President’s Corner
April 2012
The topic of diversity spans a variety of issues including the representation of diverse professionals on public, private and non-profit boards. We know that institutional stakeholders have been vocal about the merits of and need for increased board diversity. Toigo has identified a meaningful way to participate in this agenda, by providing a way for under-represented professionals (inclusive of women) to present their professionals skills and interests for board. Our board diversity initiative, All A Board includes an online tool that serves as a resource for public and private companies, non-profits, search firms or nominating committees to identify potential candidates who may not be on their radar based on previous conventional channels. It’s the only tool of its type that specifically features diverse, up and coming talent. The Foundation has added a portal to this website that provides thought leadership and will eventually offer training sessions that will be available on a national basis. “Creating a bigger talent pool of board-qualified minority candidates is only half the battle. The other half involves increasing the demand for minority directors. Sims reiterates what has become a popular refrain in arguing for increased female participation on boards, as well as increased minority participation: that greater diversity of thought and talent on a board drives better results.”
Recently the Foundation was awarded a grant from the Kellogg Foundation, payable over two years of $100,000 to expand the tool in keeping with the Foundation’s two year development plan.
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