RSM Joins 80+ Corporations in Supporting COVID-19 Response and 5-Point Action Agenda

CHICAGO – (April 30, 2020) – RSM US LLP (“RSM”) – the nation’s leading provider of audit, tax and consulting services focused on the middle market – is pleased to join a consortium of more than 80 supporting companies, launched by Ascend, the largest nonprofit Pan-Asian membership organization for business professionals and executives in North America, to address the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The consortium collectively calls for members, partners and associates to affirm its 5-Point Action Agenda:

• Promote inclusion: Advocate for a diverse and inclusive workplace and society.
• Raise awareness: Highlight the unique impacts of COVID-19 on vulnerable groups.
• Denounce bias: Encourage individuals to report virus-linked discriminatory acts against Pan-Asians and other targeted groups and communities in the workplace and in public.
• Support communities: Contribute time, knowledge and/or other resources to aid frontline workers, COVID-19 victims and families.
• Give donations: Provide funds and/or other resources to support vulnerable populations of people and impacted businesses.

In addition to Ascend, the founding organizations of this consortium include ALPFA, Catalyst, The Conference Board, Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), National Congress of American Indians, National Organization on Disability (NOD), Out & Equal, Tanenbaum and 80+ supporting companies, all focused on addressing the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Member organizations advocate for those in underserved communities who are particularly vulnerable to public health crises and economic downturns. Collectively, these organizations pledge to combat stigma and biases associating Pan-Asians with the novel coronavirus, as well as all forms of discrimination based on age, color, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation and veteran status. Organizations have delivered COVID-19 programming, including educational webinars and executive town halls; provided employee resource group (ERG) support programs, engaged in fundraising efforts to support front-line workers; and published resource guides to assist diverse groups. They are also working with key CEO coalitions such as CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion to advance awareness and education of virus-linked bias at the highest levels of the business community.