Adam Eaglefield, Engagement Team Manager at Samsung Electronics UK, is also a member of Women @Samsung ERG and your team, Male Allies. The association carries out mentoring and networking programs to develop female talent. He says that in order to carry out DEI, the most important part is that we must not only listen to women, but also break through unconscious biases and understand each other’s point of view.
“Above all, everyone must be respected.”
Maria Fernanda Gonzalez, Senior Public Relations and Communications Manager at Samsung Electronics Mexico.
Maria Fernanda Gonzalez, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communications at Samsung Electronics Mexico, is also a member of Women at Samsung (WITHOUT S). She talks about working for a company that actively empowers women and embraces equity.
“Samsung has supported me by giving me all the means to grow and develop my career, not only with opportunities to grow in leadership positions, but also with the tools to go beyond my goals”, said Maria Fernanda. “I can be an empathetic participant who contributes to the development of other members of my team.”
“I am confident that with stronger female leaders who can inspire the next generation of women, we will be able to close the gender gap in the tech industry,” said Maria Fernanda.
Lunch Talk and One Table: Collecting employee feedback to improve women’s experiences at work
To create a work environment that everyone can enjoy, Samsung holds annual events and campaigns for employees around the world to celebrate special EID days, including International Women’s Day, International Day of Persons with Disabilities and the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. For this year’s International Women’s Day, Samsung management and executives will hold a meeting called the Lunch Talk to discuss ways to improve DEI. Samsung will also host an event, One Table, hosted by Jong-Hee Han, to hear the concerns of female employees, including female developers and working mothers, as well as discuss ways to promote female leadership.
The ideas discussed at the meetings will be delivered to the Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and integrated into the organization’s management. Attendees and leaders will discuss how Samsung can make a consistent effort for gender equality and should take their views to management, with suggestions for ideas ranging from changing employee mindsets, to systemic improvement for diversity, equity and the inclusion.
Global Women’s Week: celebrating diversity, inclusion and gender equality
In celebration of International Women’s Day, Vice President Jong-Hee Han and President and CEO Kye Hyun Kyung send a message emphasizing the importance of gender equality and DEI to all employees of the DX Division. Vice President Han highlighted the value of diversity, equity and inclusion with his determination to “make an effort to form an organizational culture where all employees from various backgrounds feel that they are a part of the organization”. He emphasized his goal of helping employees “full development of their potential through equal opportunities”.
Samsung Electronics holds meetings for female executives and employees around the world, hosting annual forums and programs for female networking and career development.
Around 5,000 Samsung executives and employees worldwide interested in DEI actively participate in Samsung’s 33 ERGs, which offer everything from networking and mentoring to education initiatives. These groups work hard to not only improve the Samsung employee experience, but also volunteer to give back to the local community. Among them is the Women’s ERGs large-scale organizations that operate networking and career development programs for executives and employees to strengthen women’s skills at work.
Every year since 2017, One Family Council has held an annual charity event called “Pink Box” in Suwon Digital City for young women from low-income families. This year, a “Pink Box” containing DIY key chains, girly items and messages of encouragement will be given to 100 teens.
Every year, Samsung Electronics delivers a “Pink Box” containing feminine products for the healthy growth of underprivileged teenagers.
During the week of International Women’s Day, the overseas regional offices also host employee encounters, IED webinars with external trainers and panel discussions, as well as host gift giving events for employees and much more.
Samsung continues to work to create a space that is more than just a workplace, and that fosters employee growth, allowing them to develop to their full potential. Samsung’s move to become an organization where employees and the company can grow together is accelerating steps towards a better future.