At NKF, we are committed to having a workforce that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Your Voice Matters
Our Mission
The National Kidney Foundation is revolutionizing the fight to save lives by eliminating preventable kidney disease, accelerating innovation for the dignity of the patient experience, and dismantling structural inequities in kidney care, dialysis and transplantation.
Our Commitment to Transparency and Accountability
DEI Vision
The National Kidney Foundation is committed to building a workforce and organizational culture that is diverse, inclusive, equitable, and reflects our community. We believe that such a workforce can bring about the best outcomes for those already affected by kidney disease and prevent serious illness for others in the future.
Cultural Commitment
- We will first seek to understand, listen, and learn from our constituents.
- We will always and transparently measure our DEI efforts.
- We will hold ourselves accountable to our DEI vision.
Our Values
Accountability
Earn and keep trust
Collaboration
Work as a team
Communication
Empower with information
Community
Build stronger community
Compassion
Lead with care and respect
Impact
Focus on the Mission
Commitments from our Leaders
NKF CEO
Kevin Longino
"Diversity is fundamental to the success of the National Kidney Foundation. Our leadership works daily to guide teams using our Culture Values and informed DEI perspectives. We recognize our responsibility to maintain environments where all people feel they belong. We continue to work to create environments where all can have adequate access within the kidney health space. It is our responsibility to be a beacon to those affected by kidney disease and it starts with our people"
"Diversity is fundamental to the success of the National Kidney Foundation. Our leadership works daily to guide teams using our Culture Values and informed DEI perspectives. We recognize our responsibility to maintain environments where all people feel they belong. We continue to work to create environments where all can have adequate access within the kidney health space. It is our responsibility to be a beacon to those affected by kidney disease and it starts with our people"
NKF Chief People Officer
Chris Jackson
"As Chief people Officer my role is to build and sustain a workplace where teammates feel safe to be their authentic selves. We work to make sure our teammates know they will be heard and that their voices matter. Advocating for those disenfranchised from optimal kidney health care is an example of what true equity looks like. At NKF we recognize a diverse workforce that reflects the populations we serve, is crucial to enhance performance, innovation, and build a bridge to connect with and engage our diverse communities."
"As Chief people Officer my role is to build and sustain a workplace where teammates feel safe to be their authentic selves. We work to make sure our teammates know they will be heard and that their voices matter. Advocating for those disenfranchised from optimal kidney health care is an example of what true equity looks like. At NKF we recognize a diverse workforce that reflects the populations we serve, is crucial to enhance performance, innovation, and build a bridge to connect with and engage our diverse communities."
NKF VP of DEI
Ina McBean
"In this role I actively work to dig deep and drive change towards the most diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture possible. Our new DEI plan provides us with a roadmap to maintain an inclusive workplace. I’m not doing this work alone. I have an amazing DEI Council of employees who are committed to this work. We will continue to challenge ourselves to reflect, influence and cultivate a culture that values differences. I am thrilled to be on this journey at NKF, and I look forward to our continued progress."
"In this role I actively work to dig deep and drive change towards the most diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture possible. Our new DEI plan provides us with a roadmap to maintain an inclusive workplace. I’m not doing this work alone. I have an amazing DEI Council of employees who are committed to this work. We will continue to challenge ourselves to reflect, influence and cultivate a culture that values differences. I am thrilled to be on this journey at NKF, and I look forward to our continued progress."
Board Chair
Tracy McKibben
"We’ve worked diligently to get an accurate view of where we are and set a challenge and path for where we want to go. As Chair of NKF I look at this as an opportunity to help shape and guide the work of NKF in promoting health equity and increasing transplantation. It is important that we, at NKF, internalize and model the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Board fully supports the commitment of resources to ensure DEI is at the core of our mission, understanding that only by investing in the common goal of equity will we achieve real progress."
"We’ve worked diligently to get an accurate view of where we are and set a challenge and path for where we want to go. As Chair of NKF I look at this as an opportunity to help shape and guide the work of NKF in promoting health equity and increasing transplantation. It is important that we, at NKF, internalize and model the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Board fully supports the commitment of resources to ensure DEI is at the core of our mission, understanding that only by investing in the common goal of equity will we achieve real progress."
Community Partners
The Links, Incorporated
The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit established in 1946 consisting of more than 16,000 professional women of African descent. Since 2018, The Western Area of the Links Incorporated has partnered with NKF to promote kidney health and prevention of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In 2022, the Central Area joined forces to help further slow the impact of CKD in communities of color.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is one of the nine historically black Greek letter fraternities and sororities with 500 chapters nationwide across 12 districts. Since 2017, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. has engaged with the National Kidney Foundation to advocate for our kidney patient community, amplify health equity for those at risk and raise vital funds to support programs and services.
