Jim Morrison is the Senior Vice President and Head of Jeep Brand North America
For companies like Stellantis, a commitment to promote diversity and inclusion must move beyond words and represent intentional actions that create tangible value for people and communities.
This principle is a key component of our diversity and inclusion strategy. It ensures that our commitment to recruit and engage a diverse group of employees, and advance diversity and inclusion in all areas of our business, continues to meet and exceed the expectations of our customers.
This is why we were humbled to learn that the editors of Winds of Change magazine selected Stellantis to the publication’s annual list of top 50 companies providing career and development opportunities for Indigenous STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) professionals in North America.
Stellantis was also included on this leadership list in 2021 and 2020.
Winds of Change magazine is produced by the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, a national nonprofit organization focused on “substantially increasing the representation of Indigenous peoples of North America in STEM studies and careers.”
As head of the iconic Jeep brand in North America, I know first hand the positive impact our company has in diverse communities, particularly tribal communities. As leaders, we accept our responsibility to share our success, and work to lift and create opportunities for others to succeed.
For instance, as the pandemic ravaged many tribal communities in 2020, the Jeep brand played a supportive role working with Protect Native Elders to donate and distribute face masks to 20 Native American tribes across eight U.S. states.
In 2021, the Jeep brand was also proud to partner with the Rebelle Rally, the first women’s off-road navigation rally in the U.S. and team up with Team Asdzáá Skoden Rebelles, the first all-Navajo team to compete in the Rally, driving a Jeep Rubicon 4xe.
Our commitment to Indigenous people and communities also extends deep within our company.
For instance, the ICON (Indigenous Cultural Opportunity Network) Business Resource Group at Stellantis is one of 11 employee-directed affinity groups at the company that supports networking, cultural awareness and career development of employee members.
ICON members and allies benefit from programming open to all employees that want to learn more about Native cultures. Some of the recent program offerings included beading and basket weaving workshops, book club discussions on Indigenous topics and by Indigenous authors, managing a native plant garden at our Auburn Hills complex, and health and wellness activities supporting Native causes.
This group has been a valuable resource to the Jeep brand, providing advice on Native issues and cultural nuances to strengthen our relationships with these important communities.
I’m proud to serve as a co-executive sponsor of ICON and grateful for the opportunity to support this amazing group’s efforts to bring awareness to their culture and the contributions of Indigenous peoples.
Words are important, but results are much better.
