National CRE News In Your Inbox.
Sign up for Connect emails to stay informed with CRE stories that are 150 words or less.
Four Healthcare REITs Included in 2020 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index
Bloomberg has released its 2020 Gender-Equality Index, and four healthcare REITs were included: HealthPeak Properties Inc., Omega Healthcare Investors, Ventas Inc., and Welltower Inc.
Comprised of 325 public companies headquartered around the globe, the GEI tracks the financial performance of public companies committed to supporting gender equality through policy development, representation, and transparency. Firms included in the index have a combined market capitalization of $12 trillion.
The GEI measures gender equality across five pillars: female leadership and talent pipeline, equal pay and gender pay parity, inclusive culture, sexual harassment policies, and pro-women brand. The firms included in this year’s index scored at or above a global threshold established by Bloomberg to reflect a high level of disclosure and overall performance across the framework’s five pillars.
“The 325 companies included in the 2020 GEI have shown their commitment to transparency and demonstrated leadership in gender-related data reporting,” said Bloomberg Chairman Peter T. Grauer. “Disclosure of company statistics and practices is an important first step in supporting gender equality globally.”
For Welltower, this year marks the second time the REIT has been included in the GEI. In the last year, the company has taken the following actions towards gender equality:
expanded focus on diversity and inclusion through the creation, design, and successful launch of a Welltower Diversity Council; maintained 1:1 gender parity across the organization; and achieved 75% female and minority Independent director leadership on the Board of Directors.
“The mandate for gender-equality and diversity is part of our ethos as a company,” said Pam Byrne, vice president of human capital at Welltower.
For Ventas, this year is the first time to be included in the index. The Chicago-based REIT earned its strongest scores for overall disclosures (100%), and for data excellence around equal pay and gender pay parity and sexual harassment policies. The company is led by a woman CEO, Debra A. Cafaro, its board of directors is 30% female, and its employee population is gender balanced.
“Ventas is proud to be recognized as a gender equality leader by the Bloomberg GEI,” Cafaro said. “We are a stronger and more effective organization for all stakeholders when we intentionally develop and recruit a diverse workforce and invest in an inclusive workplace where gender equality is championed.”
For questions, comments or concerns, please contact Jennifer Duell Popovec
