5th Annual NJ Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Awards

On Apr 10, 2024

The New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) and New Jersey Business Magazine are proud to honor six companies with our fifth annual NJ Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Awards. Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, Ernst & Young (EY), Integris, OceanFirst Bank, RWJBarnabas Health, and Withum are all being recognized for their commitment to DEI initiatives throughout their respective organizations.

These selected entities realize that the workforce has changed; that DEI initiatives today are moving families, society, culture and businesses forward. On the following pages, we salute those businesses and organizations that have made strides in giving opportunity to all. Please enjoy the respective company profiles below.

Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind 

www.atlanticshoreswind.com

Joris Veldhoven, CEO

Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind is built on a commitment to four core values: be safe, be a good neighbor, be a good steward of the environment, and lead with science. 

The company’s strength lies in the diverse perspectives and experiences of its team members. Through comprehensive DEI initiatives, Atlantic Shores cultivates a workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and empowered to contribute their best to delivering a clean energy future. 

From tailored training and mentorship programs, book clubs and listening sessions to fostering employee resource groups and community partnerships, Atlantic Shores nurtures a culture of inclusivity and togetherness. The company is also committed to fostering positive social change in communities across the Garden State. At Atlantic Shores, DEI isn’t a goal – it’s a culture woven into the fabric of who it is, driving its success and shaping a brighter future for all.

Ernst & Young (EY)

www.ey.com

Anthony Sgammato, Iselin Office Managing Partner 

For more than 30 years, Ernst & Young (EY) has remained steadfast in its commitment to creating long-term value for its stakeholders and fulfilling its purpose of building a better working world. Diversity, equity and inclusiveness are among the firm’s core values, and are an integral part of its business strategy and working culture. Reinforced by leadership accountability, EY has set key DEI priorities for itself that aligns its focus and drives strategic execution. This includes:

• Continuing to build a workforce that reflects diversity across a broad range of differences at all levels.
• Cultivating an inclusive culture where all differences are valued, practices are equitable, and everyone experiences a sense of belonging.
• Fostering an environment where employees are inspired and equipped to team and lead inclusively in their interactions every day.

Integris 

Integrisit.com 

Rashaad Bajwa, CEO

Integris is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. The unique differences, life experiences, skills, and talents of its employees come together to form a significant part of not only the company’s culture, but its reputation and achievements as well. Integris’ diversity initiatives are applicable – but not limited – to its practices and policies on recruitment and selection; compensation and benefits; professional development and training; promotions; transfers; social and recreational programs; layoffs; terminations; and the ongoing development of a work environment built on the premise of gender and diversity equity that encourages and enforces:

• Respectful communication between all employees
• Teamwork and employee participation, ensuring a culture of belonging
• A strong benefits and PTO program.
• Contributions to the communities it serves.

OceanFirst Bank 

www.oceanfirst.com

Christopher D. Maher, Chairman and CEO; Joseph J. Lebel III, President and COO

OceanFirst believes in providing a workplace that is inclusive, where different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences are acknowledged and respected. 

The financial institution provides diversity training for every employee, as well as programming by employee-led resource groups (ERGs) including a Diversity & Inclusion Council and WomenLEAD Committee.The ERGs help create an atmosphere of belonging and empowerment through speaker programs, events celebrating all cultures, and an employee newsletter. An annual employee engagement survey offers every employee the opportunity to anonymously provide feedback about how OceanFirst can continually enhance the workplace experience for team members.

The bank’s inclusive culture is described in its core values. Each employee plays an important role in fulfilling its core values and together it fosters an environment of respect, professionalism, and diversity that makes OceanFirst a great place to work and do business.

RWJBarnabas Health

www.RWJBH.org

Mark E. Manigan, President and CEO

RWJBarnabas Health’s mission is to deliver compassionate and equitable care to patients and empower communities to live healthier lives. The healthcare system does this by embracing inclusivity, championing diversity and fostering a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of their background, identity, or personal characteristics.

Its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion means that every patient receives respectful and dignified care at every step of their journey. From the first point of contact to ongoing medical treatment, RWJBarnabas ensures all operational procedures reflect this core principle, tailoring its approach to meet the social, cultural and linguistic needs of those under the system’s care. The healthcare system also works to actively build a diverse and inclusive workforce, mirroring the communities and patients it serves. This promotes cultural understanding, equitable access to care, and ultimately, better patient outcomes.

Withum

www.withum.com

Pat Walsh, Managing Partner and CEO

Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) is central to Withum’s people-first, values-driven culture. Putting people first creates a foundation of trust and transparency, allowing everyone to be heard and feel valued, and enhances the team member experience. In partnership with the firm’s Team Member Resource Groups (TMRGs), Withum embraces the intersections of its team members’ identities and the diverse perspectives they bring to work. This includes those who identify as people of color (Asian, Latinx, Black), a member of the LGBTQ+ community, a person with a disability, a veteran, a parent, or a woman.

The firm has three key areas of focus – Workforce, Workplace and Marketplace/Community – that drive its efforts. With a strategic focus to keep I&D at the forefront of the firm’s culture, Withum has received a score of 100% on the Disability Equality Index, been ranked a top employer for Veterans by Military Times and is Great Place to Work-Certified™.

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