Caleres announces its 100 rating in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s assessment of LGBTQ+ workplace equality
ST. LOUIS, Jan. 7, 2025 -- Caleres (NYSE: CAL), a market-leading portfolio of consumer-driven footwear brands, has received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s (HRCF) 2025 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. Caleres joins 765 U.S. businesses that will be honored with HRCF’s Equality 100 Award as Leaders in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion.
“Being recognized by the HRCF for the third time demonstrates our commitment to building a respectful and inclusive workplace,” said Jay Schmidt, president and CEO of Caleres. “I’m proud to lead an organization where people of all backgrounds can thrive. Building and maintaining a workforce that reflects the diverse customers we serve is critical to our success.”
The results of the 2025 CEI showcase how U.S.-based companies are promoting LGBTQ+ friendly workplace policies in the U.S. and abroad. The first year of the CEI included 319 participants and the 2025 CEI surveyed 1,449 participants – the highest number of rated companies since the start of the CEI in 2002. A record-breaking 98% of CEI businesses have non-discrimination protections specific to gender identity.
The CEI rates employers providing these protections to more than 22 million U.S. workers across hundreds of public and private mid- to large-sized businesses. It rates companies on detailed criteria falling under four central pillars:
- Non-discrimination policies across business entities
- Equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families
- Supporting an inclusive culture
- Corporate social responsibility
The full report is available at www.hrc.org/cei.
About Caleres
Caleres is a market-leading portfolio of global footwear brands that includes Famous Footwear, Sam Edelman, Allen Edmonds, Naturalizer and Vionic. Our products are available virtually everywhere - in the nearly 1,000 retail stores we operate, in hundreds of major department and specialty stores, on our branded e-commerce sites, and on many additional third-party retail websites. Combined, these brands make Caleres a company with both a legacy and a mission. Our legacy is our more than 140 years of craftsmanship and our passion for fit, while our mission is to continue to inspire people to feel great… feet first. Visit caleres.com to learn more about us.
About the Human Rights Campaign Foundation
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its programs, the HTC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public’s understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice. Its work has transformed the landscape for more than 15 million workers, 11 million students, 1 million clients in the adoption and foster care system and more. The HRC Foundation provides direct consultation and technical assistance to institutions and communities, driving the advancement of inclusive policies and practices; builds the capacity of future leaders and allies through fellowship and training; and with the firm belief that we are stronger working together, forges partnerships with advocates in the U.S. and around the globe to increase our impact and shape the future of our work.
Media:
Kelly Malone
kmalone@caleres.com
Investors:
Liz Dunn
ldunn@caleres.com