GU Energy Labs Signs On To OIWC CEO Pledge

Brian Vaughan, Chief Endurance Officer of GU Energy Labs, has signed the OIWC CEO Pledge, advancing the fight for equal representation of women in the workplace. The CEO Pledge, developed by the Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition (OIWC), seeks to establish gender diversity as a strategic, visible priority within the outdoor, snow, bike, and run industries. 

Research shows that companies with a higher proportion of women on their leadership teams are also the companies that have the best financial performance. However, one of the biggest challenges the industry will face over the next 10 years is competition for employees with specialized skills who understand the consumer’s needs. Signing the OIWC CEO Pledge means that GU Energy Labs is joining a community committed to attracting, retaining, and elevating talented women with a love for the outdoors.

“I’m signing the CEO Pledge because I believe strongly in a gender—diverse workforce, one that combines the right skills and talents. GU Energy Labs has clearly benefted as a company over the years by the contributions and leadership of some key women,” said Vaughan. “In working with OIWC, we will be able to provide even more career development and advancement to women in the company, as well as find better ways to recruit candidates from outside the industry.”

Companies that sign the pledge agree to, among other things, follow recruiting practices that promote gender-balanced candidate pools for key roles, work to optimize retention of female employees, and provide training, mentoring and career planning for the women in the workforce. 

“We’re thrilled that GU Energy Labs is supporting OIWC in making this a visible priority,” said Deanne Buck, Executive Director of the OIWC. “We’ll be stronger and more innovative as an industry if we build an environment where great ideas born from a diversity of experiences thrive.”

About OIWC

Founded in 1996, the Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition is the only national organization dedicated to workplace diversity and inclusion by expanding opportunities for women and companies in the outdoor, snow, run, and bike industries. To learn more about the OIWC CEO pledge, visit oiwc.org/pledge.

ABOUT GU ENERGY LABS

GU is a leading sports nutrition brand founded in Berkeley, CA in 1993. GU’s products help athletes hydrate, energize, and recover optimally before, during, and after demanding endurance activities. Discover the potential of nutrition planning by visiting www.GUEnergy.com