Published by HRCap, Inc. on September 25, 2024
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion leaders are the driving force behind the transformation of workplaces. These trailblazers are leading the way for meaningful, systemic change by advocating for diversity, fostering equity, and ensuring representation within their organizations.
In our latest blog series, we spotlight the “Top Diversity Leaders to Follow in 2024.” From advocates of racial equity and gender inclusivity to champions of accessibility and corporate diversity initiatives, these leaders set the standard for inclusive leadership in today’s rapidly evolving world.
Top 10 Diversity Leaders
1. Amanda Kirby
Amanda Kirby is a co-founder and CEO of DO-IT Solution, which supports neurodiverse individuals in education and employment. With a background in medicine and academia, Kirby has raised awareness about neurodiversity and developed practical solutions for inclusive practices in workplaces and schools. Through DO-IT Solution, she has spearheaded several initiatives to improve accessibility by creating tools and training programs that empower individuals and organizations alike.
Her contributions to the field of neurodiversity have earned her significant recognition, such as being included in HR Magazine’s HR Most Influential Thinkers in 2022, Engati’s 50 Unstoppable Women Leaders of Today & Tomorrow in 2022, and Inclusive Companies’ The Diversity Power List in 2022.
2. Debra Ruh
Debra Ruh serves as the CEO and Founder of Ruh Global IMPACT, which champions accessibility and social inclusion for people with disabilities worldwide. Debra's work is focused on driving social change by empowering businesses and governments to embrace disability inclusion through technology, media, and corporate responsibility. Through her efforts to change public policies and corporate strategies, she has become a leader in the intersection of business and social impact.
Debra has been recognized for her tireless efforts, earning accolades such as being named one of Dell, Bloomberg, and Intuit’s Top 75 Global Female Entrepreneurs in 2010, Virginia Business Magazine’s “Most Powerful Women in IT,” and Women in Technology’s Leadership Award Winner.
Mary-Frances Winters is the President and CEO of The Winters Group, Inc., a leading consulting firm specializing in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) strategies. She is recognized as a trailblazer in the DEIJ field, with over three decades of experience helping organizations foster inclusive cultures. Her expertise and leadership have been instrumental in guiding global companies to address systemic inequalities and create sustainable change through training, workshops, and strategic consultation.
Winters has earned several prestigious awards for her pioneering work, including the ATHENA Award, the 2023 Profiles in Diversity Journal's Black Leadership Award, and the 2024 Empowering Equitable Change Award from the University of Rochester.
4. Ray Dempsey
Ray Dempsey is the Founder and Principal of Dempsey Inclusion Group LLC, where he consults his clients on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in corporate environments. Dempsey is a seasoned diversity leader, with a wealth of experience from his tenure at BP, where he held roles in external affairs and diversity leadership. He is dedicated to fostering inclusive workplace cultures and helping organizations create environments where all employees feel valued and empowered.
Dempsey's contributions have earned him numerous recognitions, including being named one of Savoy Magazine's "2016 Top 100 Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America." He was also honored as Politic365’s 2012 "Game Changer" and received the 2013 "Best of Black Business" Award for Visionary Leadership in Energy from the American Academy of Business and Commerce, highlighting his influential role in advancing corporate diversity.
Dr. Zaheer Ahmad is the Head of Unifying Culture at BDO UK LLP, where he leads initiatives focused on creating an inclusive and cohesive organizational culture. With over two decades of experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion, Dr. Ahmad has become a prominent figure in driving cultural transformation within the corporate world. His work spans from promoting ethnic diversity to fostering broader inclusion strategies that ensure equitable opportunities for all employees.
Dr. Ahmad’s influence in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space has been recognized with numerous accolades, including being named an Inspirational D&I Leader by d&i leaders in 2024 and a Top 10 Diversity Professional by the Global Diversity List in 2023. Additionally, he was recognized as a Corporate Ally by the Pride Power List in 2024.
Tiffany R. Warren is the Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer for Sony Music Group, where she leads the company’s global efforts in creating and implementing inclusive workplace practices. Warren is a visionary leader in diversity and inclusion, with a career that spans over 20 years in advocating for greater industry representation. Before joining Sony Music, she founded ADCOLOR, a groundbreaking organization that advocates for diversity and inclusion in creative industries.
Warren’s exceptional contributions have been acknowledged with numerous prestigious awards, including being named Advertising Age Woman to Watch in 2007 and receiving the AAF Hall of Achievement Inductee honor in 2010. She was also awarded the AAF Pioneer in Diversity Award (Omnicom Group) and the National Association Black Journalists’ Patricia L. Tobin Media Professional Award in 2014.
Ryan Ruggiero is a Senior Director at CNBC and the President of the New York chapter of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA). With a focus on inclusive journalism, Ruggiero works to elevate LGBTQ+ voices and ensure fair representation in the media. His efforts at CNBC are centered around creating content that reflects the diversity of its global audience while advocating for equity within the newsroom.
Ruggiero’s leadership has earned him notable recognition, including being named on Cablefax’s Diversity List in 2022 and 2023. He was also honored with a 2019 GLAAD Media Award, showcasing his commitment to promoting LGBTQ+ representation and inclusion in journalism.
8. Cassi Mecchi
Cassi Mecchi is the Vice President of People Growth & Belonging at the Wikimedia Foundation, where he oversees efforts to cultivate an inclusive and equitable environment for employees and contributors alike. With a background in human resources and talent development, Mecchi has dedicated his career to championing diversity initiatives and fostering cultures where people feel empowered to thrive.
Mecchi has received numerous accolades, including being named an Inspirational D&I Leader by d&i leaders in 2024 and receiving the Employee Resource Group Leader of the Year Award for Latin America in 2012.
9. Lily Zheng
Lily Zheng is a highly respected Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategist and author, known for their work in helping organizations implement actionable and measurable inclusion strategies. They have worked with Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and startups to drive systemic change and create more equitable work environments.
Zheng has been named one of Forbes’ 10 Diversity And Inclusion Trailblazers You Need to Get Familiar With in 2019 and was honored with the President’s Award for Excellence Through Diversity by Stanford University in 2018. Additionally, they were recognized as a Woman of Impact by Stanford Women in Business in 2017.
10. Jamie Shields
Jamie Shields is the founder of Disabled By Society, an organization dedicated to challenging societal perceptions of disability and advocating for the rights and inclusion of disabled individuals. As an activist and advocate, Jamie works to amplify the voices of disabled people and create spaces where their stories are heard and valued. Through his leadership, Disabled By Society has grown into a recognized platform for education and advocacy, raising awareness about the barriers faced by disabled communities in various sectors.
Shields has received prestigious accolades, including being named on the 2023 Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 list. Additionally, he earned a spot on the 2023 Inclusive Employers Diversity Power List, reflecting his dedication to advancing disability rights and inclusion.
Conclusion
The Top 10 Diversity Leaders featured in this list exemplify the power of inclusive leadership in shaping a better future. Their dedication to fostering diversity, promoting equity, and building inclusive environments continues to revolutionize industries and inspire professionals across the globe. By pushing the boundaries of traditional corporate cultures, these leaders are not only transforming policies but are also inspiring the next generation of diversity advocates.
Source: HRCap, Cablefax, Do-IT Profiler, g3ict, SONY, LinkedIn, National Urban League, RuhGlobal
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