As a global company with hundreds of businesses around the world, ITW’s employees represent a highly diverse group of languages, ethnicities, and cultures. That’s just one reason we’re especially sensitive to respecting these differences and encouraging the advancement of historically disadvantaged groups. ITW is also a company fueled by ideas and innovation, and we believe that a diverse workforce—one that can draw from different perspectives and experiences—generates the ideas that make for a more vibrant, effective organization.

New strategies for women’s advancement

In 2010, ITW expanded its efforts to support women at our company and, in particular, within the field of engineering. The following initiatives supplement ongoing, robust efforts to recruit women into management positions.

• Our existing partnership with The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) was strengthened in 2010 as we expanded our presence at SWE’s annual conference. Sixteen ITW engineers and managers participated in recruiting and professional development events. Dr. Lei Schlitz, ITW vice president of research and development, served as a plenary member of the conference’s global leadership panel.
• In 2010 ITW formed a new Women in Technology (WIT) group to provide additional support for our female engineers and those with technical backgrounds. Plans were developed to create opportunities for Q&A sessions and more direct contact with senior leadership; tours of local business units, and professional development workshops in partnership with the SWE.
• ITW joined Catalyst, Inc., a non-profit, research-based organization comprised of members from businesses, associations and schools and dedicated to creating workplaces that enable women to succeed. We look forward to learning from their insights and best practices.

Support for Hispanic and African-American engineers

• In 2010, ITW began the first year of our participation in the UNCF Corporate Scholars Program (UNCF is formerly the United Negro College Fund). ITW hosted five UNCF summer engineering interns at various business units. Upon completion of the internship, the interns received a $5,000 scholarship toward their education in a science, math or engineering program.
• ITW also continued its strong support of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers through advertising in their respective publications.

Celebrating diversity in ITW leadership

ITW is dedicated to recruiting people of color and women, and supporting their advancement into leadership positions. Several of our leaders and managers have been recognized for their outstanding achievements:

• Maria C. Green deputy general counsel and assistant secretary, was named in the Profiles in Diversity Journal as one of the “Women Worth Watching in 2011.” Ms. Green has completed over 100 acquisitions with acquired revenues in excess of $4 billion.
• Ann Manikas, vice president of leadership and organizational development, was honored by Diversity MBA Magazine on their 2010 list, Top 100 Under 50 Diverse Executive and Emerging Leaders.
• James H. Wooten Jr., senior vice president and general counsel, was named on Savoy magazine’s list of the Top 100 Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America—a category that received over 500 nominations.
  (See profile at right for more on Mr. Wooten.)