While assembling this issue, we heard from any number of leaders who were seeking out a public forum in which they could share best practices, learnings and more. Which got us to wondering: What do these individuals think about the D&I practices of other organizations? To that end, we offered anonymity to leaders at a range of companies — big pharma, midsize agencies and everything in between — so that they would speak openly about D&I, and specifically, about the organizations who might be further along the diversity and inclusion continuum than their own.

Here are their responses to the question, “Who does diversity and inclusion well, in or out of pharma/healthcare, and why?”

1. Target

“Target does diversity right. It consistently pushes the needle when it comes to inclusion in customer-facing representation and messaging. It’s so embedded that it has become the company’s new normal; you scarcely see an ad (print, in store or on TV) that’s not inclusive in the broadest sense. From body image and age to race/ethnicity and abilities, it’s all there. The company also shares what it believes and its approach through outlets such as Catalyst and Diversity Inc. and more, reminding us that we’re all working toward better, no matter the industry.”

2. Johnson & Johnson

“In industry, Johnson & Johnson has approached D&I with the same brawn and rigor it does everything else in business. The CEO is a vocal advocate and champion of inclusion with its CDO reporting directly into his office — which signals it’s critical to the success of the organization at large. It’s well-resourced, broad-reaching and top-of-mind for leaders. It shines through in the company’s externally facing efforts with customers and patients, and in corporate social responsibility efforts.”

3. Pfizer

“Pfizer is a great example of D&I done well. I find that it focuses not only on getting the right mix of diverse backgrounds, but also on creating an environment where inclusion is truly prioritized and the sharing of diverse ideas and opinions is fostered and encouraged.”

4. Outcome Health

“Outcome Health does a great job. Almost half the staff is non-white, and diversity is treated more like a company value rather than a goal. There’s a diverse leadership team in place — male and female, white and non-white — so that when candidates walk in the door they can look around and say, ‘Wow, there are people here who look like me.’”

5. Apple

“I’ve been impressed with efforts at Apple to ensure a more balanced representation of women and minorities. Over half of its new hires in the U.S. are from historically underrepresented groups in tech, which allows its workforce to be representative of the people they are serving. Apple also has some interesting partnerships with community colleges, historically black colleges and universities, minority-serving institutions and others through programs such as AppleCare College to reach even more talent across all ages and career stages.”