Designory has solidified their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion with the addition of Denise Carter as their Global VP, Diversity and Communication. Carter, based in their Long Beach office, will be responsible for developing and leading DEI programs across Designory's global offices as well as initiating a company communications plan, both internally and externally.
“We were delighted when Denise joined our agency, and we can already feel the change that [she] is helping to make happen. We have momentum. We are making change. And yet, as we always will, we have more to do,” says Paul Hosea, CEO, Designory.
Carter has been invested in diversity, equity, and inclusion since she was a child — when she, her little sister, and their kindergarten neighbor were the only Black students in their entire elementary school. She has been a lifelong advocate for justice throughout her varied career. Carter started off working with formerly incarcerated persons transitioning back into society, and has since built up an impressive resumé in industries ranging from higher education to finance and law. An attorney and business professional, she most recently served as General Manager for the largest worldwide provider of arbitration and mediation services, and as Chief People Officer for an award-winning law firm.
Speaking about her approach to DEI, Carter says, “Diversity, equity, and inclusion is about being able to share, represent, elevate, and be celebrated for our whole selves, and about challenging and changing the systems that prevent all of us from being able to do so. Making this a fairer, more just, more equitable world isn’t a one-and-done proposition. As we evolve and grow, we improve — and then we learn and we stretch again.
“I believe that diversity, equity, and belonging are facets of organizational culture — if an organization’s culture isn’t fundamentally about fairness and doing the right thing, no amount of DEI training can rectify that.”