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Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are voluntary, employee-led groups that engage in activities designed to foster a diverse, equitable, inclusive, accessible, and just (DEIAJ) workplace within the organizations they serve. ERGs have become increasingly relevant, helping to promote a sense of belonging among groups who identify along a variety of marginalized identities. Effective ERGs help leadership gain critical insights into the challenges certain groups face, assisting with retention and employee engagement. ERGs create safe spaces for members to speak truths and offer a collective voice around shared interests as well as a place to hone professional skills. Leveraging ERGs can help agencies achieve the DEIAJ goals mandated in several US Presidential Executive Orders (E.O. 13985, 2021; E.O. 14035, 2021). NOAA plays a critical role in influencing scientific communities and provides a unique opportunity to highlight actionable steps to enhance DEIAJ in these important spaces. NOAA is home to over 10 outstanding, award-winning ERGs. This article highlights successful aspects of NOAA’s ERGs and how various features may translate to other institutions and agencies seeking to improve DEIAJ in the workplace. 

This article highlights efforts across four US federal funding agencies (National Science Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and Office of Naval Research), each with differing, yet complementary, priorities and approaches to increasing and retaining diverse talent in ocean science education and workforce development. To understand the success and impact of our endeavors, we call attention to the need for meaningful evaluation of supported programs, which requires collecting and analyzing robust demographic data. Finally, we underscore the important role of federal agencies working alongside professional societies, national boards, and academic institutions in effecting cultural change and creating environments where the talents of all ocean sciences students, researchers, practitioners, and faculty can be fully recognized and supported.