New FleishmanHillard Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer: We Need Substantive Change

[Editor’s Note: As part of our series of interviews with senior PR pros in new positions, we spoke recently with Emily Graham, who was named FleishmanHillard’s first chief diversity and inclusion officer June 17, 2020. Graham’s appointment was the first major action resulting from a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) plan that CEO/president John Saunders announced two days prior.

Graham will report to Saunders and J.J. Carter, COO. She’ll work alongside a global DEI task force to “analyze recruitment, retention, compensation, training and development opportunities for colleagues,” according to a FleishmanHillard announcement. She also will lead True Mosaic, a global community of multicultural counselors at the firm who will offer DEI input to clients, the company and the industry.

Graham has served on FleishmanHillard’s leadership cabinet for two years and co-led the financial and professional services sector group for the Americas. PRNEWS honored her as a Top Woman in PR this year and Crain’s NY Business named her a 40 Under 40 honoree. Before joining FleishmanHillard in 2017, Graham held senior positions at MWWPR and Burson-Marsteller. Her edited remarks are below.]

PRNEWS: Normally we’d ask about your priorities in this new position.