Capgemini leads with diversity and belonging

When he first encountered Capgemini Canada, Satish Surendran was drawn to its commitment to investing in employees and its “Get the future you want” vision. He has seen this dedication play out over his 11 years with the company.

“Success starts with people. Everyone should feel valued and supported,” says Surendran, now chief operating officer. “For that, a commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical. It increases the feeling of acceptance and improves morale, retention and job satisfaction. I love going to work every day and to me, that sense of belonging is key.”

Fostering this feeling of inclusion starts from the employee candidate process through initiatives like targeted recruitment programs and partnerships with diverse talent pools, including newcomers and underrepresented groups. Capgemini’s diversity referral campaign doubles the bonus for employees who recommend a diverse candidate. The business and technology transformation company also has mandatory unconscious bias training for all interviewers.

Surendran is sponsoring the company’s pursuit of PAIR (Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations) bronze certification. This third-party certification program confirms corporate performance in Indigenous relations and demonstrates that a company is a good business partner and committed to prosperity in Indigenous communities.

“Diverse perspectives lead to better problem solving and innovation and help companies like ours stay competitive,” Surendran says. “Our customer base is global and spans multiple industries, so we need a diverse workforce to better understand different cultural backgrounds and market needs.”

It also helps attract top talent, he adds. “Job seekers, especially younger generations, are increasingly looking for organizations that demonstrate a better commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.”

Jaya Sravanam, recruiting leader, says she felt valued and respected from the moment she joined Capgemini. Early on, she had the opportunity to host the first Capgemini Explore event, aimed at fostering connection, learning and engagement across the company.

“This experience stood out because of the incredible support from our leadership, who inspired me to take charge, and the collective energy of working alongside so many talented teams,” Sravanam says. “It exemplified the culture of inclusivity and teamwork at Capgemini. I had the space to lead and grow, which reinforced for me that this is a workplace that nurtures potential and celebrates impact.”

Sravanam is a member of Women at Capgemini, an employee resource group dedicated to empowering and supporting women across the organization. She will be leading a Women in Tech event, which will showcase female leadership in technology through panel discussions and networking.

“My passion lies in building a culture where everyone has the chance to thrive and succeed,” Sravanam says. “At Capgemini, diversity and inclusion are woven into the fabric of our culture, not checked off a list. We’re creating a workplace where everyone has equal access to opportunities and feels empowered to contribute. It allows me to champion meaningful change and to be part of a culture where diversity is celebrated, fostering a more engaged and high-performing workforce.

“Employees feel valued for their unique contribution and ideas are freely shared. I truly believe this leads to stronger collaboration, better decision-making and an overall sense of belonging,” she says. “For Capgemini, it’s just not a policy, it’s a mindset that drives continuous learning, innovation and success.”

This article appeared in the magazine announcing this year's Canada’s Best Diversity Employers winners, published February 25, 2025 in The Globe and Mail. This article was prepared with the financial support of the employer, which reviewed but did not write its contents.