people and community

a clear vision guides workplace disability inclusion programs

2 min read | october 30, 2023

Leo Knittel, president of Chevron’s ENABLED employee network, celebrates on stage during the 2023 Disability:IN Conference in Orlando, Florida. ENABLED was named Employee Resource Group of the Year.

Leo Knittel may not be able to see, but his vision for excellence is crystal clear.

A rare eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa took Knittel’s eyesight when he was in his late 30s. While he’s experienced challenges along the way, that hasn’t stopped him from thriving in the world around him.

Today, as president of Chevron’s global ENABLED (ENhancing ABilities and LEveraging Disabilities) employee network, he continues to turn obstacles into opportunities.

“To me, success means increasing accessibility and promoting employees for their accomplishments, rather than their disabilities.”

leo knittel
president of Chevron’s ENABLED employee network

a sight on success

Disability:IN, a nonprofit for business disability inclusion worldwide, honored Chevron’s ENABLED employee network as 2023 Employee Resource Group of the Year. The award recognizes the group’s programs and initiatives that fuel professional growth for members like Knittel.

Leo Knittel shares his thoughts on believing in the strength of people with disabilities.

focused on support

In the past two years, ENABLED has:

  • Doubled its membership from 1,200 to nearly 2,500.
  • Hosted an ENABLED Summit, inviting all Chevron employees to better understand how disability inclusion helps enrich, empower and enable Chevron’s workforce.
  • Opened new chapters on three different continents.
  • Continued to expand company-wide accessibility across internal and external digital communications.

what’s next

Knittel is ready to keep that momentum going.

“I want to ensure that ENABLED will continue a legacy of strength, diversity and committed leadership that can keep making sure that all voices will be heard,” he said.

Leo Knittel and his colleague Priscila Netto visited Chevron’s Oronite plant in Mauà, São Paulo, Brazil. The pair were onsite to promote our new ENABLED South America chapter.

Leo Knittel and his colleague Priscila Netto visited Chevron’s Oronite plant in Mauà, São Paulo, Brazil. The pair were onsite to promote the new ENABLED South America chapter.

why it matters

An inclusive work environment that values the diversity of employees’ talents, experiences and ideas leads to more innovation and higher performance.

innovation icon

ingenuity

Persons with disabilities are developing problem-solving skills, agility and persistence to navigate the world around them, which is essential for innovation.

productivity

Working alongside people with disabilities makes nondisabled individuals more aware of how to make the workplace more inclusive for everyone.

business growth

Businesses that hire persons with disabilities and foster inclusive cultures report bottom-line benefits that show proven return on investment.

Learn more about how Chevron is enabling human progress through diversity and inclusion.