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When DEIB and L&D come together, magical things can happen. While the challenge identified by DoorDash might not be considered one L&D can create a solution for, the reality looked a bit different. This is the story of Elevate, a long-term leadership program for women of color.
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DoorDash, a company well-known for its food delivery services, operates with a workforce of over 9,000 employees across multiple countries and a hybrid work model, combining in-office and remote work setups.
DoorDash identified a significant gap in representation within its leadership positions, particularly for women of color.
To address this significant gap in representation, DoorDash launched the Leadership Accelerator for Women of Color. This initiative was specifically designed to help high-performing women of color advance into senior leadership roles by providing tools, resources, and a supportive community, ultimately contributing to a more diverse leadership team.
The program not only offers traditional skills training but also creates a space for candid discussions about workplace barriers, resilience building, and strategies to navigate complex environments. Although initially aimed at addressing underrepresentation, the Leadership Accelerator provides valuable lessons for anyone designing leadership development programs.
Let’s dive in!
Successful leadership development programs require a passionate advocate to spearhead the initiative. DoorDash identified a leader at the senior management level who was committed to advancing women of color, understood the systemic barriers they faced, and had the influence necessary to drive the program forward.
When they started looking for the sponsor of the program, the team knew the leader needed to be adaptable, persuasive, and data-driven, capable of garnering buy-in from key stakeholders at all levels.
Equally important was ensuring that everyone involved—from leaders and managers to participants—was aligned with the program's goals and fully committed to its success.
Before launching Elevate company-wide, DoorDash initiated a pilot to test its effectiveness. The pilot allowed the company to gather valuable data, measure the impact, and refine the program based on participant feedback. This approach ensured that any issues could be addressed before scaling the program, increasing the chances of success.