Fairfax Employers Among Best For Diversity: Forbes

FAIRFAX, VA — As new demographic data suggests Fairfax County is becoming more diverse, various companies headquartered in the county are demonstrating diversity and inclusion are key values, according to a new report from Forbes. The magazine put out its third annual Best Employers for Diversity list, and several companies in and around Fairfax City made the cut.

Forbes partnered with Statista to anonymously survey 60,000 employees working at a business with at least 1,000 employees. Respondents were asked to rate the business on general diversity, as well as subcategories like age, gender, ethnicity, disability and sexual orientation equality. "Potential diversity gaps" among responses were accounted for, and minority respondents were also asked to nominate a business other than their own.

"The final list ranks the 500 employers that not only received the most recommendations, but also boast the most diverse boards and executive ranks and the most proactive diversity and inclusion initiatives," Forbes stated in its methodology.

In Fairfax County, 13 companies made the list, accounting for half of the DC area companies on the list.

"The workforce today – and the workforce of tomorrow – want to see a commitment to diversity and inclusion by employers, and it is a testament to these Fairfax County companies' efforts to attract talented employees from all backgrounds and walks of life that they are part of this impressive national ranking," said Victor Hoskins, president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority.

Here are the Fairfax County companies on the list:

• 51. Navy Federal Credit Union, Credit Union, Vienna
• 54. Booz Allen Hamilton, technology consulting, Tysons
• 91. SAIC, Technology Consulting, Reston
• 282. Hilton Worldwide, hospitality, Tysons
• 302. Capital One Financial, commercial banking, Tysons
• 316. Northrop Grumman, Aerospace and Defense, Falls Church
• 355. Mars, food and drink, McLean
• 368. Five Guys, hospitality, Lorton
• 436. CGI Group, technology consulting, Fairfax
• 441. Volkswagen Group of America, automotive, Herndon
• 447. Gannett, media, Tysons
• 455. Leidos, technology consulting, Reston
• 500. Bechtel, engineering and construction, Reston

See the full list from Forbes.