Diversity in Practice, Not Just Principle.
Most diversity programs don’t work.
Companies on our 2026 Top Most Loved Workplaces® for Diversity list prove what does.
At Most Loved Workplace®, we define diversity as creating an environment where people of different backgrounds, skills, and perspectives can contribute meaningfully, advance fairly, and align around a shared mission. It’s not about performative initiatives or political framing—it’s about measurable fairness, clear standards, and respectful treatment. Our analysis of thousands of workplaces through the Love of Workplace Index® reveals what actually moves the needle: the strongest predictor of diversity success isn’t DEI training. It’s career advancement opportunities, with a 96.7% correlation. The second strongest? Support for parents and caregivers. The companies on this year’s list prove that when you build clear pathways for growth, support employees as whole human beings, and create cultures where fairness is felt—not just stated—diversity becomes the natural outcome.
We analyzed LOWI (Love of Workplace Index) assessment data from thousands of certified workplaces.
The #1 predictor of diversity success? It's not DEI programs.
Our data shows that 96.7% of companies with high diversity scores also have strong career advancement opportunities. The companies that lead in diversity don’t rely on DEI training, they create clear, structured paths for people to grow.
The second strongest predictor? Support for parents and caregivers. The companies on our Top Most Loved Workplaces® for Diversity list prove that family-supportive policies drive diverse talent retention more than traditional diversity initiatives.
Here's what surprised us most:
According to data from our Love of Workplace Index assessment, companies scoring in the top quartile for diversity also score 22% higher on career advancement and 19% higher on support for parents and caregivers. That’s a measurable gap that translates to real retention outcomes.
Small companies dominate the top tier. Nearly half (47%) of the highest-scoring diversity workplaces are small organizations—proving that creating loved, diverse workplaces isn’t about budget size. It’s about intentional practices that make people feel valued.
What companies on our Top Most Loved Workplaces® for Diversity list actually do:
They don’t lead with diversity statements. They lead with practices that create measurable fairness: transparent criteria for promotions so diverse talent can advance based on merit, family-supportive policies that respect employees’ caregiving responsibilities, and feedback systems where all voices influence decisions—not just those who fit a dominant culture.
KnowBe4 (Computer Software, diversity score: 4.34) creates a culture where employees report “everyone is welcome AS THEY ARE.” Their “radical transparency” and CEO’s “No Door Policy” mean employees can contribute meaningfully regardless of background. One employee stated: “The freedom to be ourselves means we are more creative and productive, because we do not have to worry about these things.”
East West Bank (Financial Services, diversity score: 4.25) leverages diversity as a competitive advantage. Their multicultural team bridges financial opportunities between East and West. Employees confirm “the diversity here is real, not just a buzzword,” citing merit-based advancement and active celebration of cultural heritage.
Kyndryl (Information Technology, diversity score: 4.19) demonstrates measurable fairness at scale. 90% of 80,000+ global employees report respectful treatment, and 87% feel they can be themselves at work. Their “Kyndryl Way” principles create unity around excellence across 60 countries.
The data is clear: the most loved workplaces are diverse workplaces — not because they offer more DEI training, but because they’ve built cultures where employees can be their authentic selves, where diversity is not just celebrated but embedded into business strategy to better serve customers and drive stronger results.
Meet the Top Most Loved Workplaces®
for Diversity
Proven Growth
Real Results, Proven Impact
Our data reveals what drives diversity success across 460 certified workplaces. Small companies prove you don’t need enterprise budgets—47% of top performers are small organizations. Career advancement (96.7% correlation) and family support (97.8% correlation) matter more than traditional DEI programs.
Get Certified And Become A Most Loved Workplace
Ready to join the ranks of companies that have transformed their workplace culture? Start your journey toward becoming a Most Loved Workplace® today. Whether you want to improve employee retention, engagement, or brand value, this certification is the key to unlocking your full potential.
What Top Diversity Workplaces Actually Do
Companies on our Top Most Loved Workplaces® for Diversity list don’t just talk about inclusion.
Employee Development Frameworks Over Diversity Statements
Top-scoring companies build transparent progression paths. Employees see exactly how their roles evolve over time. One top employer offers $300 annual professional development stipends, paid sabbaticals, and covers books employees read—tangible investments in growth, not performative commitments.
Edmunds (Media/Publishing, diversity score: 4.81) builds transparent career frameworks that employees cite as a top reason for staying. One employee said: “The company’s focus on developing their employees along with our products and services” creates real advancement opportunities. Another highlighted “continuous development, striving for improvement, great teammates,” showing career growth drives diverse talent retention.
Employee Resource Groups That Actually Work
It’s not about having ERGs on paper, it’s about what they are empowered to do.
KnowBe4’s (Computer Software, diversity score: 4.34) employee resource groups exemplify real influence. Employees report “radical transparency” where “dialogue, brainstorming and feedback are all open and honest.” Their unique “no-asshole policy” protects dignity for everyone, creating psychological safety where diverse voices actually matter. As one employee stated: “Diversity and Inclusion is the culture, it’s not just what people say.”
High-scoring companies give these groups real influence. Employees lead DEI committees, CSR initiatives, and advocacy groups that shape company decisions. Transparency and trust, not tokenism.
Family Support as Diversity Strategy
The data proves it: companies with strong support for parents and caregivers score 19% higher on diversity.
UCLA Health (Hospital & Health Care, diversity score: 4.25) employees highlight “scheduling flexibility” and “collaboration with all levels” as enabling diverse healthcare professionals to thrive. One manager said: “Very inclusive, passionate about patient care and diverse,” showing family-supportive policies are essential for retaining diverse medical talent..
Top performers offer flexible work policies, wellness programs, and benefits that respect employees’ lives outside work.
Open Feedback Mechanisms
Top diversity workplaces survey employees multiple times per year, host executive job shadowing programs, and create forums where staff present ideas—and win prizes for winning suggestions. Respect isn’t a value statement. It’s a practice.
What Monday Morning Looks Like:
What Makes a Most Loved Workplace® for Diversity Different? The difference comes down to three key areas.
Here’s what sets them apart:
- Clear career paths
Employees know exactly how they can grow and move up. It’s not vague promises about “development.” It’s clear steps and real opportunities. - Real support for parents and caregivers
These companies understand that people have responsibilities outside of work. They provide policies that truly support working parents and caregivers — not just basic leave. - Fairness you can feel
People feel respected. Expectations are clear. Good work is recognized. Employees are treated with dignity and given real opportunities to succeed.
In simple terms:
A Most Loved Workplace® for Diversity makes growth clear, supports people as whole human beings, and creates a culture where fairness and respect are part of everyday work.
What Employees Actually Say
The LOWI assessment captures what employees at top diversity workplaces experience:
At KnowBe4: “The inclusivity—everyone is welcome AS THEY ARE. The freedom to be ourselves means we are more creative and productive, because we do not have to worry about these things.”
At East West Bank: “The diversity here is real—not just a buzzword. I’ve learned so much through the exposure to different departments. They celebrate all nationalities, and I love that.”
At Edmunds: “Leadership in our industry, great teammates, welcoming culture. Innovation and customer interaction drive our success.”
At UCLA Health: “Collaboration with all levels is common and encouraged. Our mission is lived every day—kindness.”
These aren’t corporate talking points. They’re real employee responses proving what the data shows: loved workplaces prioritize growth opportunities, celebrate differences authentically, and build cultures of respect.
Workplaces That Inspire Growth and Leadership
These exceptional companies have earned the Most Loved Workplaces® for Diversity distinction by fostering truly inclusive environments where all employees feel valued, heard, and empowered. Representing diverse industries, they share a vision of equity, belonging, and opportunity for all.
Using data from the Love of Workplace Index® and advanced analytics, Most Loved Workplaces® celebrates these forward-thinking organizations for setting new standards in workplace diversity and inclusion. Their commitment to building inclusive cultures drives employee engagement, fuels innovation, and ensures long-term impact.
Join us in honoring these trailblazers redefining workplace culture. For details on our methodology and the recognized companies, visit our Information Page.
