Equal Opportunity Publications
August 9, 2023
As the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer at Peraton, Laila Salguero is responsible for aligning the company’s DEI goals with measurable business outcomes. This year, Salguero and her team are laser-focused on building ambassadors across the organization.
“DE&I isn’t an initiative, campaign, or temporary program, but rather the foundation for business growth, customer success, and employee satisfaction,” she says. “In 2023, my team and I will work to identify strategic partners throughout the enterprise who can help clear the pathway for Peraton to operate at the next level.”
When Salguero was promoted to her current position in 2021, one of her first tasks was to conduct a listening tour. “To gain a true perspective and understanding of what people within the organization needed, I spoke with dozens of individuals, ranging in roles and backgrounds, and listened to their work experiences and what support or changes they would like to see,” she explains.
In response, multiple employee resource groups (ERGs) were created, which have proven to be a huge success. Says Salguero, “As a result of our ERGs and continued alignment with the growth and business development functions, we have created a strong foundation where employees are valued and supported while simultaneously delivering positive business outcomes for our customers.”
