Barilla: An Italian family-owned company’s journey to global inclusion

Barilla’s media and consumer storm of 2013 was a catalyst for culture change that ultimately engaged employees throughout the organization in all parts of the world. Chairman Guido Barilla had commented on a local radio show that same-sex couples would not be featured in the company’s advertising. From what could have been managed just as a PR issue, Barilla took responsibility and immediate action in order to start on a focused path of increased diversity and inclusion. Along the way, the company learned from mistakes and sought the expertise of others with the goal of becoming a role model for inclusion, not only for LGBTQ+ employees but for all underrepresented groups.

Leadership of the initiative starts at the top, driven throughout the organization by Chairman Guido Barilla and CEO Claudio Colzani. Increasing inclusion in Barilla is everyone’s responsibility, which is communicated across offices, plants, and sales forces around the world. The company’s public and unwavering commitment has inspired employees and made it clear that inclusion is a business imperative.

Barilla is a private and family-owned company, yet having no obligation to shareholders has not hindered their diversity and inclusion (D&I) efforts at all. Barilla’s inclusion work is truly motivated by passion and employee engagement, particularly through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), whose leaders regularly connect with senior leadership and lead critical initiatives which drive increased inclusion. Barilla’s global work is customized to the needs of each region but maintains the common message that exclusion will not be tolerated, regardless of the local culture.