Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at WRI

WRI welcomes, values and promotes diversity, equity and inclusion in its global workforce and across all areas of work.

We believe that integrating these values into every action is morally right. These values also increase our impact and foster a more innovative, collaborative culture for our organization. Diversity, equity and inclusion are integral to how we live our mission every day.

Vision

Each of us at WRI has the responsibility—as board members, senior leadership, managers, staff and institutional partners—to create a welcoming working environment for people of diverse cultures and backgrounds to learn together. All of us are responsible for fostering a safe and inclusive workplace where questions, concerns and information about diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our ongoing dialogue and development.

At WRI we are committed to:

  • Advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our organizational and programmatic practices;
  • Recruiting and hiring talent from various backgrounds and identities;
  • Promoting internal talent and expanding the diversity of leadership within our staff, senior management, board and advisory bodies;
  • Creating training opportunities and events for staff to engage in open dialogue about topics aimed at shedding bias and increasing tolerance and respect for others;
  • Managing and monitoring compensation increases to ensure pay equity and fairness across the organization;
  • Rejecting and eradicating any form of harassment, bullying, discrimination, retaliation or oppression;
  • Continually refining and improving our actions to address diversity, equity and inclusion across our global network, as part of a long-term change process.

We firmly believe that all of us have the right to be heard, respected, valued for our contributions and provided opportunities to succeed at WRI regardless of our geographic location, gender identity, race, age, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability or position.

In addition to guiding our programmatic and institutional practices, these principles are central to our external engagement. WRI will advocate for and champion diversity, equity and inclusion in our work with governments, businesses, donors, civil society and other institutions.

Talent Strategy

WRI’s talent philosophy is to attract, retain, develop and engage a multi-generational and multi-cultural global talent. In an environment where inclusivity is a priority, this workforce diversity increases employee morale. We strive to create a common culture we call One WRI.

  • We match our talent strategy to our ambitions and recruit staff skilled in such fields as technology, behavioral economics and political economy to deliver on the priorities in our strategy.
  • We source staff in international offices. To focus growth where the solutions lie.
  • We build bench strength and increase talent mobility. We are strengthening training in program and people management skills and provide more opportunities for employees to gain experiences by moving across WRI’s global network locations.
  • We adopt a flexible, results-oriented work environment. We offer more flexible work schedules and remote work arrangements to employees to foster a more vibrant work environment by offering employees workspace choices, save costs and reduce our carbon

EDGE Certification

WRI’s Global office is EDGE Move Certified. EDGE is the global leader in certification for gender and intersectional equality, with a rigorous certification process involving the review and measurement of an organization’s pay equity, culture of inclusiveness, gender balance at all levels and the efficacy of practices and policies meant to ensure equitable career flows for all employees. WRI obtained EDGE Assess level certification in 2020. In September 2022, WRI received the second of three certification levels, Move, showcasing the organization’s progress toward workplace gender equity. WRI is proud to be recognized for its work in closing the workplace gender gap and is committed to expanding its certification to include additional offices in the future.

EDGE Certified logo

Workforce demographics

Understanding diversity means understanding that everyone is unique, with their own unique skills, characteristics and attributes. Diversity has multiple dimensions; including, and not limited to, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies, geographic location, work experience, family status and diversity of political thought. As a starting point, WRI has captured and is reporting on nationality, race, ethnicity, age and gender, as relates to our global workforce. Data for the United States is gathered as part of our affirmative action requirements.

All staff

Data from most recent year available. Use arrows to view previous years.

Baby Boomers: Born between 1946 and 1964.
Generation X: Born between 1965 and 1980.
Millennials/Gen Y: Born between 1981 and 1996.
Gen Z: Born between 1997 and 2012

Executive Team

WRI’s global executive team includes WRI’s senior leadership team. The executive team provides strategic and operational leadership to the institute. This team is responsible for WRI’s cultural DNA.

Management Team

WRI’s global management team is WRI’s senior leadership team. It includes our executive team and leaders from our International offices. This team is responsible for the overall programmatic direction and building the common culture called One WRI throughout our global network.

Baby Boomers: Born between 1946 and 1964.
Generation X: Born between 1965 and 1980.
Millennials/Gen Y: Born between 1981 and 1996.

Board of Directors

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