Indy Airport’s Commitment to Diversity Earns International, Local Spotlight

The Indianapolis Airport Authority has recently been in the spotlight both industry-wide and locally for its committed and consistent leadership in diversity and championing inclusion to shape a culture of high-performance and community alignment.

The IAA was recognized with the Diversity in Leadership Award last week at the City of Indianapolis’ 20th Annual Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity event. The IAA was honored for its intentional and diligent work in making diversity and inclusion a priority across its organizational operations, board policies and participation, supplier procurement and community partnerships.

In addition to participating broadly in a long list of Indiana diverse community groups and initiatives, such as the Indianapolis Government Alliance on Race and Equity, Business Equity for Indy, Indianapolis Urban League African American Quality of Life Initiative and the Mayor’s Latino Advisory Council, approximately 58 percent of the IAA’s leadership is made up of racial minorities and women. These roles include the first female IAA board president, Barbara Glass, and the IAA’s first diversity officer, Holli Harrington, who works with leadership to promote equity in operations, processes and systems.

“Because diversity is one of our greatest strengths, it is vital that Indianapolis institutions demonstrate a commitment to inclusion through policies and practices,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “The Indianapolis Airport Authority has not only met that expectation, but excelled amongst their peers. I was proud to recognize them with the Diversity in Leadership Award at the 20th Annual Mayor’s Celebration of Diversity event.” In July, the IAA was also recognized with an Airports Council International-North America’s 2021 Inclusion Champion Award for fostering and increasing job opportunities for businesses and building a diverse workforce that represents and serves its community.

Its diligent and consistent year-over-year outreach efforts to foster and increase opportunities via supplier diversity has resulted in the IAA exceeding its diverse supplier participation in 2020, achieving 40 percent participation with small and diverse businesses, despite the world being in the middle of a global pandemic.

The award also recognized IAA’s internal pay-equity analysis, which ensures that employees of all races, genders and job titles are compensated equitably – and that leadership opportunities and internal promotions are frequently monitored to ensure equity across the organization.

“We consider that equity is a moral imperative, and it is this principle in equity and inclusion that allows us to build the high-performing culture that makes the Indianapolis International Airport the best airport in North America,” said Mario Rodriguez, IAA executive director.

Other organizations are also taking note of IAA’s diversity efforts across the organization and among its leadership.

Last year, the IAA was honored for its accessibility program through the Civil Rights Advocate and Partner Award from the Federal Aviation Administration. The IAA’s Title VI program was also honored in these awards in 2019. The Indiana Civil Rights Commission recognized the IAA with a 2019 Diversity and Inclusion Award. For many years, the IAA has been honored for its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Additionally, Rodriguez has been honored among a list of prominent Indianapolis male leaders identified as Men of Excellence by the Circle City Links organization for his ability to rise above adversity. He was also named a 2020 Champion of Diversity by Indiana Minority Business Magazine and received a Leadership Award from the Indy Chamber’s Hispanic Business Council. IAA’s Senior Director of Supplier Diversity and Diversity Officer Holli Harrington was named a Top 15 Women in Power Impacting Diversity by DiversityPlus magazine this year. She was also named a 2019 Supplier Diversity Advocate of the Year from the Central Indiana Supply Chain Awards. In addition, the IAA’s Senior Director of Audit and Compliance and Procurement Maria Wiley was honored for her achievement in business and industry through the 2019 Center for Leadership Development Minority Achievers Awards.