Leidos is a FORTUNE 500® science and technology solutions leader working to address some of the world’s toughest challenges in national security, health and engineering. The company’s 19,000 employees support vital missions for the U.S. government and the commercial sector, develop innovative solutions to drive better outcomes and defend U.S. digital and physical infrastructure from “new world” threats. Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $5.06 billion for its fiscal year ending January 30, 2015.

 

Charlesiah McLean III, Ed.D., is the global head of diversity and inclusion at Leidos. He provides strategic direction for the corporation’s diversity and inclusivity efforts, internally and externally, across an ecosystem of partners. He leads the corporate office of D&I, which includes overseeing developing strategies, initiating actions and driving organizational change to support Leidos diversity and inclusion priorities.

 

In 2015, prior to joining the firm, McLean served as the senior diversity and inclusion manager and lead for the supply chain organization at Target Corporation. He led the team responsible for diversity strategy formulation and implementation at headquarters and across the North American supply chain operation. During his Target tenure he held a variety of roles in human resources, including talent acquisition, diversity recruitment and military outreach.

 

He is a current board member of the DC BLN (Business Leadership Network of Washington, DC) whose mission is “driving success through disability inclusion.” He also serves as an active member of the BDN (Black Doctoral Network), which is a multi-disciplinary clearinghouse for black and Latino scholars and professionals in the social sciences, STEM and humanities.

 

STEM Workforce Diversity

 

How is diversity part of Leidos’ culture?

 

McLean III

 

At Leidos we believe diversity and inclusion create cohesive and collaborative teams that drive innovative solutions. To help us attract and retain talented individuals, our commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in how we recruit talent, both internally and externally. We develop and promote a diverse talent pipeline by establishing mentoring opportunities with senior company leaders and encouraging diverse candidate slates for senior-level positions. Our focus on creating an inclusive workplace aligns with our core values and the way we operate every day.

 

Our employee resource groups (ERGs) are companysponsored resources that are composed of employees who join together based on shared characteristics, life experiences or interests. Several ERGs have established chapters in multiple Leidos locations and begun implementation of development programs for their members. Each ERG is aligned with the goals of Leidos via their engagement in three critical areas:

 

• Our Workforce: Attraction and retention of a diverse workforce.

• Our Workplace: Support of an inclusive workplace.

• Our Marketplace: Outreach to suppliers and communities in our various markets.

 

STEM Workforce Diversity

 

How does Leidos attract a diverse workforce?

 

McLean III

 

Our approach to attracting a diverse workforce is grounded in a strategic diversity talent acquisition focus on increasing our diverse applicant pool. We partner with various external partners at the undergraduate and professional levels that allow for our company to acquire varied talent, showcase our world-class employment brand and demonstrate our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

 

STEM Workforce Diversity

 

What qualities and skills do you seek in a new hire?

 

McLean III

 

At Leidos everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people and our community. We look for individuals that have an interest in working for an employer whose vision is to be a recognized global leader in solving important problems in national security, engineering and health.

 

STEM Workforce Diversity

 

What is the best piece of advice you can offer to help others achieve their professional goals?

 

McLean III

 

I encourage individuals to align themselves with organizations that connect with their personal passion, values and, in some instances, beliefs. I encourage my mentees to set scalable short- and long-term actionable professional goals, celebrate milestones and have an internal network that includes a mentor, sponsor and peer accountability partner.

 

STEM Workforce Diversity

 

How would you describe your company’s culture? Why is it a great place to work?

 

McLean III

 

Our company culture is bound together by our conviction that ethics and integrity are at the core of how we operate. We engage with others from a basis of trust because we believe everyone is doing his or her best and wants to do the right thing. Therefore, we collaborate to create value for our employees, our shareholders and our communities.

 

STEM Workforce Diversity

 

What jobs are you seeking to fill?

 

McLean III

 

We have employment opportunities available in multiple areas in national security, engineering, health and corporate. We’re committed to solving the world’s toughest problems. We achieve this by connecting our employees’ knowledge and our superior technologies across Leidos in pursuit of answers. We know by embracing the differences of all employees, we can unlock the creativity and innovation that makes a difference.

 

STEM Workforce Diversity

 

How can readers post resumes online for career opportunities at Leidos?

 

McLean III

 

I encourage interested readers to learn more by visiting leidos.com/careers.