FEI: making the business case for diversity.

• Author: Hollein, Marie N.
• Position: FROM THE PRESIDENT - Financial Executives International - Conference news

Earlier this year, I was invited to FEI chapters in Boston, Detroit and Dallas to engage in discussions about one of the critical issues of the day, and one of particular professional interest to me and our organization--creating a more diverse and inclusive environment in the C-suite, as well as the workplace as a whole.

We met with chapter leaders and local business leaders and participated in spirited and productive discussions that focused on the business case for diversity and inclusion programs. Corporate success stories were highlighted, though we also acknowledged some gaps that we've seen in other areas, in the United States as well as in Europe.

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I was impressed by the efforts so many of our members are making to genuinely lead in this area. Many have picked up the baton. Though these efforts have been ongoing over the past years, FEI has made a decision to consistently promote these issues nationally.

For example, the April event, sponsored by the Dallas Chapter, featured leaders from J.C. Penney Co. Inc., the Chamber of Commerce and KPMG speaking about the strides they've made in bringing greater diversity to their organizations--a reflection on what works and what still needs to be done--in terms of gender, race, culture and more.

Kelley Johnson, manager Inclusion & Diversity for J.C. Penny, discussed how diversity and inclusion must be knitted into the very fabric of an organization. It can't be an afterthought, or treated blithely. J.C. Penney has been identified as a top company for diversity in the Diversitylnc magazine's 2011 Diversitylnc Top 50 Companies for Diversity.

KPMG has made significant progress in recent years by elevating its representation of women partners, which now stands at about 15 percent of the partnership.

Additionally, we're doing all that we can at FEI to put our words into action by working to enhance the networking, advocacy and leadership that not only defines our organization, but leads to more inclusive environments that can help companies to achieve their full potential.

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