Healthcare workforce enablement company recognized for leading diversity efforts at 2023 NC Tech Awards
Relias, the trusted education and workforce enablement partner to more than 11,000 healthcare and human service organizations and 4.5 million caregivers, announced today that it has been selected as winner of the Diversity and Inclusion in Tech Award at this year’s NC TECH Awards.
The NC TECH Awards is North Carolina’s only statewide technology awards program that recognizes companies and individuals who have demonstrated growth, innovation and leadership.
“Since 1995, the NC Tech Awards has honored excellence and innovation throughout North Carolina, representing the best and brightest,” said Brooks Raiford, President and CEO of NC TECH. “As a winner, Relias has distinguished itself as a peer-leader, and we’re proud to recognize them as a 2023 NC Tech Awards winner.”
The essential tenets of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) are foundational at Relias, and the company dedicates itself to fostering an environment where all employees feel free to express themselves authentically and be who they truly are. Everyone at Relias is encouraged to carry these values over into their work and daily lives.
In September 2022, Relias conducted an annual employee engagement survey that included an assessment of how employees feel about the actions Relias has taken to promote DEIB. The survey indicated a 7% increase in senior level management’s prioritization of DEIB demonstrating momentum in equity and fairness throughout the company.
“Being recognized by organizations like NC Tech lets us know we’re on the right track,” said Kelli Slade, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Relias. “We’re honored to be acknowledged and proud of the progress we’ve made, but we’ll never be done with this work — we’ll always be committed to finding deficits and making them right. The thing is, differences really do make everyone stronger. Varied perspectives always improve the work we do, and that’s certainly true here at Relias.”
One of Relias’ most integral goals as a healthcare and human services enablement provider is its commitment to supporting and improving the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Efforts to contribute to the IDD community date back to one of Relias’ original founding companies. The latest manifestation of this commitment is the forthcoming 321 Coffee Café at Relias headquarters in 2024.
The Café will be staffed by 321 Coffee employees in the IDD community, helping 321 to create new employment opportunities for some of the 200+ individuals on the waiting list to work in its cafes.
In 2022, Relias added three new employee resource groups (ERGs) to support employees across the business. In total, Relias’ eight ERGs include Accessibility, BeYou (LGBTQ+), Black Relians United (BRU), Parents and Caregivers, Relias Together, Relias Women’s Leadership Initiative (RWLI), Active Duty, Veterans, and First Responders (ARVFFF), and Women in Tech (WIT).
In early 2023, Relias added executive sponsors to these ERGs to help support group leaders and continue to move the needle in the DEIB space.
Winners of the NC Tech Awards were recognized at a special gala on Wednesday, November 1, and were presented in conjunction with sponsor, Cherry Bekaert. For more information on the selection process, categories, finalists, winners, and the awards gala, visit www.nctech.org/awards.
About NC TECH
NC TECH is a not-for-profit, membership-driven trade association and the primary voice of the technology industry in North Carolina. NC TECH’s mission is to foster growth and champion innovation in North Carolina’s tech sector, while providing a voice for the tech community. NC TECH’s membership includes over 600 member companies, organizations and institutions employing more than 200,000 workers in North Carolina. For more information, visit nctech.org.
About Relias
Relias provides lifelong workforce enablement solutions for 12,000 healthcare and human services organizations and 4.5 million caregivers to drive measurable outcomes. Customers use Relias solutions to attract and retain talent, elevate care quality and reduce risk with our technology, services, community, and expertise. The Relias family of brands — Nurse.com, Wound Care Education Institute, Relias Academy, FreeCME, and Relias Media — serves the entire healthcare community and shares a common goal of improving the lives of the most vulnerable members of society and those who care for them.
