Developing an inclusive culture where all Associates feel comfortable and confident coming to work as their true selves is foundational to the way that Sam Duncan has helped to shape OfficeMax. He believes that by embracing diversity OfficeMax engages and attracts the best people and ideas “enabling the company to fulfill its mission of "helping our customers do their best work."
Mr. Duncan's earliest days were spent in rural Arkansas, where his family earned a humble living in farming. From his childhood days, he learned firsthand the injustice that comes from discrimination. These memories have stayed with him throughout his career and have shaped his executive leadership.
Mr. Duncan joined OfficeMax in 2005 as president and chief executive officer. As he worked to create a new corporate culture for OfficeMax, he made sure that diversity was a fundamental value for the company. In 2006 he established an Office of Diversity and named Carolynn Brooks as Chief Diversity Officer. He serves as co-chair of the Diversity Council and actively guides the evolution of OfficeMax's culture.
In 2008 OfficeMax instituted domestic partner benefits for Associates companywide. In addition, OfficeMax Associate Resource Groups were launched, enabling Associates to explore, celebrate and share their culture as well as align their goals to our business objectives. Senior executives act as executive sponsors and participate in the development and activities of these groups.
Mr. Duncan also helped support the creation of private areas to enable Associates of various faiths to exercise their beliefs in appropriate environments.
While the focus is on Associates, to help support and develop the culture Diversity training is held for all management. All CEO direct reports are accountable for meeting their goals associated with the Diversity action plans for their departments. Mentoring is also important to Mr. Duncan and the development of a formal program is underway. As part of the pilot program, he is personally mentoring a young OfficeMax Associate.
Mr. Duncan recognizes the importance of Diversity as it relates to customers and community. Women have been recognized as OfficeMax's primary customers and significant research into their priorities and challenges has yielded new solutions-oriented stylish products, and created a revamped marketing program.
Within the community Mr. Duncan regularly hosts conversations with minority groups to garner ideas, bolster recruitment and share his life and business experience. He also supports the company's volunteer outreach efforts including "A Day Made Better." A program that in 2008 provided 1,200 teachers with over $1,000 worth of supplies with the goal of ending teacher funded classrooms.
Today, thanks to Mr. Duncan's progressive leadership, OfficeMax has created a world-class diversity program that other public and private organizations use as examples of excellence in modeling their own organizations.
