Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at WWF

Our differences make the difference. At WWF, we are working to create an organization as diverse as the world we protect, where the richness of all our unique views, experiences, and backgrounds combine to create the most sustainable and inclusive conservation outcomes possible, bringing the greatest benefit to the planet and every person who lives on it.

Our core commitment to DEI

Click on the cards to learn more about our core beliefs and values relating to DEI.

A group of WWF-US staff hold different kinds of plushies in front of their faces and stand in a field.

Diversity

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Diversity

Diversity is about drawing on strength in differences. Our workforce is made up of unique lives, and we are the strongest when we blend our varied experiences, backgrounds, histories, and modes of expression into our daily work and interactions.

Four WWF-US staff--a Black man, a Black woman, a man with dark hair and a short beard, and a woman with brown hair--surround a laptop in a conference room.

Equity

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Equity

Equity is about ensuring fairness. To create a fair, just, balanced and healthy workplace that benefits all, we must ensure that everyone has equal access to opportunities, resources, and support—so that all may thrive.

WWF-US staff gather around Pandy the mascot and pose for a photo at the winter staff party. The atmosphere is festive and warm.

Inclusion

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Inclusion

Inclusion is about creating a sense of belonging. We seek to create a workplace that depends on a mutual sense of ownership—where everyone's voice is heard, people share a sense of urgency about our work, and all are afforded respect and opportunity.

Who we are

WWF seeks to foster a culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion and allows our staff to bring their whole selves to work every day. Our work is rooted in our core values of courage, integrity, respect, and collaboration. As one of the world's leading conservation organizations, our employees work around the globe with colleagues, partners, governments, and communities from different cultures and countries that have been shaped by a vast breadth of values, beliefs, and experiences. It is crucial that our staff reflects the diversity of the people with whom we work, and that we value and embrace our differences.

We also know that many conservation challenges disproportionately affect communities of color, lower-income working families, Indigenous peoples, and other frontline communities, yet their voices are underrepresented in the broader environmental conversation and in many environmental organizations. We are working to change that.

Career Opportunities

Our strategic DEI objectives

Click on the cards to learn more about each strategic objective.

A group of people march in a rally and wear blue T-shirts that say "save our oceans". They also carry a "Save our oceans" banner.

Attract & retain diverse talent

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Attract & retain diverse talent

Increase representation of populations that have been historically marginalized and underrepresented in conservation.

Four WWF staff wear Panda Pride t-shirts and smile at the camera.

Cultivate an engaging culture

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Cultivate an engaging culture

Build a culture of inclusion that fosters a sense of belonging and enables staff to bring their authentic selves to work and to contribute to their full potential.

Four WWF staff smile and pose together at the Climate March.

Demonstrate inclusive leadership

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Demonstrate inclusive leadership

Demonstrate the inclusive leadership behaviors that ignite innovation, and inspire staff to form authentic connections and increase cultural agility.

A group of people wearing face masks representing different animals and holding a banner with a WWF logo.

Expand our reach

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Expand our reach

Earn the recognition as an employer of choice among diverse populations, and expand our member and supporter base to reflect the diverse communities we serve.

Some DEI initiatives in the spotlight

Paid internships

In 2021, WWF launched a new, fully funded summer internship program for students: Building Relationships, Inclusivity, Diversity, Growth, and Excellence (BRIDGE).

The BRIDGE program aims to build a more diverse pool of talented early-career professionals from among undergraduate and graduate students who bring fresh thinking and innovation to the environmental sector and are well positioned to develop into the next generation of environmental leaders. Offering paid internships, this program is a critical step toward reducing the barriers to attracting a diverse pool of internship candidates. WWF is also developing and strengthening relationships with academic institutions and minority-serving organizations that are aligned with our recruitment and programmatic goals.

© WWF-US/Athena Eftychiou
© WWF-US/Jessica Leung

Employee Resource Groups

WWF established an employee resource group (ERG) program to support employees, foster a sense of belonging, create safe spaces, and inspire authenticity.

The program currently includes ten ERGs, all of which are created and led by our employees, with executive sponsors engaged to coach, mentor, and collaborate with each ERG in developing and achieving their mission. All of this is supported by our Inclusion Council, an internal body that is co-chaired by our CEO and COO, which helps to facilitate collaboration and best practices among all ERG groups, as well as candid dialogues between ERGs and our executive leaders.

Click on the cards to learn more about each ERG.

Organic leaf pattern on green background

APEX

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APEX

Asian Pacific Employee Experience. Supports WWF’s Asian America and Pacific Islander employees.

Terracotta colored shapes on a light orange background

ECOLATINO

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ECOLATINO

Supports Hispanic and Latino/Latina employees

Organic wave pattern on a turquoise background

ECo Network

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ECo Network

Early Conservationist Network. Supports WWF’s employees in early stages of their careers or those pivoting into conservation.

Repeating pattern with a green motif of our planet and leaves.

Global Pandas

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Global Pandas

Global Pandas will foster a community of colleagues hired to work at WWF-US from abroad.

Tree canopy below creates the outline of the Star of David

Jewish Conservationist Club

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Jewish Conservationist Club

The Jewish Conservationist Club (JCC) will foster a community of WWF colleagues who identify/practice the Jewish faith and customs.

Colorful icons made into a background pattern

LORAX

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LORAX

Learned, Optimistic, Resilient, Ageless, and Experienced. Supports WWF’s most experienced employees.

People icons of all various shapes and configurations to represent diverse families.

Panda Parents

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Panda Parents

Supports WWF’s expecting, new, and working parents.

Repeating pattern of paws on a blue background

PAWS

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PAWS

Professional and Administrative WWF Support

Mud cloth inspired pattern on a black background

SABLE

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SABLE

Sustaining Active Black Leadership and Empowerment. Supports WWF’s Black employees.

Progressive Pride flag compromised of various species and landscapes

We're Here: LGBTQ+ at WWF

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We're Here: LGBTQ+ at WWF

Supports LGBTQ+ employees.

Icons related to health make a repeated pattern on a blue background

Whole Beings

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Whole Beings

Supports employees living with or caring for others with mental or physical illness and disability.

Line illustrations of various side profiles of women on an orange background

Women Rise!

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Women Rise!

Supports WWF’s employees who identify as women.

Inclusive Leadership Training

In partnership with the NeuroLeadership Institute, WWF deployed a four-part inclusive leadership learning series aimed at building practical, habit-forming skills to ultimately:

  1. build intentionally inclusive practices into everyday interactions with colleagues, direct reports and manager
  2. equip staff with the tools to speak up to effectively share ideas, question decisions, and challenge behaviors
  3. identify and mitigate unconscious drivers that can heavily influence every decision or judgment we make
  4. proactively reduce the impact of biases that often occur during the hiring process
© WWF-US / Erin McGeoy
© WWF-US/Keith Arnold

Civic Engagement Leave

As a way of supporting the local communities where WWF employees live and work, WWF implemented a new Civic Engagement Leave policy authorizing eligible staff to take a day of paid leave per year to participate in service-oriented activities that strengthen our communities.

Our overall representation

WW-US Gender

WW-US Ethnicity

WWF-US People of Color Breakdown

Data as of July 1. Data updated annually.

Our DEI journey

Woman stands in front of a leafy green backdrop smiling at the camera and holding a badge that's around her neck

How my Filipino family’s traditions embrace eco-friendly living

Francesca Edralin works on the Private Sector Engagement Team and supports cause marketing campaigns that engage the public on environmental conservation and sustainable living. She is proud to be a first-generation Filipino American, as her roots have inspired her love for nature and passion for climate justice.

Photo Credits
Strategic Objectives section: WWF-US/Keith Arnold