The Hershey Company was recently ranked at the top of Forbes' inaugural list of the World's Top Female-Friendly Companies. In putting together the list, Forbes partnered with the market research firm Statista to identify companies that led the way in supporting women both inside and outside of their workforce. According to the media brand, 85,000 women in 40 countries were surveyed as part of the research to compile the list. Women were asked to 'assess how companies use their platforms and marketing messages: to promote gender equality or to perpetuate negative stereotypes.' 300 honorees were selected as part of the list.
"At Hershey, we are more than female friendly – we are female forward," said Alicia Petross, Chief Diversity Officer of The Hershey Company. "From internal initiatives, such as pay equity, our hiring and development strategy and women's business resource group, to external initiatives, such as the International Women's Day HerSHEy's bar and our ongoing community engagement efforts to support all youth, this recognition is a testament to our continued commitment to gender equity across our organization."
Michele Buck, who has led the 127-year old Pennsylvania-based chocolatier, came into her post as CEO in 2017. She is one of 20 women in the list of 300 companies recognized that serve in that role. Women currently make up 42% of Hershey's Board, the company notes, with 37% of its global leaders being women.
In 2020, Hershey announced its Pathways Project, a component of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts. As part of its Pathways Project, the company aims to achieve dollar-for-dollar pay equity for salaried employees worldwide as well as increasing representation among all of its employees by 2025. Part of its goals include an employee base that is 47-50% women and 30-40% people of color.
