It was a pleasure for DiversityGlobal Magazine staff to read the nomination forms for the 2023 Top 15 Chief Diversity Officers. These are people striving to make the business environment more diverse, equitable, and inclusive and they are dynamic, creative, and passionate about using their roles to ensure sustained progress. For companies operating or collaborating globally, taking the principles of DEI to locations in different cultures presents challenges because perspectives and expectations are different, but that did not slow down the Top 15 Chief Diversity Officers, because they vigorously maintain a focus on accelerating DEI. What better way to do so than by taking the principles across borders?
Accelerating diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is difficult because changing people’s ingrained biases is difficult. It is patience, creativity, and dynamic approaches of skilled leadership that are bringing success. The Chief Diversity Officers are making a measurable impact with social initiatives, community efforts, and internal organizational initiatives. They are improving the employee experience, democratizing talent access, communicating with conviction and purpose, and empowering people to make the world a more inclusive place.
It is exciting to see the work accomplished by the Top 15 Chief Diversity Officers. Each diversity leader has a personal perspective on DEI and uses it as a springboard for action. Nicole Durham at Baker Hughes believes the organizational culture is a determining factor in achieving the highest level of inclusion and belonging. Karyn Twaronite at EY is accelerating equity on a global basis through Neuro-Diversity Centers of Excellence.
There is a focus on connectedness in Elena Richard’s efforts at KPMG, while Elizabeth Morrison at Levi Strauss created a dynamic and vibrant approach to cultivating the next diverse generation of fashion talent. Natalie Edwards at National Grid supports open and honest conversations in the belief that there should be no hesitation about saying, “we can do better.” At Nationwide, Angela Bretz combined DEI and talent acquisition to accelerate DEI progress, and Lori Martinez at Salesforce concentrates on improving the employee experience.
At Vanguard, Crystal Langston strives for sustained change through social and community efforts. Kevin Wells is pioneering DEI in the conservation industry sector through his efforts at the Wildlife Conservation Center. Shunda Robinson at GM Financial follows a philosophy that everyone wants to be seen, heard, and validated and believes change starts within each person. Chandra Vasser at Nissan America developed a DEI roadmap for action that includes connecting diverse teams of people.
At SiriusXM Nicole Hughey is focused on creating a place of belonging. Paloma Denaris at Dick’s Sporting Goods developed impact teams, while Nichole Barnes at Pinterest says she does not have an occupation - she has an “ocu-passion” for DEI based on purpose. Teedera Bernard at TransUnion is developing an organizational culture of shared responsibility, transparency, and collaboration.
Each 2023 Top 15 Chief Diversity Officer has designed the ideal DEI strategy that best fits their organization. They are critical people in the global effort to make the “social” in ESG a reality. The lack of progress often discussed by diversity professionals signifies that overcoming biases is never easy. The business world is constructed on financial considerations, and too many executives have still not accepted that there is a solid, proven business case for DEI. That is not the story for the Top 15 Chief Diversity Officers. Each of them wrote that a significant reason they are successful is due to unwavering support from the C-suite. The lesson is that changing hearts and minds must start at the top, flow down to the frontline employees and outward to all stakeholders.
Please join DiversityGlobal Magazine in congratulating the Top 15 Chief Diversity Officers. Everyone is encouraged to read their bios for inspiration and apply that inspiration through actions. The people making their organizations more diverse, equitable, and inclusive now are preparing them for the sustained change necessary for long-term success. All the Chief Diversity Officers are DEI champions and will unselfishly discuss their strategies and actions with anyone who wants more information after reading the bios. DiversityGlobal Magazine hopes you find the inspiration, courage, and persistence needed to take action in your organizations.