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For decades, Gap Inc.’s iconic American brands—Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta—haven’t just reflected culture; they’ve shaped it. From inspiring authentic self-expression through fashion to marketing that celebrates humanity and its diverse stories, the company has consistently sought to bridge divides. Gap Inc.’s approach to inclusion and belonging is proving that its purpose—“bridging gaps to create a better world”—extends far beyond fashion.
At the heart of this movement is Tish Archie-Oliver, Gap Inc.’s Chief Inclusion & Belonging Officer, who describes the company’s commitment to inclusion not as a surface-level initiative, but as the fabric of Gap Inc.’s business, legacy and culture today. Tish joined Gap Inc. in August, wanting to approach her work from a global, more holistic perspective at an organization that has been committed to this journey since its inception.
During the hiring process, conversations with senior leadership and Gap. Inc. CEO Richard Dickson led her to believe she had found the right fit for the next phase of her professional journey.
“My conversations with Gap Inc. leaders left me feeling inspired,” Tish recalls. “They were openly discussing the importance of this work and really doubling down on upgrading this role and commitment to this work because they recognize the importance inclusion and belonging can have in reinvigorating a culture and business.”
Belonging Beyond Inclusion
Where many organizations stop at inclusion, Gap Inc. is focused on building belonging into every layer of the business.
“Belonging is about more than just being invited in. It’s about the space to be yourself, feeling valued, supported, and respected.” Tish explains. “Internally, I always tell my team it’s about all people being recognized and seen within our organization.” This philosophy guides everything from how Gap Inc. recruits and retains talent to how it shapes leadership opportunities and fosters employee impact.
For Tamesha Hoppie-Henry, Vice President of Tech Operations for Gap Inc., that philosophy hits close to home. As a self-taught, 20-year technology veteran, Tamesha joined Gap Inc. because the company’s purpose aligned with her passion for breaking barriers in technology—especially for Black technologists.
“It wasn’t just about representation—it was about intention,” she says. “I’m here because Gap Inc. didn’t just want me at the table. They wanted me to help build a community that could bring more voices like mine to the table, and that’s the real power of belonging.”
“Historically, women— and especially Black women—haven’t been widely represented in tech, especially in senior roles,” she tells AfroTech. “When I arrived, I was the only one in the room. That’s why I knew I had to create pathways for other Black technologists to join and thrive at Gap Inc. It’s about creating community where people feel supported, developed, and have opportunities for growth.”
Tamesha’s solution? Launching Black In Tech employee resource group at Gap, Inc., dedicated to connecting Black technologists, providing mentorship, and ensuring that they not only join the company but also thrive within it.
A Legacy of Bridging Gaps
Gap Inc’s approach to inclusion isn’t a reaction to the times—it’s an evolution of its founding principles. Since 1969, the company has prioritized breaking down barriers, whether through equitable pay practices, product accessibility, or using its platform to spark conversations about gender, race, and sustainability.
As Gap Inc. looks toward its future, the company is taking cues from its customers and the world around us. For Tish, that means being intentional about how to close the equity and inclusion gaps and removing barriers to opportunity.
“The gap is where the equity exists. As we think about the next five years of our inclusion and belonging work, it’s about understanding where those gaps may appear—across business, culture and people—and creating the enablers to close them.” she explains.
Despite the company’s progress, Tish remains focused on ensuring continued growth. “I won’t sit here and pretend that we’re going to solve everything at once, but we’re being intentional by embedding purpose into every business decision—not as an afterthought, but as a driver,” she says.
While both Tish and Tamesha emphasize the importance of ensuring that Gap Inc.’s internal diversity is reflected in its consumer-facing brands, they also agree on the broader influence that Gap Inc. and the company has on shaping culture and the future of fashion.
“There’s an opportunity to leverage the scale of Gap Inc. in a courageous and magnetic way that brings people together to bridge divides in the world. What makes Gap Inc. unique is that we’re able to be the catalyst and culture changers through fashion,” says Tish.
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