Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Drift
Why DEI Is Important to Us
Our Founders
Diversity and inclusion is at the forefront of everything we do at Drift because it’s in our DNA. Our co-founder and CEO, David Cancel, is a first generation American, raised by an Ecuadorian mother and a Puerto Rican father. And co-founder and CTO, Elias Torres, was 17 when he immigrated to Tampa from Nicaragua with his mother and two brothers. They both know what it’s like to not come from much and to overcome obstacles to get to where they are.
The 2%
Elias and David are part of the just 2% of VC-backed startups led by Latinx founders. That statistic (and another that notes that 98% of Latinx-led companies report less than $1 million in annual revenue) proves we don’t have the processes or people in place to ensure that underrepresented minorities get the information and access others do. What’s more, just 8% of Latinx-owned businesses operate in the technology sector. David and Elias are out to change that.
Being a Role Model in Tech
At Drift, David and Elias are building a strong, enduring company because they believe in the products we’ve created and the team we’ve built. But also, because growing up, neither of them knew that building a company like Drift was even possible. They want to serve as role models to show other underrepresented minorities exactly what’s possible.
At Drift, David and Elias are building a strong, enduring company because they believe in the products we’ve created and the team we’ve built. But also, because growing up, neither of them knew that building a company like Drift was even possible. They want to serve as role models to show other underrepresented minorities exactly what’s possible.
The New Face of Corporate America
Drift’s goal is to be the new face of Corporate America. Because of our founder’s experiences, we’ve prioritized diversity, equity, and inclusion from day one. They’ll be the first to admit that, as a company, we have a long way to go, but we’re well on our way to ensuring that Drift’s founders aren’t the outliers, but instead the norm.
Drift’s goal is to be the new face of Corporate America. Because of our founder’s experiences, we’ve prioritized diversity, equity, and inclusion from day one. They’ll be the first to admit that, as a company, we have a long way to go, but we’re well on our way to ensuring that Drift’s founders aren’t the outliers, but instead the norm.
What We’re Doing
We’re always going to have more work to do. But one of the ways we think we can best make change is to be transparent about what we’re trying to achieve and how we’re doing it.
Talent
We hold ourselves accountable with annual goals for attracting, hiring, and retaining employees from various backgrounds. It’s not enough to hire with a focus on diversity, we also focus on helping individuals succeed once hired with mentorship opportunities and attention to equity.
Culture
We foster community within our walls to ensure employees from different backgrounds feel like they belong, and we use data to keep a pulse on how they’re feeling once at Drift. When we discover gaps, we address them head-on and create holistic guidance to foster a better experience.
Community
We’re invested in our customers, partners, and the communities in which our offices are located. When we learn about the diverse needs of our team, we respond accordingly because we’re not successful unless they are too.
Growth
Company demographics
Leadership
Technology roles
Employee Resource Groups
At Drift we respect different opinions and embrace the fact that we’re not the same. By doing that, we create unity. It’s one of the ways we align with our leadership principle ‘Create a Culture of Respect and Trust.’ A part of that is also having the ability to connect with others you relate to personally. For that reason, Drift supports ERGs in their grassroots growth.
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