Application Software Technology Joins Nearly 2,000 CEOs in Unprecedented Commitment to Advance Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

Application Software Technology (AST) is proud to announce that we have joined the growing alliance to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Justin Winter, CEO at AST, has taken the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ and pledged to commit himself and AST to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

By signing on to this commitment, AST is pledging to take action to cultivate a workplace where diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected, and where employees feel encouraged to discuss diversity and inclusion. The collective of nearly 2,000 CEOs has already shared more than 1,400+ best-known actions, exchanging tangible learning opportunities and creating collaborative conversations via the initiative’s unified hub, CEOAction.com.

“At AST, we believe we are better together. Diversity and inclusion are complex issues to navigate, but if we avoid constructive conversation about our differences, communication deteriorates and productivity suffers,” stated Justin Winter, CEO of AST. “I am proud AST has taken the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion pledge. Exceptional innovation begins when ideas come from all walks of life, facing challenges in creative ways others might not see. When we open ourselves to diverse perspectives, we can face challenges head-on and solve the most complex issues in business and society.”

By joining the CEO Action Pledge, AST is taking a step toward creating positive change for a better future. A diverse and inclusive workforce facilitates community, but also drives innovation and creativity. A study found that 85 percent of those surveyed reported that diversity is a crucial component to fostering innovation.

 CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ is cultivating a new type of ecosystem centered around collaboration and sharing. The actions taken by AST, available via CEOAction.com, showcase real-life examples of cultivating a more diverse and inclusive workplace.

AST represents one of many companies in the Information Technology & Services industry. By joining together to tackle this critical societal issue, we hope to cultivate more diverse and inclusive workplaces in our industry. The addition of new signatories expands the impact of this work beyond the office to communities and industries.

The CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ is led by a steering committee of CEOs and leaders from Accenture, BCG, Deloitte US, The Executive Leadership Council, EY, General Atlantic, KPMG, New York Life, Procter & Gamble, and PwC. The coalition represents 85 industries, all 50 US States, and millions of employees globally.

To learn more about the pledge, visit CEOAction.com. The website serves as a hub for information sharing, idea generation, and program development. With more than 1,400+ best-known actions shared, companies that are not currently implementing the pledge elements can use it as an opportunity to learn from others that are already doing so. Learning from and sharing actions help companies drive greater engagement within their programs, as well as mentor others on their journey.

About CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™

CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ is the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion within the workplace. Bringing together nearly 2,000 CEOs of America’s leading organizations, the commitment outlines actions that participating companies pledge to take to cultivate a workplace where diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected, employees feel comfortable and encouraged to discuss diversity and inclusion, and where best known—and unsuccessful—actions can be shared across organizations. Learn more at  CEOAction.com and connect on Twitter: @CEOAction.