GDIT is the information technology business unit of General Dynamics, a global aerospace and defense company with more than 100,000 employees. In the D.C. area, GDIT is a major employer supporting some of the most complex government, defense, and intelligence missions around the globe.
The company’s PRIDE (People Representing Individual Diversity Everywhere) Employee Resource Group (ERG) is one of nine ERGs created to support its commitment to inclusion and foster connections across the company.
“It’s about opening the discussion we’re having within PRIDE and making sure we’re including our entire GDIT community,” said Sarah Martin, Staff Vice President of Communications and Executive Sponsor of the PRIDE ERG. “We’re hosting important conversations that shape and sharpen our focus on education and awareness, language and pronouns, parent and family support and making sure our policies align with our core beliefs around inclusion.”
GDIT leaders frequently reinforce the direct connection between diversity and inclusion and innovation – and as a leading provider of technology services to the government, innovation is an imperative for the company to deliver on its customers’ mission. Achieving the best thinking, and the best ideas requires all employees are engaged and see their role within the company. When employees are heard, seen and fully supported they innovate and do their best work for our customers and the business.
“Building an expectation of inclusion in everything we do means we are getting everyone to the table and giving airtime to all perspectives,” said Scott Nycum, GDIT’s Staff Vice President of Inclusion, Diversity and Giving. “Team members must know their points of view are valued and considered or they won’t continue to speak up and push the envelope to take risks and innovate.”
Today, the PRIDE ERG boasts hundreds of members, with membership evenly split between LGBTQ+ community members and allies. The group hosts events throughout the year that are open to all GDIT employees, including discussions for families and parents of LGBTQ+ individuals, inclusive healthcare, and candid safe space conversations about the concerns of the community.
During Pride Month, the group is sponsoring several events, such as its Out and Equal Allyship session, an all-employee conversation on actively supporting one another and creating inclusive environments where everyone can thrive and contribute to the company culture.
Also this month, GDIT participated in the Capital Pride Parade. A group of 70 team members marched together to show GDIT’s commitment to the LGBTQ+ community.
To learn more about GDIT and its commitment to inclusivity, including the LGBTQ+ community, visit https://www.gdit.com/careers/culture/diversity-and-inclusion/.
