Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Purpose
At Ionis, we encourage diversity in our workforce. Prejudicial barriers to human potential and productivity are foreign to our values. We recognize that in order for the full potential of our workforce to be realized, we must cultivate an inclusive culture where all employees feel empowered to contribute fully within an environment that values different perspectives, leading to better ideas and increased innovation.
Our DEI Strategy
Our four elements of DEI: Engage, Empower, Evaluate, and Evolve help to guide our efforts and measure change over time as we execute on our DEI strategy. From fostering inclusion through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), to facilitating learning through DEI training, to evaluating our demographics and the outcomes of our DEI initiatives; our DEI strategy is evolving to meet the needs of our community.
We endeavor to attract and involve our community through various programs, initiatives, and outreach. Our DEI community includes job candidates, patients, employees, suppliers, and shareholders.
Goal
Increase overall employee engagement, ERG participation, and community outreach; including students, suppliers, and patients.
Initiatives
- New Employee Opportunity Network (NEON) ERG
- Heritage Months and Cultural Celebrations
- Patient advocacy and clinical trial recruitment outreach
- Ionis NEXT ERG student outreach programs
We provide leadership development opportunities, financial resources, training, and best practice guidance to support our DEI events, initiatives, and programs.
Goal
Provide adequate resources for our employees to thrive, our ERGs to develop, and equity-seeking groups to be represented.
Initiatives
- Access to Diversity Best Practices resources
- ERG Management Software
- Ion Mentoring program
We collect, review and report on our DEI metrics. We analyze, interpret and share our outcomes as part of our overall Corporate Responsibility efforts.
Goal
Use data to inform our programs and measure our progress. Be accountable for our results through comparing against industry benchmarks and publishing our outcomes.
Initiatives
- Collect voluntary demographic data
- Review employee engagement data by demographic groups
- Annual DEI review with internal leadership
- Annual DEI review with Board of Directors
- Publish Corporate Responsibility Report annually
Informed by data and best practices, we experiment with different programs and initiatives to help us reach our DEI goals. We make iterative changes to optimize our efforts to provide innovative and integrated solutions.
Goal
Add, change and expand DEI programs and initiatives to meet identified needs of the organization.
Initiatives
- DEI Advisory Council
- Annual progress and initiatives review based on outcomes and feedback from our DEI community
Our DEI Journey
Since Ionis’ inception in 1989, our founders valued diversity and noted in our original Culture Statement that “prejudicial barriers to human potential and productivity are foreign to our values.” That language remains the foundation of Our DEI Purpose and continues to drive the DEI progress in our organization. In 2020, our leadership recognized the need to codify a formal DEI strategy to foster an inclusive and equitable workplace to ensure our employees could thrive. In mid-2020, we launched our initial ERG inclusion networks to promote diversity awareness and cultural understanding among employees. We also identified diversity metrics to track and introduced a DEI training program, allowing the organization to measure progress and hold itself accountable. Since then, the organization has seen an increase in diversity, improved employee engagement, and a thriving culture of inclusion. We continue to work toward evolving our programs and initiatives to meet our DEI goals.
2020
- ERG strategy introduced, diversity statement codified, DEI training started, and four ERGs launched
2021
- Two more ERGs started. CEO pledge for a more inclusive Life Science Industry signed, and first ESG disclosures made
2022
- DEI Advisory Council launched, ESG disclosures enhanced, 2 more ERGs added
2023
- DEI strategy formalized, external DEI website & dashboard published, a total of nine ERGs supported and growing
2024+
- DEI strategy integrated with corporate strategy
Our DEI Structure
OUR DEI COMMUNITY
An inclusive environment where all of our employees are treated fairly and can thrive over the course of their careers
A culture that attracts a diverse pool of qualified and talented people, from middle-schoolers to experienced professionals
Accessible clinical trials for representative populations and equitable access to our medicines
Programs that our shareholders value for ensuring a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce that supports business resiliency and productivity
Evaluating processes to better track and manage diverse suppliers and vendors
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
We have nine employee-initiated and led inclusion networks that allow employees to create community around common bonds or similar backgrounds. These ERGs foster a positive work environment and important social connections at work. Many of our ERGs are also active in our local communities; engaging with students, patients, and collaborating with other life science companies and non-profit organizations.
Is Ionis for You?
At Ionis, we have a passion for helping people with serious diseases and driving the science that impacts their future. If you are interested in becoming an “Ion” and joining a work environment that is designed to foster innovation and excellence, visit our Careers page.