ON Semiconductor (Nasdaq: ON), driving energy efficiency innovations, today announced that it was named to the Arizona Republic’s prestigious 2016 Who’s Who in Business list, as one of the Top 10 Publicly Held Arizona Companies. Additionally, two of the company’s executives were listed among the state’s highest ranking women—Debbie Brogan, vice president of corporate program management, and Kimberly Appleton, vice president of global sales operations.

ON Semiconductor has long remained committed to diversity and inclusion, recognizing that the company is at its strongest when it effectively draws upon the wide variety of experiences, knowledge, culture, customs and backgrounds from all employees and leaders. Brogan and Appleton have been instrumental in helping to advance this diversity of thinking, which is a key part of the company’s core values of respect, integrity and initiative. In particular, they launched ON Semiconductor’s Women’s Leadership Initiative in 2014.

Since its inception, the Women’s Leadership Initiative has grown to a fully inclusive, global program that has been strengthened, fostered and led by Brogan and Appleton. They sponsored this corporate led initiative’s expansion outside of North America, with kickoff events in Europe and plans for further growth in Asia. Brogan and Appleton were inspired to launch this initiative because their careers have grown through similar programs and the mentoring of women leaders.

“As a company, we are honored to be named to the 2016 Who’s Who in Business,” said Appleton.

“We are also personally proud to represent our company’s diversity, by being listed among Arizona’s highest ranking women executives,” added Brogan. “Our goal for ON Semiconductor’s Women’s Leadership Initiative is to facilitate networking for a diverse and inclusive group that promotes our company’s core values, while providing the tools needed to succeed in today’s business world.” 

ON Semiconductor recently expanded on these efforts by launching a Diversity and Inclusion Initiative in the U.S. This initiative is sponsored and governed by the company’s Senior Leader Diversity and Inclusion Council, which will provide leadership, direction and support. The council’s focus areas include workplace inclusion, workforce diversity and community partnerships.

To advance this important initiative, the council will sponsor additional Affinity Network Groups. These groups will help facilitate networking and cultural awareness, encourage recruitment, and provide employee development and retention along with increased collaboration and innovation. ON Semiconductor’s next official Affinity Network Group, building on the Women’s Leadership Initiative, is called STEM UP, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math for Under-represented Populations. The company will establish additional affinity network groups to support and develop employees, and to respond to changing business requirements. For more information, visit http://www.onsemi.com/pub_link/Collateral/BRD8084-D.PDF.