Cognizant announced today that Jan Siegmund, Cognizant’s Chief Financial Officer has been named to the prestigious OUTstanding LGBT+ Role Model List 2022. INvolve, which publishes the list annually, supported by Yahoo! Finance, honors top LGBT executives and future leaders who are breaking down barriers and creating more inclusive workplaces. OUTstanding is part of INvolve, the consultancy and global network championing diversity and inclusion in business.

Individuals included on the OUTstanding LGBT+ Role Models List were nominated by their peers and colleagues and selected based on the work they've accomplished to advance LGBT+ recognition and inclusion both within their own company and in their communities. Nominations were then reviewed by the OUTstanding judging panel, who scored each person on the influence of their role, their impact on staff inside and outside the workplace and their business achievements.

Jan Siegmund, who has served as Cognizant’s Chief Financial Officer since 2020, has driven D&I efforts, particularly focused on the LGBTQ+ community. He is leading initiatives where employees can feel comfortable bringing their unique voice to the workplace and feel valued, respected and motivated, including his role as Executive Sponsor for Embrace, one of Cognizant’s largest associate-driven affinity groups. Embrace works to build a strong community among LGBTQ+ associates and their allies and champions an environment of inclusivity so all people can develop and grow their careers. Within Embrace, Jan developed a Global Leadership Council and implemented a systematic plan to expand the program’s activities in India, where Cognizant employs more than 250,000 associates.

“At Cognizant, our commitment and resources to diversity and inclusivity is creating a more equitable environment for our associates,” said Jan Siegmund. “It’s a privilege to work for a company whose dedication is enabling employees to share their voices freely and to be authentic in the workplace. It is truly an honor to be recognized by INvolve and the role they play in supporting LGBTQ+ initiatives.”

Outside of Cognizant, Jan is a former member of the Board of Directors of The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center and a founding financial sponsor for the RiseOut Activist-in-Residence fellowship program at The Center. The RiseOut program sponsors two Black LGBTQ+ New Yorkers each year who are working on projects addressing discrimination issues for the Black LGBTQ+ community in the New York City area.

To learn more about Cognizant’s commitment to diversity and inclusiveness, please visit here.