Situation: A multinational consulting firm had several successful diversity and inclusion efforts and initiatives focused on the recruitment in place. The leadership team recognized a need to strengthen this foundation and supercharge the existing efforts in the short term, but also, in the medium term, increase the awareness of diversity across the organization, improve people processes to be more inclusive of diversity, and drive impact through improved recruiting, retention, and success of the organization’s people.

Intervention: The organization’s North America region created a position to lead the strategy and execution of its diversity and inclusion efforts across all staff. They determined this individual needed to be a seasoned executive who had the experience and passion to lead change and ensure that the diversity efforts meet the organization’s aspirations. This included developing and executing programs across a range of diversity efforts affecting employees at all levels of seniority at the firm.

Impact: Wes led the North American function as well as provided management and thought leadership to professionals charged with executing diversity plans. He set the strategy (in partnership with senior leadership), created and implemented a plan that enhanced the region’s approach to diversity and inclusion. Wes was instrumental unifying the management of the organization’s diversity programs to ensure a best-in-class approach and to help drive a more comprehensive dialogue about diversity and inclusion across the leadership teams and the organization. This was in keeping with the organization’s position as a premier employer and in concert with its core values.