Circana Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Last week, Circana’s Boris Oglesby received a “Distinguished 10” award from his alma mater, Grambling State University. The award, given during the school’s homecoming celebration, honors 10 graduates each year who demonstrate excellence in their industry and community. Distinguished 10 recipients “exemplify outstanding leadership in business, research, public service, and philanthropic endeavors.” Boris graduated magna cum laude from Grambling State in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. He currently serves as Executive Vice President & Practice Leader, Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco at Circana. Boris plays a critical role in pioneering our Diversity Advantage Program, which supports smaller, diverse-owned businesses with Circana’s data assets and expertise, resulting in faster scale through stronger partnerships with large retailers. We’re honored to have Boris on our team and pleased to see him receive the recognition he deserves! #ProudToBeACircanian

The fourth cohort of Circana’s Diverse Scholars Program has just kicked off! Delivered in collaboration with St. John's University and the University of Illinois Chicago, the program is designed to expose students from underrepresented backgrounds to potential career paths in the corporate world. This year’s 11 scholars will have access to Unify+ and other Circana products, and will be supported by mentors as they work toward a year-end business case study in which they will present insights and recommendations for growing their assigned brand. Over the past three years, we’ve sponsored more than 30 students and we’re delighted that 80% of the students who have completed the program have gone on to full-time opportunities and internships at Circana and other reputable companies such as Amazon, BBDO, Walgreens, CVS, Deutsche Bank, and many more. Congratulations to every member of this year’s cohort. We hope you enjoy and grow through every moment of the journey ahead! #DEIAtCircana

As we continue to celebrate the efforts and impact of our fantastic DEI committees, we’d like to spotlight our South African DEI team — a group of passionate, creative and fun humans. From engaging events and initiatives to functioning as a committee that holds Circana accountable to our broad-based Black economic empowerment (BBBEE) goals, this team takes DEI seriously and works hard to make Circana South Africa a place where everyone can thrive. We’re particularly excited about their most recent initiative — a ‘Circana Family Cookbook,’ featuring recipes from colleagues, and published as part of their Heritage Day celebrations. Circanians across the globe are enjoying digging into this taste of Ubuntu! Thank you, Janine Robertshaw (Haskins), Qiniso Khumalo, Carla Bailey, Danielle Groenewald, Samantha Goldswain, Shantal Vos, Margaux D., Kim Sasman Joseph, Julia Cassar, Cebile Mathiba, Julia Messiou, Benjamin-Jeván Duggan and Caylin Shaila Fortuin.

Thanks for following along as we celebrated #HispanicAndLatinxHeritageMonth by celebrating Circana employees and allies on our social channels! To wrap up the month, we’re spotlighting Jose Mario Jimenez. Can you share a favorite dish or recipe from your culture? One of my favorites is Salpicón, which is a shredded beef recipe. I would describe it as a sort of beef ceviche that can be served as an appetizer with chips, or as a meal with tortillas or tostadas. Here’s a recipe: https://lnkd.in/gKE8fWtn Can you share a meaningful proverb or saying from your culture? One of my favorite Guatemalan proverbs is “El que mucho abarca, poco aprieta,” which means whoever takes in too much, risks not doing many things well. Therefore, we need to set realistic goals and expectations.

Today, we recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day, honoring the history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous communities across America. This day serves as a reminder to learn about, celebrate and respect the rich heritage and resilience of Native peoples. To learn more about the significance of this day and how we can all support Indigenous communities, visit https://lnkd.in/gMfGrVT3. #IndigenousPeoplesDay #HonoringHeritage

National Coming Out Day, which began in the United States in 1988 and is now celebrated globally, is a time to celebrate the strength and courage of LGBTQ+ individuals who choose to live their truth. Coming out is deeply personal and can be a challenging process for many. It happens not just once but is an ongoing process that can be an incredibly powerful step toward authenticity and acceptance. Let’s continue championing inclusivity, committing to each other, and creating a world (both within and outside Circana) where everyone feels safe and supported in being themselves. 🏳️🌈 Learn more about the coming out process and how to offer support at Human Rights Campaign: https://lnkd.in/dbZ2vaJ #NationalComingOutDay #BeYourself #LGBTQSupport

National Coming Out Day, which began in the United States in 1988 and is now celebrated globally, is a time to celebrate the strength and courage of LGBTQ+ individuals who choose to live their truth. Coming out is deeply personal and can be a challenging process for many. It happens not just once but is an ongoing process that can be an incredibly powerful step toward authenticity and acceptance. Let’s continue championing inclusivity, committing to each other, and creating a world (both within and outside Circana) where everyone feels safe and supported in being themselves. 🏳️🌈 Learn more about the coming out process and how to offer support at Human Rights Campaign: https://lnkd.in/dbZ2vaJ #NationalComingOutDay #BeYourself #LGBTQSupport

Last month, Circana’s VIBE business resource group partnered with Love The Hair You Wear (LTHYW) on the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University campus. LTHYW is a company founded by Vecoya Banks, an NC A&T alumna, that celebrates Black hair, self-care, and education by hosting various events. Other companies, including Palmers, Pattern Beauty, Eden Bodyworks, and Myavana, also supported the event. 800+ students and other alums joined us to network and learn more about opportunities for students and post-college professionals. We hosted an information table and had the opportunity to present Circana as a potential employer and share our DEI efforts and information on our 2025 internship/recruitment opportunities. Lastly, we had the honor of presenting a $500 scholarship to Kristen Morgan, a promising student, to assist in her academic efforts. Thanks to Kelvin Thomas Jr., Kyarra Thompson, Brianca German Williamson and Latasha Tucker for leading the Circana team on this fantastic initiative and representing our values so authentically! https://lnkd.in/gnzw3R-Z

We are proud to share that Profiles in Diversity Journal has recognized Helene Yen and Lauren Cosby as Women Worth Watching in Leadership! PDJ acknowledged them for their leadership, dedication to the community, and commitment to advancing our DEI efforts at Circana. Check out the latest issue of PDJ to read their inspiring stories: https://lnkd.in/eWuuaxza 🌟 Lauren shares her leadership insights on page 74, emphasizing the pillars that have shaped her journey. 🌟 Helene highlights how her strategic planning skills have advanced her career and helped feed the hungry on page 75. Helene and Lauren represent a dedicated group of over 400 colleagues across Circana who are actively committed to advancing a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our culture. We already knew they were pretty awesome — it’s great to see others recognize this, too! Join us in congratulating these two incredible women for this well-deserved recognition! #DEIAtCircana #WomenWorthWatching #BeingTheChange

In honor of #HispanicAndLatinxHeritageMonth, we’re celebrating Circana employees and allies on our social channels! This week, we’re spotlighting Sheely Kleiner. How has your cultural background influenced your career or work ethic? Growing up in Venezuela, I witnessed economic challenges and societal changes that required resilience, creativity and innovation. This can foster a strong work ethic and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances, which can be invaluable in any career. Venezuelan culture is known for its warmth and passion. This enthusiasm can be a driving force in your work, helping to inspire and motivate others around you while also pursuing your own career goals with vigor. Can you share a favorite dish or recipe from your culture? Venezuelan food reflects its diverse heritage, with dishes like arepas, pabellón criollo (a rice and beans dish), and hallacas (a traditional Christmas dish) showcasing ingredients and techniques from various cultures. My favorite food is arepas, which we eat almost every day. Here’s a recipe: https://lnkd.in/g3xzq_kW