Candice Barnhardt, Chief Diversity Officer

Candice Barnhardt is our Chief Diversity Officer, leading Nationwide's Office of Diversity and Inclusion. She has led diversity work at Nationwide since 2004.

Through strategic planning, Barnhardt leads corporate diversity efforts in the areas of workforce, workplace, marketplace, community and suppliers to fulfill our vision − to be a place where everyone's voice is heard and valued and customers know our On Your Side^® promise.

Prior to her current position, she was vice president of Nationwide's Organizational Effectiveness Practice. She was responsible for leading strategies that support a healthy, high-performance culture. Among her accomplishments is the development of culture change workshops that have touched more than 25,000 Nationwide associates since 2001. She has also implemented company-wide associate engagement measures.

"We believe that an effective diversity and inclusion strategy will increase associate engagement, increase customer loyalty, while leveraging and strengthening our reputation as a company that truly protects what matters most. As part of that strategic objective, we understand that developing a culture of diversity and inclusion takes time and a commitment to building relationships." - Candice Barnhardt