2024 Adele Hars Award for DEI Finalists

The Adele Hars Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion recognizes a company in the semiconductor and microelectronics industries demonstrating best practices to provide a workplace where diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are paramount. Formerly known as the SemiSister Award for DEI, the award was re-christened for 2024 in loving memory of our SemiSister, Adele Hars, a well-known semiconductor industry journalist who lost her 20-year battle with breast cancer on July 23, 2023.

Adele was kind, thoughtful, and inciteful. She didn’t hesitate to share her ideas on the topic of DEI. She also kept us all in check when we got too righteous about our cause. “This is an industry issue about which Adele felt very strongly, and in her subtle way she always labored to promote DEI in the community she covered,” said her husband, Emery Davis.

This year’s selection committee, Margaret Kindling, SEMI Foundation; Veronique Pequignat, Invest in Grenoble Alpes; and Joanne Itow, SEMICO Research, reviewed applications that answered questions about building an inclusive workplace culture and environment, diversity solutions in hiring, practices concerning social justice and systemic racism, fair access to career advancement, involvement of the executive leadership, and the overall company mindset.

This year’s Adele Hars Award for DEI finalists are Cadence and ERS Electronic GmbH. Each company will respond to a tiebreaker question: How does your executive leadership, especially your CEO, promote DEIB to peers to affect positive industry change?

Cadence

Cadence prioritizes a culture of trust and collaboration, emphasizing inclusivity to address gender and racial disparities in the tech industry. Its DEI journey began over nine years ago, focusing on women in technology initially and expanded to include various underrepresented groups in 2020. Regular events featuring thought leaders promote awareness of crucial DEI topics. Cadence measures global employee engagement through surveys, using feedback to ensure an inclusive workplace. The company participates in the Great Transformation initiative to further progress in gender equity, experimenting with new initiatives and collaborative efforts to positively impact the experience of women at Cadence.

Cadence has implemented a comprehensive DEI approach across its organization. The company prioritizes creating a sense of belonging for its employees, emphasizing a people-first culture that values individual strengths and talents. They actively monitor workforce diversity and collaborate with national engineering organizations and colleges to engage with diverse communities. The company supports a returnship program to bring talented employees back into the workforce, especially women and caregivers who left to support their families. It also offers referral bonuses for underrepresented candidates and invests in scholarships for underrepresented students in technology.

In addressing equity, Cadence provides unconscious bias training, regularly reviews compensation practices, and has achieved global salary pay parity. The company’s “Words Matter Initiative” focuses on respectful language, and it contributes to various organizations promoting STEM diversity. Additionally, Cadence launched a $50 million Racial Equity Fund to address racial wealth inequities, investing in projects that support underserved communities. The company is committed to promoting social justice and fostering diversity throughout its value chain, including supplier programs.

Cadence promotes fair access to talent development and career growth through initiatives like the Advanced Leadership Program for top women, Black, and Latinx talent. The IMPACT mentorship program allows employees to choose mentors aligned with their career goals. CEO Anirudh Devgan signed the Global Semiconductor Alliance’s Women’s Leadership CEO Pledge, showcasing a commitment to gender diversity. Cadence fosters a learning culture, with employees completing 25 hours of training annually, utilizing resources like Harvard University’s ManageMentor and LinkedIn Learning. The company also offers up to $5,000 in annual tuition reimbursement for relevant fields.

Cadence prioritizes a high-performing, inclusive culture integral to the CEO’s success pillars. Leadership’s role is emphasized through a unique compensation incentive, tying 20% of senior leaders’ bonuses to DEI and inclusion goals. Each of the eight inclusion groups has an Executive Sponsor for representation and support among executive peers.

Cadence fosters a purpose-driven mindset, emphasizing its employees’ impact on technology, communities, and the environment. The company aligns its ESG efforts with community, environment, technology, and workforce, reflecting a commitment to innovation and inclusivity. The company participates in the Pledge 1% alliance and encourages employee involvement in charitable activities. Employees are granted 40 hours of paid volunteer time annually, contributing to a Season of Giving campaign and collaborations with organizations supporting diverse communities. Cadence’s Inclusion Groups nominate organizations for donations, furthering its commitment to social impact and diversity.

ERS electronic GmbH

ERS prioritizes building an inclusive workplace culture centered on values like fairness, respect, appreciation, and belonging. The company fosters an open and safe environment, encouraging growth and empowerment. With a diverse team from 20 countries, ERS emphasizes the strength of diversity. Open discussions, valuing diverse perspectives, and ensuring every voice is heard contribute to a culture that acknowledges imperfections, values inclusivity, and is committed to continuous growth.

The company prioritizes transparency and values alignment in its hiring process. Celebrating cultural festivities and bilingual communication fosters team uniqueness. Remote work during holiday visits accommodates diverse needs. Equal opportunities in career planning, emphasizing individual strengths, contribute to building a diverse, inclusive, and empowering workplace.

ERS appointed an Equal Opportunities Officer in 2020 to ensure equal career opportunities and salaries, conducting regular assessments of gender and managerial quotas. A reporting mechanism for misconduct is in place, aligned with the EU Whistleblowing Directive. Signing the Diversity Charter reflects a commitment to recognizing and addressing diversity positively.

ERS has open communication, tailored talent development, and a dynamic personnel development concept to guide fair access.

Aligned with ISO9001, structured skill development is facilitated by a qualification matrix. The HR department, engaging closely with teams and individuals, supports career advancement. Top management ensures DEI integration by maintaining a diverse Senior Management Team, reflecting a commitment to principles in decision-making. This effort permeates the entire organization, fostering an inclusive environment for diverse perspectives and employee thriving.

ERS has a robust purpose-driven mindset that is actively cultivated among employees, instilling a strong commitment to community support. The organization prioritizes local suppliers for manufacturing, contributing to the growth of the local economy. Sustainability is integral to corporate culture, with employees actively involved in reducing the environmental footprint. ERS extends its impact by sponsoring sports communities and supporting local organizations, demonstrating a collaborative approach with the city council to contribute to community growth through local recruitment.

The 2024 Adele Hars Award for DEI will be presented in a ceremony during the IMAPS Device Packaging Conference on March 19, 2024, at 9:55 am after the Keynote Sessions.