Page 138 - Powerlist 2020

J.P.MORGAN

Creating a culture that

attracts and retains the best

talent requires intentional

and inclusive actions – as

well as greater diversity of

the entire organisation

TIA COUNTS together, we are embedding inclusive hiring practices and
Head of Advancing Black Leaders for the Global behaviours every day, from the top of the firm throughout
Corporate & Investment Bank and Europe, Middle East all levels – it’s fundamental in helping us attract the best
and Africa region, J.P. Morgan Chase talent and nurture the talent that’s already at the firm. At J.P.
Morgan, we know that creating an atmosphere of inclusion
What was your first reaction when you learned that the happens because our managers at all levels are intentional
Advancing Black Leaders (ABL) diversity strategy about taking steps towards this desired outcome.
would be implemented in the region?
I was excited! The ABL strategy was wholly What do you consider the greatest
accepted and supported by senior leaders successes to have been?
within the firm and was already seeing Our greatest success may very well be
promising early results. While I realised the engagement across the region
there were certain regional nuances – several groups and leaders are
that we’d need to address – like the energetically sharing accountability
use of the term ‘black’ and how that to help drive the strategy, acting
can be received in this region – I was with intentional inclusion and an
thrilled that the firm was making a eye on top talent. Since launching
more global commitment to better ABL last year, we’re seeing positive
attract and hire more top black talent and promising results, building on the
while retaining and developing the top strong foundation from different efforts,
talent that we already have. senior leader engagement, and ongoing,
dedicated actions of many other employees.
How did it come about that an ABL office was
established for the region? And the greatest challenge?
Jamie Dimon, our Chairman and CEO, felt strongly that local Building on our culture to make it even more inclusive. At
ownership and accountability for the strategy would help us J.P. Morgan we have so many leaders who understand that
accelerate the change we were looking to make in EMEA and it’s important to stay focused and make sure that we are
he charged the senior leaders in the region to find potential reaching all levels of the organisation. We’re also fortunate
candidates to own and drive the ABL strategy. that our focus on inclusion is shared by many companies in
the financial services industry.
Now that you’ve been in the role for about a year, what is the
most important thing that you have learned so far? Why is a Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) strategy so important
That inclusive actions, along with top and down commitment, to J.P. Morgan Chase?
are a required component of success. As I’ve focused on As we have long maintained, having a focus on diversity and
driving the ABL pillars – to attract, hire, retain and advance inclusion is simply good business practice.
top black talent – I’ve also focused on the other part of that
strategy; that is, to promote leadership excellence at all levels. What’s next in the region for ABL?
I knew I would also have to deliver a level of excellence that In the next phase, we will continue to focus on our talent
would not only inspire others, but motivate senior leaders and pipeline, starting with interns, where we nearly doubled the
influencers to join me in this effort. And I am proud to say that intake from black and minority ethnic communities in 2019.

138 Powerlist 2020