Council Welcomes New Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Chairs

The Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee this week (Sept. 9) announced the appointment to new co-chairs, including Jed York, CEO of the San Francisco 49ers; Lady Idos, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Lawrence Berkeley National Labs; and Jonathan Mayes, Senior Vice President, External Affairs & Chief Diversity officer at Safeway/Albertsons. State Treasurer Fiona Ma also led an engaging discussion with Mellody Hobson from Ariel Investments, Stacie Olivares from CalPERS, and Grace Reyes from The Investment Diversity Exchange on increasing diversity on corporate boards. Another panel discussion explored Proposition 16 on the November ballot. The Committee extends its deep gratitude to outgoing co-chairs Peg McAllister of LHH, Stuart Newton of Deloitte, and Chris Ruhl of PwC, all three of whom will remain engaged with the Committee. 

In the discussion Ma led, Hobson, Olivares and Reyes talked about the importance of diversifying boards and the obstacles that continue to exist. “The companies that aren’t diverse are committing corporate suicide,” said Hobson. “Not only is diversity great for a company’s bottom line, it is also the right ethical move.”

The Committee also hosted a discussion with Walter Wilson, CEO of the Silicon Valley Minority Business Consortium; Nicole Derse, Principal & Co-Founder of 50+1 Strategies; Annie Eagan, Founder of Annie Eagan Consulting, on Proposition 16 on the November ballot.

Prop. 16, which the Bay Area Council has endorsed, proposes to undo Proposition 209, a measure that voters approved in 1996 banning the consideration of race, sex or ethnicity in public employment, education or contracting. The discussion highlighted the negative effects of Prop. 209 and how it has created barriers in hiring people of color. To learn more about Prop. 16, visit Yes on Prop 16.

To learn more and get involved in the Gender, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, please contact Policy Associate Leslie Alfaro.