Achieving equality and fairness requires ongoing effort, and for a business to be truly successful, it’s critical to raise awareness and create leadership and growth opportunities for underrepresented communities.
We are proud to share that Cloudera was recently named a Finalist for the Ragan 2024 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) & Diversity Awards under the Mentoring Program category for our Sponsorship Program’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I). At Cloudera, we believe that true success exists when we foster an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
Cloudera’s DE&I strategy centers on a multifaceted approach at every level of the organization. Central to this is establishing clear goals and objectives, regular reviews of diversity analytics, and enhanced transparency and accountability. The company actively engages leaders and team members across all business units to ensure widespread participation and ownership of DE&I initiatives.
The Ragan Awards celebrate the most successful campaigns, initiatives, people, and teams in the communication, public relations, marketing, and employee wellbeing industries. Its Mentoring Program award goes to organizations that champion a mentorship program that is instrumental in advancing the careers of employees from underrepresented communities. All finalists are recognized at a special event in New York City on September 27, before category winners are announced.
Cloudera’s Sponsorship Program addresses the disparity between mentorship and sponsorship experienced by underrepresented groups (URGs). Historically, these communities have not received the same opportunities as others and lack active advocates and supporters of their career advancement. The primary goal of Cloudera’s Sponsorship Program is to amplify the high-potential talent within these groups, increase their visibility within the Company, and actively advocate for them, which results, oftentimes, in talented individuals advancing into leadership positions.
“This program was life-changing for me,” said a Sponsorship Program participant. “There were many opportunities to reflect on my areas of improvement and also on the responsibility that I have to lead my own career. Besides that, to have the opportunity to learn with the Cloudera executive was remarkable.”
How the Sponsorship Program Works
Cloudera’s Sponsorship Program operates on a cohort-based model, spanning six months. It strategically pairs senior leaders, or “sponsors,” with “proteges”, Clouderans with diverse backgrounds across all company functions. This highly intentional pairing ensures that proteges receive personalized support and advocacy from experienced leaders, committed to advancing diversity and inclusion.
Through Cloudera’s partnership with Sounding Board, a renowned leadership coaching firm, proteges also receive additional professional coaching and support throughout the duration of the program. This enhances participants’ personal and professional development, empowering them to navigate challenges and seize opportunities for growth.
The Work Behind the Scenes
Cloudera’s Sponsorship Program involves meticulous planning and coordination to ensure the success of each cohort. Program administrators work closely with senior leadership to identify suitable sponsors and proteges, considering each participant’s unique strengths and aspirations.
Once pairs are established, sponsors are encouraged to advocate for their proteges, leveraging their influence and networks to create visibility and exposure to other senior leaders and professional development opportunities. Simultaneously, proteges engage in one-on-one coaching sessions with Sound Board’s certified professional development experts, focusing on career advancement, skill development, and leadership competencies. Throughout, sponsors, proteges, and program administrators collaborate closely to monitor progress, address challenges, and celebrate achievements.
Keys to Success
Cloudera’s Sponsorship Program is evaluated on its ability to elevate high-potential talent, increase their visibility within the company, and foster diverse leadership pipelines. It conducts engagement and diversity surveys to draw a comparative analysis of program participants’ sentiment relative to the rest of the employee population. These statistically backed reviews measure the number of proteges transitioning into leadership roles, participant survey feedback regarding coaching and sponsorship support, and the overall impact diversity initiatives have on organizational culture.
According to participant feedback, 84% of Cloudera’s Sponsorship Program graduates believe that people from all backgrounds have equal opportunities to succeed at Cloudera, while 83% feel like a valued member of the organization. Regular assessments and feedback mechanisms ensure that the program remains responsive to participants evolving needs while also aligning with Cloudera’s commitment to promoting DE&I initiatives.
Cloudera is honored to be recognized as a Finalist in the Mentoring Program category for the Ragan 2024 CSR & Diversity Awards. The Company remains committed to advancing the Sponsorship Program and to providing mentorship opportunities for employees from diverse backgrounds.
To learn more about Cloudera’s DE&I initiatives, click here.
