Desautels announces first director of equity, diversity and inclusion
The Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University has appointed Professor Lisa Cohen as its first Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Cohen brings to this role almost 20 years of experience teaching organizational behaviour to future business leaders across the world. Having focused much of her career on diversity and organizational structure, Professor Cohen advocates for business schools to lead positive change through their access to organizations throughout the world.
The professor of organizational behaviour is a passionate advocate for fairness and equity for all, with a primary interest in advancing diversity and inclusion in organizations.
“We are delighted to appoint Professor Lisa Cohen as our first Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion,” said Dean Isabelle Bajeux-Besnainou of the Desautels Faculty of Management. “With this appointment, we are moving equity, diversity and inclusion deeper into our strategic vision. We recognize that a strategic focus on diversity is a key step toward creating an environment that fosters continuous growth for all.”
“Professor Cohen’s commitment to these values in both her personal and professional life makes her a powerful advocate for change within our Faculty,” Dean Bajeux-Besnainou added.
“My mission in this role is to understand and address systemic racism and inequalities that exist within Desautels and society at large. This important and sometimes difficult work is vital to embedding the values of equity, diversity and inclusion within our Faculty’s culture and practices,” said Cohen.
As part of the first phase of her directorship, Cohen is assembling a working group and task forces comprised of students, professors, administrative staff and alumni to head different initiatives. The groups will consider a range of issues and opportunities within the Faculty, including the student experience, programs, curriculum, academic and administrative staff, and alumni engagement.
“By including individuals from diverse positions, backgrounds and perspectives across our teams, Desautels will be better informed and better able to create meaningful actions,” she added.
As she settles into her new role, the recently appointed director will focus on listening to the community. With the support of her working group and task forces, Cohen will undertake a thorough review of the representation and experiences of racialized and historically disadvantaged members of the Desautels community to identify gaps and determine initial priorities.
Following the review, Cohen will develop a strategic plan that addresses systemic racism and inequality and creates a welcoming and inclusive culture based on accountability and transparency. This strategic plan will be aligned with McGill’s institutional strategy for equity diversity and inclusion.
Cohen stresses that her intention is not to provide a quick fix, but rather to address systemic issues at the root of the problem: in the practices and structures that uphold systemic racism and discrimination.
As part of her posting, Cohen will serve on the Faculty’s leadership team to ensure equity, diversity and inclusion are embedded in its strategic planning, programs, research and organizational practices.
Before joining the Desautels Faculty of Management in 2010, Cohen held assistant professor and lecturer appointments at leading institutions such as the Yale School of Management and the London School of Business. She also provided human resource and management consultancy to improve organizations’ potential through their people.