Symantec is well known for its Norton brand of security software. With the acquisition of Veritas Software in 2005 the company moved into enterprise backup and data-recovery products. The globalization of the technology industry has had significant implications for diversity at Symantec, where many teams are global and customers are located worldwide. Within the company diversity starts at the top. CEO John Thompson is African American, and other top leaders come from a variety of backgrounds. Symantec has a  global diversity and inclusion executive steering committee that focuses  on the strategic direction of Symantec’s global diversity and inclusion initiative. At the local level, grassroots efforts are led by diversity and inclusion councils of about a dozen employees. The councils work to increase diversity and identify barriers to an inclusive work environment. The local diversity and inclusion councils were instrumental in setting up a virtual network for Symantec’s GLBT community, . The diversity and inclusion councils also influenced Symantec’s decision to adopt gender transition guidelines and revise its nondiscrimination policy to include gender identity. Symantec offers domestic partner benefits. “A larger and more diverse pool of employees will ensure a diversity of perspectives in business planning, making Symantec an even more dynamic company,” notes McLatchey. Diversity on a global level can be difficult to achieve, McLatchey says. That’s why individual site efforts are so important. “The gender initiative resonates around the world, but in other areas the diversity perception changes depending on what part of the world you’re in.” Local diversity and inclusion councils help keep the initiative relevant, she adds.