Press Release: NOD Welcomes Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Executives from The Hershey Company and T-Mobile to Esteemed Board of Directors
NEW YORK (May 15, 2023) The National Organization on Disability (NOD) today announced two new members to its Board of Directors. Alicia Petross, Chief Diversity Officer, The Hershey Company and Holli Martinez, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, T-Mobile were recently elected to the NOD Board, joining 15 other civic and corporate leaders from across the country working to advance disability inclusion in the workforce.
“Ms. Petross and Ms. Martinez are senior executives at two of our nation’s most successful companies,” said NOD Chairman, Luke Visconti. “In addition to their extensive business acumen, they bring Hershey and T-Mobile’s pace and professionalism. They are welcome teammates on our board of similarly accomplished professionals. I’m confident that their leadership will help NOD make the workplace fairer and enable millions of people with disabilities to gain the basic human dignity of being well employed.”
As Chief Diversity Officer at The Hershey Company, Alicia Petross leads the development and execution of Hershey’s Pathways Framework delivering diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies to the organization. She partners with key internal and external leaders to develop more innovation in Hershey’s global climate and inclusion programming. Externally, Alicia represents the company in key industry commitments, including Paradigm for Parity, CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion, the National Organization on Disability Look Closer Campaign, and Financial Literacy for All. In 2023, The Hershey Company was ranked #3 on DiversityInc.’s Most Diverse Companies list. In 2022, The Hershey Company was named #6 on Diversity Inc.’s Top 50 Companies for Diversity list and earned the #1 ranking on Forbes World’s Most Female Friendly Companies. Alicia was also named on Diversity Woman Media’s inaugural Elite100 Black Women leaders list in 2021.
“It is an honor to join the National Organization on Disability Board of Directors and bring awareness to the advantages of hiring people with disabilities and increasing employment,” said Alicia Petross, Chief Diversity Officer, The Hershey Company. “As leaders, we must continue to look for ways to recruit people of all backgrounds and abilities and ensure everyone has a place in Corporate America. Being part of the NOD Board and working closely with the team and member organizations only fuels my passion to drive employment opportunities for all, at Hershey and throughout the country.”
Holli Martinez is a passionate lifetime advocate for diversity, inclusion, and equality. She joined T-Mobile in February 2013 as the company’s first Director of Diversity and Inclusion and is fervently committed to sustaining an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive. Under her leadership, T-Mobile has embraced DE&I initiatives across the company that includes launching the Equity in Action Plan, T-Mobiles’ DE&I strategy. Nearly 40% of T-Mobile employees are members of one or more of its six Employee Resource Groups and 40+ D&I chapters across the county. In 2022, T-Mobile received the distinction of the Best Place to Work for LGBTQ employees from the Human Rights Campaign, Forbes Best Employers for Diversity and Fortune Best Place to Work for Diversity, among others.
“I am honored to be appointed to the Board of Directors for the National Organization on Disability,” said Holli Martinez, vice president of diversity, equity & inclusions for T-Mobile. “I am excited to serve alongside fellow board members, contributing my skills, experience, and passion for disability inclusion to make a meaningful impact together.”
About NOD
The National Organization on Disability (NOD) is a private, non-profit organization that seeks to increase employment opportunities for the 80 percent of working age Americans with disabilities who are not employed. To achieve this goal, NOD offers a suite of employment solutions, tailored to meet leading companies’ workforce needs. NOD has helped some of the world’s most recognized brands be more competitive in today’s global economy by building or enriching their disability inclusion programs. For more information about NOD and how its professional services, Corporate Leadership Council and Disability Employment Tracker™ can help your business, visitwww.NOD.org.