NiSource Named to 2018 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index

MERRILLVILLE, Ind., Jan. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- NiSource today announced that it is one of 104 companies worldwide from 10 sectors to join the inaugural 2018 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI). Launched today, the reference index measures gender equality across internal company statistics, employee policies, external community support and engagement, and gender-conscious product offerings.

The sector-neutral Bloomberg GEI follows the release of the Bloomberg Financial Services Gender-Equality Index, launched in 2016.

"NiSource is proud to join some of the world's leading companies on the inaugural Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index," said NiSource Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Carrie Hightman. "Building a diverse team and an inclusive culture is a significant driver of innovation for our customers and plays a critical role in our business success. This recognition, along with recently being named a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality, further supports that NiSource is a great place to work, grow and build a career for all."

Hightman is one of NiSource's Executive Inclusion and Diversity Champions and created NiSource's first leadership development program exclusively focused on building the next generation of high-potential female employees. This program has since expanded to a broader population of underrepresented diverse talent at NiSource. 

The 2018 GEI expands globally to represent 24 countries and regions, including firms headquartered in Belgium, Chile, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Singapore and Taiwan for the first time. Companies range from a variety of sectors, including communications, consumer staples, energy, financials, materials and technology.

"We commend NiSource and the other 103 companies included in the 2018 GEI for their efforts to create work environments that support gender equality across a diverse range of industries," said Peter T. Grauer, Chairman of Bloomberg and Founding Chairman of the U.S. 30% Club. "Their leadership sets an important example that will help all organizations innovate and navigate the growing demand for diverse and inclusive workplaces."

NiSource submitted a social survey created by Bloomberg in partnership with third-party experts Catalyst, Women's World Banking, Working Mother Media, National Women's Law Center, and National Partnership for Women & Families. Those included on this year's index scored at or above a global threshold established by Bloomberg to reflect disclosure and the achievement or adoption of best-in-class statistics and policies.

Read more about NiSource's commitment to inclusion and diversity at www.nisource.com. 

For more information on the GEI and how to submit information for next year's index visit https://www.bloomberg.com/professional/sustainable-finance/.

2018 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index Members:

Accenture AIA Group Allianz American Express AMN Healthcare Services Annaly Capital Management ANZ AT&T AU Optronics AXA Banco Santander Banco Santander Chile Bank of America Bank of Montreal Bank of Queensland Barclays BB Seguridade Participações BBVA BNP Paribas BNY Mellon CA Technologies CIBC Citigroup City Developments Limited Clorox Core Laboratories CVS Health Daiwa Securities DaVita DBS Deutsche Post Deutsche Telekom Diageo Dominion Energy Dr. Reddy's Laboratories DuPont Estée Lauder Euronav Fifth Third Bank First Data First Horizon Fortescue Metals Group Franklin Resources Gap Inc. GoDaddy Grupo Financiero Banorte The Hartford Iberdrola ING Ingredion Intesa Sanpaolo Itaú Unibanco JPMorgan Chase & Co. Kering Leidos Lions Gate Entertainment L'Oréal Mastercard Maybank MetLife Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Mizuho Financial Morgan Stanley MS&AD Insurance National Australia Bank National Bank of Greece Nidec NiSource Nordea Bank Northern Trust NTT DOCOMO NVIDIA Old National Bank PNC Financial Services Group Praxair Prudential QBE Insurance Recruit Holdings Rogers Communications RBC RBS Schneider Electric Scholastic Scotiabank Sodexo SSE Standard Chartered STMicroelectronics Sun Life Financial Swedbank Teck Resources Telefónica TD Bank TransCanada Türkiye Garanti Bankası UBS Visa Voya Financial Walmart de México Westpac Weyerhaeuser Yum! Brands Zillow Zurich Insurance

About NiSourceNiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI) is one of the largest fully-regulated utility companies in the United States, serving approximately 3.5 million natural gas customers and 500,000 electric customers across seven states through its local Columbia Gas and NIPSCO brands. Based in Merrillville, Indiana, NiSource's approximately 8,000 employees are focused on safely delivering reliable and affordable energy to our customers and communities we serve. NiSource has been designated a World's Most Ethical Company by the Ethisphere Institute since 2012 and is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability - North America Index and was named by Forbes magazine as the top-rated utility among America's Best Large Employers in 2017. Additional information about NiSource, its investments in modern infrastructure and systems, its commitments and its local brands can be found at http://www.nisource.com. Follow us at http://www.facebook.com/nisource, http://www.linkedin.com/company/nisource or http://www.twitter.com/nisourceinc. NI-F

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SOURCE NiSource Inc.