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.
Article
BDO USA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Transparency Report
April 14, 2022The release of BDO’s first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Transparency Report is a critical step in our ongoing journey of fulfilling our core purpose of helping people thrive every day – a journey we take for our professionals, for our clients and for the communities where we live and work.
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.
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
Article
AAPI Heritage Month Series: BDO Professionals Pen Letters of Thanks
May 18, 2023Article
AAPI Heritage Month Series: BDO Professionals Pen Letters of Thanks
May 18, 2023BDO’s Multicultural Alliance continues its mission to support racial and ethnic diversity in the workplace. We’ll hear from some of our AAPI professionals who have written letters of gratitude to influential people in their lives.
Article
Women’s History Month Series: BDO Professionals Write Letters of Reflection
March 30, 2023Article
Women’s History Month Series: BDO Professionals Write Letters of Reflection
March 30, 2023BDO remains committed to fueling the advancement of women professionals. Each March, we honor the contributions of women and spotlight the inner strength and myriad pathways it took for each to become successful.
Article
Black History Month Series: Assurance Partner Offers Encouragement to Younger Self
February 23, 2023Article
Black History Month Series: Assurance Partner Offers Encouragement to Younger Self
February 23, 2023Black History Month commemorates the historical achievements of Black individuals while bringing to light the continued challenges faced by communities of color.
Article
Black History Month Series: BDO Alliance USA Firm Leader Writes Letter to Younger Self
February 23, 2023Article
Black History Month Series: BDO Alliance USA Firm Leader Writes Letter to Younger Self
February 23, 2023Black History Month commemorates the historical achievements of Black individuals while bringing to light the continued challenges faced by communities of color.
Article
Black History Month Series: 17 Again - Assurance Senior Associate Advises Younger Self
February 23, 2023Article
Black History Month Series: 17 Again - Assurance Senior Associate Advises Younger Self
February 23, 2023Black History Month commemorates the historical achievements of Black individuals while bringing to light the continued challenges faced by communities of color.
Article
Black History Month Series: Professional Practice Partner Pens Letter to Parents
February 23, 2023Article
Black History Month Series: Professional Practice Partner Pens Letter to Parents
February 23, 2023This month, BDO’s Multicultural Alliance is hosting local and national events centered around dialogue, education, and exploration into the cultures and influential roles of Black Americans. We invited professionals to share their perspectives through first-person letters.
Article
Honoring Our Veterans
November 11, 2022Article
Honoring Our Veterans
November 11, 2022Veterans Day is a time to honor all who courageously sacrificed for our country through service in the armed forces. Today, we recognize and celebrate the veterans among us, as well the families of service members working in the professional services industry. We recently spoke with two of our professionals and members of BDO’s Military and Veterans inclusion group who reflected on Veterans Day and what it means to them. Read on for their stories below.
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The future is a blank canvas, ours to create
November 2, 2022Article
The future is a blank canvas, ours to create
November 2, 2022A BDO video series about diversity, equity and inclusion
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BDO Professionals Share Personal Stories in Honor of National Coming Out Day
October 11, 2022Article
BDO Professionals Share Personal Stories in Honor of National Coming Out Day
October 11, 2022At BDO, we encourage all our people to bring their authentic selves to work. It is our responsibility, together, to foster an environment where everyone feels welcome.
Article
Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation – And Firm
September 22, 2022Article
Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation – And Firm
September 22, 2022Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to reflect on the many cultural contributions, traditions and backgrounds of Hispanic and Latinx communities in America.
Press Release
BDO USA Named to Seramount’s 100 Best Companies and Best Companies for Dads Lists
September 20, 2022Press Release
BDO USA Named to Seramount’s 100 Best Companies and Best Companies for Dads Lists
September 20, 2022Seramount, part of EAB, today named BDO USA, LLP as one of the 2022 100 Best Companies for the 12th consecutive year, in addition to including the firm on its list of 2022 Best Companies for Dads.
Press Release
Meet BDO’s 2022 Working Parents of the Year
September 20, 2022Press Release
Meet BDO’s 2022 Working Parents of the Year
September 20, 2022BDO is incredibly honored to be included in Seramount’s 100 Best Companies list for the 12th consecutive year, as well as the Best Companies for Dads list.
Article
BDO Demonstrates Pride By Driving Dialogue, Supporting Equality Act
June 16, 2022Article
BDO Demonstrates Pride By Driving Dialogue, Supporting Equality Act
June 16, 2022Pride Month – a celebration of LGBTQ+ visibility, equality and dignity – is inherently rooted in demonstrations to counter discrimination and exclusion.
Article
Encouragement, Lessons and Common Ground Found in Celebration of AAPI Heritage Month
May 18, 2022Article
Encouragement, Lessons and Common Ground Found in Celebration of AAPI Heritage Month
May 18, 2022Throughout the month of May, BDO’s Multicultural Alliance is leading a firmwide celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, encouraging everyone to learn more about accomplishments, traditions, cuisines and perspectives of AAPI communities.
Press Release
BDO USA Announces Firm's First Chief DEI Officer, Releases DEI Transparency Report
April 14, 2022Press Release
BDO USA Announces Firm's First Chief DEI Officer, Releases DEI Transparency Report
April 14, 2022Pieters will oversee and help drive forward the firm’s DEI strategy, spearheading key programs to create impact, foster change and continue to build a sustainably inclusive and equitable culture.
Article
BDO USA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Transparency Report
April 14, 2022Article
BDO USA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Transparency Report
April 14, 2022The release of BDO’s first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Transparency Report is a critical step in our ongoing journey of fulfilling our core purpose of helping people thrive every day – a journey we take for our professionals, for our clients and for the communities where we live and work.
A Place for All To Thrive
Our office is filled with a diverse range of people with all sorts of backgrounds, perspectives and thoughts, and a lot of times we have passionate discussions where people don’t agree on a topic. It’s been incredible to see these individuals come together on our Bay Area Multicultural Alliance calls and still have respectful conversation, hear each other out and open their minds to different perspectives.
Saloni Kamdar
Assurance Manager
I helped develop the BDO Global Portal, and I get to travel the world helping people implement software. I might be legally blind, but I’m thriving because BDO gives me everything I need and more.
George Marriott
Audit Data Analytics & Emerging Methods Manager
One of the reasons I chose BDO as a new career path on my journey in life was the inclusion the firm offers its employees. As I was interviewing, Pride Month was in full swing and BDO had the Pride logo on the website. That let me know this was a place that I could feel included, free to be myself and safe amongst my peers.
Kevin Cohenour
Administrative Associate
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BDO USA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Transparency Report
BDO’s first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Transparency Report provides transparency into our DEI strategies, workforce demographics, recruiting and retention efforts, and areas of external engagement. We are holding ourselves accountable to taking the steps we know are essential to continue to strengthen our culture, empower our people and drive positive change.
Inclusion Groups Impact
In FY22, BDO offered 200+ inclusion office activities and communication touchpoints with over 10,500 participants.
This is what our professionals had to say about our inclusion activities:
96%
said that inclusion activities helped them focus on thriving at work
90%
understand how they can contribute to a culture of inclusion
88%
believe inclusion events help strengthen relationships with their colleagues
"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
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.
Article
Do we truly understand the importance of inclusion? An article from CEO Wayne Berson
November 4, 2022Like other South Africans, I chose to immigrate to the United States, where I believed people from any background could have an opportunity to succeed.
Article
The Need For Universal Flexibility. A podcast featuring Chief People Officer Cathy Moy
April 24, 2022What will the future of work look like? Cathy Moy shared her thoughts on the Talent Economy Podcast, highlighting the importance of resilience, flexibility and empathy in today’s business landscape.
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Caring: The Foundation of a Sustainably Inclusive Culture
April 14, 2022My appointment as the firm’s first CDEIO comes at a time when true expressions of care—ones that are expressed openly and genuinely—are more essential than ever.