Diversity Advisory Councils at Microsoft

At Microsoft, we believe that our continued success depends on the diverse skills, experiences, and backgrounds that our employees bring to the company. To help foster diversity and inclusion, Microsoft has a rich community of affinity groups, called Diversity Advisory Councils (DAC). These councils provide career development, support, networking opportunities, mentoring, community participation, product input, and assistance in activities that promote cultural awareness. Their programs include speaker series, scholarship programs, community service, a Women's Conference, an African-American Conference, an Asian Pacific Islander Conference, a Hispanic Conference, and Heritage Month celebrations.

Individual DACs meet monthly to discuss diversity issues, share information and resources, determine needs for training and personal development for group members, and develop strategies that contribute to and complement the company's global diversity and inclusion efforts. Microsoft currently has more than 40 employee affinity groups.

Diversity Advisory Councils

Diversity Advisory Councils at Microsoft

Adoptive Parents at Microsoft

The Adoptive Parents at Microsoft DAC is a forum that extends to all members of the adoption triad: birth parents, adoptive parent, and adult adoptees. This group shares ideas and resources, and members provide support for one another. This DAC brings adoption-related resources to the members of the Microsoft community with activities such as a speaker series, special interest forums, and resource links. Adoptive Parents at Microsoft promotes and shares information with other DACs and across Microsoft about the benefits and effects of adoption in families today. This group was established as a formal DAC in 2006.

Africans at Microsoft

The Africans at Microsoft DAC is dedicated to supporting the African community at Microsoft by providing initiatives related to technology that advance African prospects, by promoting our cultural diversity, and by providing a medium to communicate within and outside Microsoft. The organization strives to uphold the Microsoft mission to empower and connect businesses and communities in the African community at large.

Arabs at Microsoft

The Arabs at Microsoft DAC enables the exchange of information related to Arab culture and heritage. The DAC enables Arabs at Microsoft to be a part of the larger local Arab community and helps employees of Arab origin to network across various groups within Microsoft. Special attention is paid to promoting the rich Arab culture and heritage within Microsoft and to discussing issues related to Arabic computing and software.

Attention Deficit Disorder at Microsoft

Attention Deficit Disorder at Microsoft (MS-ADD) is a support group for Microsoft employees who have ADD and for those who have friends or family with ADD. MS-ADD works through education, advocacy, and support to improve and enhance the lives of those affected by ADD.

Brazilians at Microsoft

Brazilians at Microsoft was created in 2001. Today it has 200 members, most of them in the United States. DAC Brazilians at Microsoft is supported by an elected board of directors and a sponsor. This DAC is engaged in several initiatives and activities, including hallmark cultural celebrations like Festa Junina, Churrasco musical events, and the establishment of a solid communication link between the Brazilian community in the United States and the leadership team of the Microsoft subsidiary in Brazil.

Chinese Employees in Microsoft Community

The Chinese Employees in Microsoft Community DAC, or CHIME (for Chinese Microsoft Employees), was established in 1992. It is now the largest ethnic diversity group at Microsoft, with more than 1,500 members across the company. Its members consist of employees of Chinese ethnic background (those from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other parts of the world) and any non-Chinese who are interested in Chinese culture and affairs. CHIME has its own bylaws and an elected board. CHIME strives to create a supportive and fun employee community, to support professional growth among its members, to support Microsoft diversity efforts by organizing annual events for employees, to encourage participation in local communities through social activities, to promote annual charity donations through the Microsoft Giving Campaign, and to support many business needs of Microsoft China by supplying resources for customer training, staffing, and VIP greetings.

DAC Bangladesh

DAC Bangladesh is the newest DAC group, formed in June 2007. The group's primary objectives are to promote awareness and understanding of Bangladesh culture, provide support and networking opportunities to interested employees, and engage in social and community activities. The group promotes the harmonious rich heritage of the art, music, festivals, and celebrations that have Bengali origins and Bangladeshi roots.

Dads at Microsoft

The Dads at Microsoft group is an employee-driven initiative whose purpose is to equip and empower Microsoft fathers to more effectively balance work with family life. This is accomplished through identifying appropriate resources—speakers, videos, books, and seminars—and providing opportunities for MSDADs members and their guests to engage with those resources.

ExYugoslavians at Microsoft

The ExYugoslavians at Microsoft DAC is dedicated to issues related to the countries that were once called Yugoslavia. Although wars and other events have split previous republics into independent countries, at Microsoft the DAC focuses on the things that bring people together. This group helps employees and their families bridge cultural barriers. The DAC also welcomes people who are interested in the cultural, historical, and political diversity of former Yugoslavian countries. Events include monthly lunches with ex-Yugoslavian meals prepared by the Microsoft chef and annual events that feature music and food from the old country.

Filipinos at Microsoft

The Filipinos at Microsoft mission is to share the Filipino culture, talents, and resources within Microsoft and with the world at large.

FlexImpact

FlexImpact is a DAC organized to help employees maximize their impact at Microsoft and realize their potential through flexible work practices. This group brings together employees involved in or seeking a flexible work arrangement, as well as those who support them. The group's goals include raising awareness of Microsoft flexwork policies and documenting best practices to help employees establish and maintain work arrangements that help them focus on business results.

Friends of Japanese at Microsoft

Established in March 2004, Friends of Japanese at Microsoft, or WA (after a Japanese word for peace/harmony/circle of friends), is open to all Microsoft employees. Most members are of Japanese origin or heritage or are interested in the Japanese culture from various countries and regions of the world. WA community provides support, resources, communication, mentoring, and networking opportunities to its members through various social activities related to the Japanese culture. The community is also committed to assisting Redmond and Japan in aligning well through collaborative initiatives, networking, and effective communication.

Hellenes at Microsoft

The Hellenes at Microsoft DAC is committed to providing support and resources to people of Greek origin and heritage and others who are interested in the Greek culture. One of its main goals is to assist in activities that promote cultural awareness among Microsoft employees and that promote Greek history and culture. The group has members in North America, Greece, and Europe.

Hispanics at Microsoft

Hispanics at Microsoft (HOLA) is a company-sponsored employee affinity group committed to promoting individual growth and professional opportunities for the Hispanic community at Microsoft. HOLA is actively involved in recruiting, outreach programs, and building alliances with community nonprofit organizations. This group's membership represents 18 Spanish-speaking countries that come together as a united group at Microsoft.

Hong Kong Employees at Microsoft

The Hong Kong Employees at Microsoft resource group was established in 2001. The group supports activities for Hong Kong employees at Microsoft and welcomes members interested in Hong Kong or currently working in Hong Kong. It promotes community networking through life and technical information exchanges.

Huddle (Deaf/Hard of Hearing)

The Huddle (Deaf and Hard of Hearing) group works to ensure that professional opportunities, corporate events, and corporate resources are accessible to individuals with hearing loss.

Indian Employees at Microsoft

The Indian Employees at Microsoft DAC is for employees from or interested in India. This group focuses on fostering activities through which members can share diverse cultural traditions and values.

Israelis at Microsoft

The DAC Israelis at Microsoft was established in 2004 by members of the Israeli community of greater Seattle. Its purpose is to bring the Israeli culture and sense of community to the more than 300 Israeli employees at Microsoft and others who may be interested. The DAC organizes activities for holidays, movies, shows, and other social gatherings. Members work with other organizations in the community, such as Chabad, the JCC, and the Israeli scouts (Tzofim).

Koreans at Microsoft

The Koreans at Microsoft DAC is dedicated to supporting the continued growth of Korean employees at Microsoft and providing support to the Korean community outside of Microsoft. The group is also committed to helping Microsoft grow as a culturally aware and socially responsible corporation.

Malaysians at Microsoft

The Malaysians at Microsoft DAC was created in 2001 and is committed to promoting the Malaysian culture within the company and to facilitating communication among Malaysians at Microsoft. This group organizes activities throughout the year for employees interested in the Malaysian culture. The Malaysian organization works closely with local nonprofit groups and internal employee resource groups to further reach out to the community and employees.

Microsoft Nepali

The Microsoft Nepali DAC was established for employees who are from or are interested in Nepal. This group serves as a platform for building a strong bond among members and welcoming new ones. This group encourages Nepali to engage in the software industry and join Microsoft. It also provides support to the Nepali community outside of Microsoft.

Military Reservists at Microsoft

The Military Reservists at Microsoft DAC is dedicated to bringing together Microsoft employees who are presently members of any of the United States military reserve components. The goal is to create a greater awareness throughout Microsoft about the great work that is done by wearing the uniform as citizen-soldiers. The value added to Microsoft comes not only from the civilian expertise of members, but also through their participation as reservists in the U.S. armed forces.

Native Americans at Microsoft

Members of Native Americans at Microsoft work to impact Native American communities outside Microsoft and to increase the number of Native Americans within the organization itself. In conjunction with Diversity and support from their VP sponsor, members coordinate an annual heritage festival that hosts about 400 people. Members also coordinate a yearly Native American Job Shadow day that reaches about 26 local Native American youth from the Puget Sound region. The group plans to hold biannual powwows in conjunction with other companies, such as Boeing and Dell.

New Zealanders and Australians in the U.S.

New Zealanders and Australians in U.S. provides a forum for sharing, learning, and communication on issues that are relevant to the South Pacific culture. The group also helps with immigration and relocation issues.

Pakistanis at Microsoft

Pakistanis at Microsoft is for employees from or interested in Pakistan. This group focuses reaching out to other Pakistani employees and works to encourage more Pakistanis to become involved in the software industry.

Persians at Microsoft

The Persians at Microsoft DAC is dedicated to supporting Iranian employees at Microsoft. It also provides a way for members to communicate with and benefit from the Iranian-American community outside of Microsoft. This group was created to support the Iranian community at Microsoft and to grow and attract Iranian talent to Microsoft. All employees interested in this commitment are encouraged to join.

Portuguese at Microsoft

The Portuguese at Microsoft DAC was created in October 2004 and with the goal of being a forum that provides support and meeting opportunities for people of Portuguese origin or heritage and those with an interest in Portuguese culture. Group activities include monthly lunches in one of the campus cafeterias. The DAC also serves as a link between the U.S. Portuguese-American community and Microsoft.

Romanians at Microsoft

Romanians at Microsoft was created to provide support and resources to people of Romanian origin, or people interested in the Romanian culture. This group focuses on supporting the continued growth of Romanian employees at Microsoft and promoting community networking through life and technical information exchange.

Russian-Speaking Community

DAC Rodina (Russian-Speaking Community) welcomes all Russian-speaking Microsoft employees. Its purpose is to help Russian-speaking new hires integrate successfully into the culture of Microsoft and the United States, to help Russian-speaking employees in their professional growth at Microsoft, to foster a Russian-speaking community at Microsoft, and to introduce all Microsoft employees to the Russian culture and language.

Singaporeans at Microsoft

Singaporeans at Microsoft is for employees who are interested in Singapore and want to share information about Singapore that is beneficial to Microsoft. This group also focuses on the cultural and racial diversity of Singapore to bring these values to Microsoft and expand on them.

Single Parents at Microsoft

The working Single Parents at Microsoft DAC helps bring members together for support, advice, and encouragement. Members seek to address workplace issues that impact parents and children. The DAC increases awareness of the difficulty single-parent families face and the value they impart.

Taiwanese Microsoft Employees

Taiwanese Microsoft Employees was established in 2000. The group supports Taiwanese employees at Microsoft and welcomes members interested in Taiwan. It promotes community networking through life and technical information exchange.

Thais at Microsoft

The Thais at Microsoft DAC is a close-knit forum dedicated to discussing topics pertinent to Thai employees, including challenges faced in working in the United States. The group also plans fun activities.

Turks at Microsoft

Turks at Microsoft is a forum for Turkish employees of Microsoft and all employees interested in things Turkish to come together. Members exchange ideas and share experiences, ask and answer questions, and share about relevant events in the area.

Ukrainians at Microsoft

Ukrainians at Microsoft has more than 70 members, most of them in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The group supports Ukrainian employees at Microsoft and welcomes members interested in learning more about the Ukraine. This DAC provides a forum for sharing, learning, and communicating about issues that are relevant to the Ukrainian culture and language. It promotes community networking by information exchange and provides peer help on immigration and relocation issues. This group also serves as an informational bridge with the Microsoft Ukraine subsidiary.

U.S. Military Veterans at Microsoft

U.S. Military Veterans at Microsoft is devoted to providing a forum in which military veterans can find news and information regarding the military veteran community and life at Microsoft. Activities include rallying support for volunteer programs and support programs for soldiers, sailors, marines, coastguardsmen, and airmen anywhere, anytime. It is also a channel for mutual support and networking. This group was established in 2001.

Vietnamese at Microsoft

The Vietnamese at Microsoft DAC was established to promote and foster the Vietnamese language, culture, and community within Microsoft. A distribution list serves as a networking and discussion forum for information about Vietnamese language, arts, entertainment, and culture. The group's activities range from promoting Vietnamese charitable organizations and cultural awareness to participation in local cultural celebrations such as the Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival. The group also regularly tries local Vietnamese restaurants near Microsoft campuses. In addition, the group has helped the Microsoft company and culture, welcoming Microsoft customers and partners from Vietnam who are visiting Seattle and helping other Microsoft employees with production localization verifications.

Visually Impaired Persons at Microsoft

Visually Impaired Persons at Microsoft (MSVIP) is designed to allow Microsoft employees who are blind or partially sighted to share information, resources, ideas, known problems, and workarounds for accessibility issues faced by visually impaired people at Microsoft. It is also a channel for mutual support and networking. The group was established in 2000.

Working Parents at Microsoft

Working Parents at Microsoft supports a growing constituency. This group seeks to increase awareness for the issues that affect working parents and to present workable solutions for Microsoft employees.