Forbes Feature: Diversity As A CEO Priority During This Singular Time In Our History

Edie Fraser and WBC Board Member Robert Reiss talk about the importance of Diversity for today's CEOs in Robert's latest Forbes article. Read an excerpt below.

As I speak with CEOs every day, so many are truly pained and deeply want racial harmony. In considering the state of diversity today, I thought it would make sense to talk with one leader who has a history of building true movements: Edie Fraser, CEO, Women Business Collaborative. Edie has already built Million Women Mentors (MWM) with 2.5 million commitments.

Robert Reiss: Talk about diversity today.

Edie Fraser: Robert,  Diversity is a number one issue for the private sector, right up there with return on investments and CEO Leadership.  This moment is singular and provides an opportunity to create sustainable change. The time is NOW! Platitudes are no longer acceptable. Talent is key and so, too, are investments in diverse suppliers and our communities. I was engaged in the civil rights movement early and  have spent my career working to accelerate the position of women and minorities in business. It has been nearly only 17 months since we founded Women Business Collaborative (WBC) together as a non-profit, focusing on increasing parity and power and with it 25% advancement of diversity changes in every action initiative taken. The private sector’s awareness of the disparities in corporate America have only heightened in 2020. It is business that is showing courage to take action, and the private sector must ACT NOW!

Focus on the importance of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) on our economy and our national wellbeing. COVID-19 and the recession combined with tensions over the continued racism in America have created an unprecedented economic and human crises and highlighted inequities further fueling unrest. In corporate America, our CEOs and Chief Diversity Officers (CDOs) and CHROs are crucial to successfully navigating the current social challenges along with the others in the Executive Suite. Bottom up and top down, all  must work together to change what has been the status quo. We want results.

Read the full article on Forbes here.