Goals and progress
Employees | Our program in action
Kristina: "Everyday life" diversity
Location: San Francisco, California
Summary: Kristina Militante knows that diversity is not just a buzzword at Gap Inc.; “it’s everyday life.” As president of Gay Employees, Allies and Resources (GEAR), she works to ensure “a safe, inclusive environment for all employees.”
Kristina Militante serves two important roles at Gap Inc. She’s senior director, IT, for the Outlet division, and she’s president of Gay Employees, Allies and Resources (GEAR) — a company employee resource group.
Kristina’s been actively involved in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues for most of her 13 years at Gap Inc., including GEAR, which started two years ago.
Now, as GEAR’s president, she says she’s working with “a dream team” — including the group’s executive sponsor, steering committee, board and members — to help encourage equal treatment.
“Gap Inc. empowers employees to be true to themselves and embrace one another,” she says. “That is what sets us apart from other companies: diversity is everyday life.”
GEAR started as a small group for LGBT employees. “But we came to realize that allies are just as important, so we changed our name to Gay Employees, Allies and Resources. GEAR is about creating a safe and inclusive environment for all employees.”
With nearly 300 members across Gap Inc., GEAR has led the charge in celebrating LGBT people and creating better understanding of LGBT issues – both within the group and across the entire employee community. In the last year, the board:
- Organized speaker events, cross-company mixers and a GEAR road show
- Raised money for LGBT causes
- Expanded membership to stores via social media
- Provided input and feedback to executives on LGBT issues within the company
- Provided GEAR, Employee Resource Group and Diversity and Inclusion information to all 3,000 U.S. stores
These efforts helped Gap Inc. achieve a 100 percent rating for the fourth consecutive year in the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index.
The group’s progress will provide the foundation for other employee resource groups to be successful, Kristina says.
“Last year was about stability. This year is about leading change. We have lots of opportunity to work with the Diversity Council and leadership teams to clarify processes and spearhead policy change to support LGBT members.”
“GEAR has become a family that I constantly draw inspiration and guidance from. Being part of GEAR has enabled me to grow as a leader, mentor others, and bring people together to make positive changes come to life.”
