An intimate dialogue: Black female HR executives on the leading edge of DE&I

Led by Heidrick & Struggles partner Cheryl Stokes, a group of Black women leaders at the forefront of corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion work sit down to discuss the progress and setbacks they have witnessed in the past year since the murder of George Floyd, as well as the unique position they now find themselves in. They share their experiences as executives, as HR leaders, as Black women, and as mothers, and emphasize how important it is to bring their full, genuine selves to their leadership roles, and to use their influence for progress. They discuss how their roles in the movement against police brutality and systemic racism have effected them personally as well as the work they’re doing for their organizations—how they have processed their exhaustion and channeled their anger into supporting their colleagues, the ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic measures made it slightly more difficult to engage their organizations, the importance of mental health awareness and support, and the initiatives they are working with to further the goal of racial justice.

About the moderator

Cheryl Stokes (cstokes@heidrick.com) is a partner in Heidrick & Struggles’ New York office and a member of Heidrick Consulting.

Acknowledgments

Heidrick & Struggles wishes to thank Elizabeth Adefioye, CHRO, Ingredion Incorporated; Deirdre Drake, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, UScellular; Priscilla Koranteng, Vice President and Global Talent and Chief Diversity Officer, Kellogg Company; and DeRetta Cole Rhodes, Executive Vice President and Chief People Capital Officer, Atlanta Braves, for sharing their insights and experiences. Their views are personal and do not necessarily represent those of the companies they are affiliated with.