NPC recognized as top ranking company on DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NPC) has been named the top company for diversity for the second year in a row on the annual DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity listing. DiversityInc announced the results of its 2015 Top 50 Companies for Diversity on April 23 at an awards ceremony in New York, NY. NPC also ranked second on the DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for Recruitment list and seventh on the Top 10 Companies for Employee Resource Groups list.

David Epstein, Division Head, Novartis Pharmaceuticals stated, "I am very proud of how far our organization has come and how much we are committed to do to build an organization that is highly inclusive and reflects the diversity of the patients we serve."

"We are thrilled to be recognized as the top company by DiversityInc again this year," said Christi Shaw, President, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and President, Novartis Corporation. "We believe that diversity and inclusion are directly linked to achieving our goals of creating solutions that help patients manage their diseases and live fuller, healthier lives. Encouraging diversity and inclusion helps us create a culture where people can be authentic and courageous, where collaboration can flourish, and where greater patient and customer understanding can drive future breakthroughs and innovations."

According to DiversityInc, Top 50 companies have significantly more diversity than average American corporations. Compared with EEOC statistics, Top 50 companies have 20% more Blacks, Latinos, and Asians in management, and 13% more women. In the Top 10 the contrast is even sharper, with 41% more Blacks, Latinos, and Asians, and 46% more women than the US corporate average. This year, for the first time, the National Organization on Disability tracker was required for the Top 10 Disabilities list.

Each company's rank is based on objective analysis of 183 separate factors, based on data from a 300-question survey. The four equally weighted areas of measurement include Talent Pipeline, Equitable Talent Development, CEO/Leadership Commitment, and Supplier Diversity. Any company with more than 1,000 US-based employees is eligible to enter, and there is no cost to compete.

"This honor recognizes the passion and commitment of our associates who make diversity and inclusion an integral part of their daily work. Diversity and inclusion is completely aligned with what matters most to us – using sustainable business practices to meet the current and future needs of our customers, and keeping patients at the center of everything we do," said Rhonda Crichlow, Vice President and Head, US Diversity and Inclusion at Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

"Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation becomes the first company to ever be No. 1 two years in a row. This is a remarkable achievement," said Luke Visconti, CEO at DiversityInc. "Under the leadership of President Christi Shaw and US D&I Head Rhonda Crichlow, the company has developed a remarkable pipeline for underrepresented groups, especially women, who comprise 60% of Christi's direct reports."