Empowering Employees Through DEI, Opportunity and Community

Case Study

Rural Sourcing is an Atlanta, Georgia-based leading digital engineering outsourcing provider with a cost-effective, agile approach to high quality software development, platform modernization and cloud application development. As part of its mission statement to create high-quality technology careers in places where they would not otherwise exist and create positive changes in the communities in which the company operates, Rural Sourcing began to discuss what diversity, equity and inclusion means to the organization many years ago.

The company’s DEI ambition is to have a workforce representative of the cities in which it operates and to have an inclusive workforce that employees speak highly of and helps attract outstanding talent. These goals led to the formation of the Equity, Inclusion & Diversity (EI&D) Council – a group that solicits engagement across the company, sets the DEI framework, metrics and goals, and develops initiatives to achieve progress internally, within local communities, and within the technology industry at large.

Rural Sourcing also encourages informal workplace communities where employees can come together for open and honest dialogue. The company has formalized these communities into Colleague Resource Groups (CRGs) including: Rainbow, Women and Friends, Black Voices, Disabilities, and Veterans. The CRGs offer direct input on local and companywide DEI initiatives such as Pride celebrations, identifying diverse talent management and recruitment platforms and partnerships with non-profits. Formalizing CRGs has had a direct impact on employee satisfaction as well as Rural Sourcing’s role in the technology industry and the level of service it offers to clients. The company reports positive employee satisfaction from 92% of its employees and now employs over 900 software developers in small and mid-sized metro areas across the country.

Todd Cook
Rural Sourcing is demonstrating how companies can thoughtfully integrate DEI practices at all levels to empower individuals, inspire authentic exchanges of ideas and improve organizational performance.
Todd Cook, Managing Director, Double Impact