Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Opportunity for All
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Opportunity for All
We are committed to building and sustaining a corporate culture that values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Our DEI&B Mission Statement
At Stout, we honor the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. We are committed to representing and including the unique experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Our core values embrace a culture of inclusion and the equitable treatment of all team members, starting with Stout’s leadership and spreading across the organization. We strive to recruit, develop, and retain individuals with an array of talents, ideas, and experiences that propel the entrepreneurial spirit and exceptionalism that drive our success.
Our Journey to Date
The timeline below illustrates the evolution of our DEI&B strategy and accomplishments over the past decade.
2013
The Women in Business Scholarship is established.
2014
Stout introduces enhanced family-friendly benefits, including an expanded parental leave program for eligible employees.
2017
We contribute to landmark legislation that provides legal counsel for low-income tenants who are subject to eviction, ejectment, or foreclosure proceedings.
2018
Stout hosts a national Diversity Conference for its employees.
2019
Christina Carroll is elected to Stout’s board of directors, becoming the firm’s first female board member.
2020
We introduce a new leadership-sponsored and employee-led diversity, equity, and inclusion framework whose purpose is to lead, develop, and support sustainable actions surrounding five key pillars.
2021
Alan Bowser joins Stout’s board, expanding the diverse perspective of the firm’s senior leadership team and bringing his experiences as a Chief Diversity Officer to his non-executive, independent advisor role.
Stout signs the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion pledge.
The Diverse Emerging Leaders Scholarship is established.
2022
We elevated DEI&B initiatives to a corporate DEI&B advisory committee to strategically review and advise on company efforts.
We implemented advanced DEI&B recruiting strategies to expand outreach and increase our pool of qualified candidates.
2023
The Stout Pride affinity group is formed with the mission of creating an open and safe space for Stout’s LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies.
The LGBTQ+ Scholarship is established.
The People of Color affinity group is launched with the mission to promote and ensure the long-term success of our people of color by building on Stout's commitment to foster an inclusive and diverse organization.
2024
Stout partners with myGwork, the largest global business community of LGBTQ+ professionals, graduates, inclusive employers, and anyone who believes in workplace equality.
Diversity Metrics
An important part of building a workforce that reflects the clients and communities we serve is being more transparent about our progress. The below employee demographics report shows how we are progressing against diversity goals. While it is clear there is much more to do, this increased transparency will build greater trust and accountability, and ensure our diversity journey continues to proceed with purpose and speed.
Firmwide Demographics
2023
Note: Metrics as of 11/30/23.
2023 Velocity Global Impact Award Finalist
Stout brand ambassador Lizette Salas has been recognized as a 2023 Velocity Global Impact Award finalist. This award celebrates players who have helped to grow the sport of golf and to inspire the next generation of athletes to have a positive impact on the world.
Perspectives on DEI&B From Stout Employees
Stout Affinity Groups
Women’s Resource Group
Stout’s Women’s Resource Group (WRG) was originally formed in 2011 with the goal of uniting and empowering Stout’s network of talented professional women. It was relaunched in 2022 to create an all-inclusive environment to unite and empower the firm’s talented women, leverage business and philanthropic opportunities, provide relevant professional development, and offer internal and external networking programs to help female employees achieve success in the workplace and enhance their overall experience at the firm.
Stout Pride
Stout Pride was formed in 2023 to create an open and safe space for LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies to build connections and friendship. It aims to support personal and professional development, provide opportunities to give back through philanthropic activities, and promote diversity, inclusion, and acceptance within the firm by highlighting and addressing unique issues facing the LGBTQ+ community.
People of Color Affinity Group
Stout’s People of Color (POC) Affinity Group was formed in 2023 with the mission to promote and ensure the long-term success of our people of color by building on Stout’s commitment to foster an inclusive and diverse organization. It seeks to provide our people of color with the tools and resources to reach their goals.
Scholarships
Our mission is to provide financial assistance to help students succeed in their pursuit of a business-related career through the following scholarships:
- Diverse Emerging Leaders Scholarship
- LGBTQ+ Scholarship
- Women in Business Scholarship
Scholarships are open to students who demonstrate a commitment to promoting diversity and contributing to the firm’s diversity initiatives as a result of background, experience, personal attributes, or characteristics.
Learn about our past winners:
- 2024 Diverse Emerging Leaders Scholarship Winners
- 2024 Women in Business Scholarship Winners
- 2024 LGBTQ+ Scholarship Winners
Visit our student page for more information on the application process and deadlines.
CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion
Stout has joined the CEO Action’s pledge to advance diversity & inclusion within the workplace. Stout’s CEO, Craige Stout, signed the pledge to strengthen our firm’s commitment to building and sustaining a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.
CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ is the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion within the workplace. This commitment is driven by a realization that addressing diversity and inclusion is not a competitive issue, but a societal issue that CEOs can play a critical role in addressing. CEO Action is a unique collaborative of nearly 2,000 CEOs of the world’s leading companies and organizations. All the signatories of this commitment have agreed to take action to cultivate workplace environments where diverse experiences and perspectives are welcomed and where employees feel comfortable and empowered to discuss diversity and inclusion. To learn more, visit ceoaction.com.
