Duke Recognizes South Florida Office for Diversity Initiatives

WESTON, FL—Duke Realty Corp. has bestowed its South Florida office here with its “CEO Award for Diversity,” which is presented to the business unit in the company that exemplifies a significant commitment to diversity and inclusion through its programs and activities and achieves notable results due to its efforts.

The CEO Award for Diversity, which was first instituted by Duke Realty in 2008, is part of the company's overall goal of sustaining a culture of diversity and inclusion throughout the organization and is given out each year to one of the Indianapolis-based firm's 10 business units.

The selection of the South Florida office was based on its leadership and success in four areas during 2013: supplier diversity, business development, associate recruitment and retention, and community outreach, company officials say. A notable accomplishment by the South Florida team in 2013 was a significant increase in diverse spending, raising expenditures with disadvantaged business enterprises by 84% and minority businesses by 20%.

“The South Florida team embraces the spirit of diversity and inclusion as a business imperative, as evidenced by the local diversity action plan we developed and implemented,” says Ed Mitchell, senior vice president of Duke Realty's Florida operations. “We are proud to receive this award and are committed to pursuing ongoing diversity initiatives and engaging diverse groups in our business.”

“Diversity is an ongoing and important initiative at our company,” says Denny Oklak, chairman and CEO of Duke Realty. “Our employees, tenants, customers, suppliers and potential candidates for hire are increasingly diverse, validating the importance of enhancing our ability to value all people, no matter their position, education, background or beliefs.”