Bernie Pieters
Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Diverse perspectives. Deeper insights.
Listen. Learn. Act. Thrive.
Diversity, equity and inclusion at BDO starts the way everything at BDO starts — with relationships. As we continuously work to fulfill our core purpose of Helping People Thrive Every Day, we are focused on understanding the experiences of our professionals, listening to their challenges and ideas, and putting thought into action; not only to better support our people, but to better meet the needs of our clients and our communities.
Our Inclusion Groups
Our inclusion groups are a critical part of our DEI efforts. Each group began with its own grassroots movement and is championed by BDO leaders who are passionate about DEI and dedicated to advocating for their peers. While the groups serve as a safe space for our people to connect, they are also a catalyst for change. Our inclusion leaders are encouraged to connect directly with firm leadership, ensuring that the ideas and feedback shared in these forums are heard and addressed.
The multicultural alliance is designed to further BDO’s efforts in promoting an environment that is racially and ethnically inclusive. The group raises awareness throughout the firm and helps our racially and ethnically diverse professionals, and their allies, support and celebrate one another while discussing ways to engage their BDO colleagues on topics critical to the advancement of professionals of color.
In recognition that women in corporate America continue to face subtle, yet at times powerful, challenges to achieving the highest levels of success, this inclusion group is designed to fuel the advancement of BDO’s women professionals.
This community serves as a valuable resource for our LGBTQ+ professionals, as well as their allies. Their mission is to provide a forum for people to connect with and support one another and to provide networking and community outreach opportunities nationwide.
BDO values the knowledge and experience of our former military personnel and the insight they bring to their work at BDO. The group includes military members and veterans, as well as our professionals who have family members currently serving.
BDO is committed to making work+life fit more manageable for our working parents, especially as the lines between personal and professional have become even more blurred in recent years. This inclusion group focuses on providing resources and connections that help BDO parents navigate their unique situations so they — and their families — thrive.
A Place for All to Thrive
We gauge our DEI progress in forward steps taken with intention and the impact on our people and organization.
Hear from BDO professionals on how our programs have impacted them personally, and learn more about our recent milestones and efforts in our 2023 Sustainability Report.
Inclusion Groups Impact
In FY23, BDO offered 250 inclusion office activities and communication touchpoints with over 9,000 participants.
This is what our professionals had to say about our inclusion activities:
93%
believe that inclusion events help strengthen relationships with their colleagues
92%
understand how they can contribute to a culture of inclusion
88%
said that inclusion activities help them focus on thriving at work and home
"It won’t be easy to foster the kind of inclusion we’re aiming for. That’s because there are no shortcuts along the way. Inclusion is a process of listening and learning that starts with personal connection."
– Wayne Berson, Chief Executive Officer
Meet our Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
To help foster connection and change at BDO, our leadership team appointed Bernadette (Bernie) Pieters as our first Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer. In this role, Bernie, a leader in the firm since 1999, oversees and drives forward the firm’s DEI strategy, spearheading key programs that create impact and help build a sustainably inclusive culture for our people.
“The road to true inclusion starts by strengthening the trust we place in one another through challenging conversations and hard work. When we come together to foster understanding and empathy, there are no limits to what we can achieve.”
– Bernie Pieters
The Future Is a Blank Canvas, Ours To Create
When we envision the future we want for our firm, one thing is clear. It is a future we must design together, through intentional connection, mutual respect and true understanding. Our Blank Canvas videos feature Chief DEI Officer Bernie Pieters in a series of discussions about celebrating differences, overcoming challenges and how we can move the needle one conversation at a time.
Introduction
When do we start to see difference? Bernie speaks to children to explore when and how they see difference, when and why they don’t, and what we can accomplish when we work together.
Unspoken Conversations
How can conversation lead to progress? Bernie speaks with six BDO professionals about their challenges, the importance of getting comfortable with being uncomfortable and how intentional engagement can help drive change.
Read our latest DEI news and stories
Messages From BDO Leadership
Hear directly from BDO leaders on why diversity, equity and inclusion matters at BDO, in our industry and more broadly as a society.