Diversity Leadership

Raytheon's diversity initiatives are led by the company's Executive Diversity Leadership Team, which reports directly to our CEO, in partnership with the Raytheon Diversity Council. Our progress has been substantial. In 1999, when we first surveyed employees about our commitment to diversity, they ranked us in the 50th percentile of companies across a range of industries. By 2005, we had climbed to the 84th percentile, and we reached the 96th percentile in the 2008 survey. In addition, our 2008 scores were up in all five areas of the Diversity Index: valuing diversity, seeking out diverse opinions, working together, achieving diversity in hiring and thought, and encouraging the free exchange of ideas.

Our annual Diversity Summit is a pinnacle event that focuses business leaders on developing actionable diversity plans for which they agree to be held accountable. At the same time, participants at all levels learn from each other and outside experts.

Supplier Diversity

Raytheon's commitment to diversity and inclusion also extends to our suppliers. Small, minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses bring valuable perspective to the work we do and the solutions included in our products and services. They enhance our supply chain and strengthen our mission of customer satisfaction. In 2008, over 35 percent of Raytheon's procurements were from small businesses. In addition, Raytheon awarded over $470 million to small, disadvantaged businesses; $274 million to women-owned small businesses; $384 million to veteran-owned small businesses; and $120 million to services-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses.