Walgreens Boots Alliance diversity report reflects company’s wide focus

Walgreens Boots Alliance is doing its part to embrace diversity for the worldwide company’s 342,000 employees and the millions and millions of consumers who walk through its doors on a regular basis.

Starting nearly two years ago, the company embarked on a report to determine how it was faring with diversity and inclusion. The result is the 2018-2019 D&I Report: All Together. Different. 

“We have always conducted a D&I report,” said Carlos Cubia, WBA’s global chief diversity officer and the driver of the study. “But I wanted to go further with it. I wanted to make sure we are inclusive of all the activities going on across our organization. We want to highlight the work that we have already done, the work we are currently doing and what we need to do in the future. Our goal is to listen, learn and act as a company, and in the end, make us a better organization.” 

Cubia, who joined WBA about three years ago, said that it is vital that the WBA culture represents the marketplaces the company does business in. “We want everyone to know what we are doing here and just how vital it is to let everyone know that we are committed to giving back to all our consumers.”

Cubia pointed out that the company is committed to diversity and inclusion across the wide spectrum. That includes creating a better environment for women and people of color, but also for the LGBT community and people with disabilities, among others. 

He also emphasized how becoming more attuned to the needs of all of WBA’s employees and shoppers makes good business sense, making the company more innovative and helping its bottom line.

The report stated: “We know that diverse teams improve our performance, drive our growth and enhance engagement among ourselves and with our customers and suppliers. D&I is our DNA. It also reflects our corporate vision, purpose and values and our broader mission and strategy.”

Cubia said the report was completed before the COVID-19 pandemic started and the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, which has cast much greater awareness on diversity and inclusion around the world. “This work over the last few years is just the start for us,” he said. “I am very excited to see where we go from here. It’s a marathon and we are just at the very beginning.”

The full report is available here.