Strengthened by Diversity

Our diversity and culture of inclusion make BNSF a better, more capable company. In 2021, 53% of new BNSF hires were minorities or women. Other ways we support diversity include participating in scholarship programs that benefit minority students, including Girls Inc., the Hispanic Women’s Network of North Texas and the National Association of Asian Americans. And the BNSF Railway Foundation supports organizations such as the American Indian Science and Engineering Society and the United Negro College Fund. Recognition includes being ranked #6 on Forbes’ 2021 list of America’s Best Employers for Women and recognized as a Top 50 Workplace for Indigenous STEM Professionals.

Valuing Veterans

More than 6,200 BNSF employees are either military veterans or are still serving in the Guard or Reserves. Supporting reservists is an established tradition at BNSF, with time off for training and deployment readily available. Our BRAVE (Business Resource and Veterans Engagement) group helps veterans, reservists and first responders engage with communities, build leadership skills and develop their careers. Recent recognition includes receiving the Military-Friendly Award and being named a Top Employer for U.S. Military Veterans.

Training and Professional Development Opportunities

With best-in-class training using simulators, on-the-job rotations and guidance from industry experts, peers and BNSF leaders, BNSF team members have numerous opportunities to enhance their skills. And we support career development in multiple ways, including programs for Management Trainees, Experienced First-Line Supervisors and First-Line Supervisors, along with opportunities for formalized feedback and coaching, leadership training, mentoring and tuition reimbursement. We also support our people through the Employee Assistance Program, which provides professional and personalized assistance for employees and family members dealing with work and home challenges.

Recognition

Recognition for supporting veterans, diversity and training initiatives includes:

Tribal Relations

BNSF’s Tribal Relations Program, the first of its kind in the industry, seeks to build and strengthen ties with the many diverse tribal nations on our network. We meet regularly with tribal leaders and citizens to discuss emergency response, rail safety, economic development and other cultural and environmental matters. And, through the BNSF Railway Foundation, we support nonprofit groups that address the community needs of Tribes, First Nations and Pueblos.

BNSF Railway Foundation

BNSF’s principal vehicle for supporting charitable community organizations is through the BNSF Railway Foundation.

The BNSF Railway Foundation supports causes and programs including:

  • Veteran-focused groups including Eisenhower Foundation, Employment Connection, Injured Military Wildlife Project and Paws and Stripes
  • Groups focused on helping people affected by the Dixie Fire, with more than $65,000 given to nonprofits across California.
  • Groups who help improve quality of life in our communities, including $30,000 donated to the Tulsa Dream League, the first fully funded elementary soccer league in North Tulsa, Oklahoma.
  • Groups who promote health and education in our communities, such as All Kids Bike, with contributions of $35,000 to programs in Arizona, Montana, Nebraska and Wyoming.

Employee Giving

Year after year, the employees of BNSF demonstrate their generosity and connection to their communities with local philanthropic endeavors.

2021 employee giving highlights include:

  • The Safety Team in Amarillo, Texas, donated food and winter hats to the Maverick Boys & Girls Club of Amarillo.
  • Employees in Guthrie, Oklahoma, donated 68 turkeys at Thanksgiving to a local food bank.
  • In New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada, Senior Special Agent Dan Ritchie donated food and winter wear to area homeless people.
  • Employees in San Bernardino, California, worked with local nonprofits on the San Bernardino Community Shoe Drive, which distributed 300-plus new shoes, socks and other supplies to children and families in need.