Ascend’s mission is to drive workplace and societal impact by developing and elevating all Asian and Pacific Islander (API) professionals and empowering them to become catalysts for change. Despite workforce gains and career successes for APIs in the last half century, APIs remain an underserved and understudied population in the corporate world and in America today. Ascend’s research has repeatedly shown that Asians are the most likely to be hired for professional jobs but the least likely to advance to become executives.

Yet, Asians are also the U.S.’ fastest growing racial or ethnic group with its population projected to surpass 34 million by 2040 and 46 million by 2060. This will translate into not only a larger API workforce but an even larger customer base in the decades to come. In 2021, Asian Americans’ buying power of $1.3 trillion was larger than the annual economic GDP of all but 13 countries, and Asian American households are projected to spend over $1 million more than the average U.S. household throughout their lifetimes. On a global level, Asia is home to the world’s largest consumer market and will continue to be the driver of middle-class growth throughout this decade.

All these reasons make it imperative for forward-looking companies to better understand and cultivate Asian and Pacific Islanders not only as employees but as present and future customers, and to support their continued thriving and advancement at work and in society. 

ATLAS Corporate Survey: The ATLAS corporate survey is not just another workplace survey but is a U.S-based benchmark that will use scientifically validated questions that seek to align a company’s equity and inclusion (E&I) practices with its mission, values, and culture and to inform the relationship between employer and API-employees. Survey questions will include quantitative and qualitative questions about current corporate practices around:

 - Organizational E&I Landscape

 - E&I Strategy, Architecture, and Goals

 - Recruitment and Talent Development

 - Internal Culture and Environment

 - External Engagement Initiatives and Community Investment

ATLAS Employee Survey: The ATLAS employee survey, which we invite participating companies to distribute to their employees, is a comprehensive survey that seeks to uncover issues important to API employees that can both provide organizations a comprehensive tool to measure the outcome and effectiveness of their equity and inclusion programs and initiatives, and also illuminate new opportunities for creating even more equitable and inclusive workplaces. This survey also uses scientifically validated questions to assess API employees’ views on leadership, organizational culture, and challenges and opportunities that will further strengthen the employer-API employee relationship.

All submissions are strictly confidential. Only aggregated responses and patterns will be presented in reports.

Creating a successful and socially responsible workplace is a continuous journey that requires the ongoing participation of all stakeholders.

As an Ascend organizational partner who cares about retention, equity, and inclusion for API talent, your company’s participation will set your organization apart as an employer concerned about creating and expanding equitable, inclusive, and bias-free environments for its API workforce.

Your organization’s participation is also an opportunity to be recognized for innovations in both people and business management.

Corporations that participate in the ATLAS are joining in a collective effort to advance API employees and communities into a more equitable future. Our objective is progress, not perfection. No matter where organizations currently stand in their E&I journey, Ascend will partner with companies looking to initiate or accelerate their equity and inclusion efforts on behalf of their API workforce that is in alignment with their organization’s mission and values. Companies will not be ranked or rated in this inaugural year of the study, but we look to showcase companies for especially innovative or leading practices in bolstering equity, inclusion, and belonging for their API workforce. Insights from project participation will provide actionable strategies for companies to further strengthen the employer-API employee relationship.

Specific benefits of participation include:

- National recognition (in final report and accompanying program) as an employer committed to innovation, equity, and inclusion for your API workforce, and for organizational best practices, where applicable.

- Company specific report containing third-party aggregated summary of benchmarking insights and industry data and analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of your EDIB programs and initiatives, and to pinpoint key areas where API support and inclusion can be improved for your company.

- Deeper understanding of your API employees’ sentiments and candid assessments on organizational culture, company policies and programs, and where company and employees may be aligned or apart.*

- Additional opportunity for customized, in-depth company reports and/or individual review calls with Ascend representatives.

* Distributing the employee survey is not required for company participation in the ATLAS but is strongly recommended in order to provide a more comprehensive assessment and analysis.

1. To participate in the survey, please email the Ascend Foundation at research@ascendleadership.org.  

2. You will be provided with additional information on how to complete the survey and also receive the Ascend ATLAS Confidentiality, Security and Use Agreement. Only one (1) survey may be submitted per company. All submissions are strictly confidential. Only aggregated responses and patterns will be presented in reports.

3. Complete the corporate survey by September 30, 2024.

4. Optional/highly encouraged: Distribute the employee survey to your Asian and Pacific Islander workforce for collection by September 30. All employee responses are confidential and will only be reported to your organization on an aggregated level.

There is no fee to participate in the inaugural survey.