CEOs strengthen talent pools, diversity over economic downturn
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — Several executives are increasingly prioritizing diversity in their talent pool despite the possibility of an economic downturn.
Speaking at a panel event in New York City, Ron Williams, CEO of RW2 Enterprises, said, “No company would hire an executive who didn’t have a basic level of financial acumen—and yet, we hire executives who do not have a basic level of diversity acumen.”
“It’s not viewed as part of the executive skill set as a requirement to be an executive. That has to change,” he added.
The event, moderated by Brendan Vaughan, Editor-in-Chief of Fast Company, and held in partnership with McKinsey & Company, heard from three CEOs and a senior McKinsey partner who all highlighted their companies’ commitments to diversifying the talent pool.
Robin Hayes, CEO of JetBlue, highlighted the company’s initiative to train employees who do not have college degrees to be pilots.
Meanwhile, Joanne Crevoiserat, CEO of Tapestry, emphasized that prioritizing diversity is important for the long-term health of companies.
The panelists also briefly discussed the role of AI in the workplace and the emergence of remote work, noting the importance of creating a culture that encompasses the shift to hybrid workplaces.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the current economic landscape, it is clear that CEOs are making strides toward strengthening their talent pools and their companies as a whole.
