Havas Worldwide is taking the next step in its plan to address systemic racism within the holding company.
Havas has appointed its inaugural North America Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee. The nine-member committee will work alongside Havas global chief talent officer Patti Clarke to oversee diversity, equity and inclusion strategy and initiatives, integrate such efforts across Havas and ensure the seven commitments in Havas’ Commit to Change plan are met. The committee will also be tasked with guiding the North America track of Havas’ global diversity, equity and inclusion program, Havas All In, which launched in 2018 and focuses on initiatives around age, disability, ethnic and cultural representation, gender equality, LGBTQ+ inclusion, wellness and more.
“As a leader in the industry, Havas is in a unique position to impact the industry and influence society while also creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment for our employees,” Clarke said in a statement. “We felt it was incredibly important to have this group of senior leaders come together to share their unique perspectives and insights while also ensuring that our ambitious North American DEI strategies, programs, and actions become a reality.”
The committee is comprised of senior leaders across creative, health and media practices, who represent the Black, Asian, Hispanic and LGBTQ+ communities within Havas.
Here is the list of inaugural committee members:
●Julianna Akuamoah, chief talent officer, Arnold & Havas Media Boston
● Elena Grasmann, managing director, Havas New York
● Lina Kim, vp of planning and innovation, Havas Canada
● Cris Morton, group president, Havas Health & You (Havas Health +,
Hematology/Oncology Village, Havas San Francisco, Havas Health
Toronto, Havas Mango)
● Sargi Mann, evp and head of digital strategy & investments, Havas
Media New York
● Jorge Plasencia, CEO, Republica Havas
● Liz Roche, managing director/head of strategy, Havas Helia Chicago
● Scott Tucker, evp, director of client services, H4B Chelsea (New York)
● Blake Winfree, group creative director, Havas Chicago
Havas’ Commit to Change plan will be a major focus for the committee. The plan was unveiled last month along with the release of Havas’ EEOC diversity data in the U.S. and includes goals and accountability measures paired with its commitment to data transparency. Other commitments include an apprenticeship program, rethinking its recruiting practices, creating management development programs for employees of color, ensuring payment equity and mandatory education programs.
In addition to announcing the creation of the committee, Havas also addressed this last point, rolling out the initial phase of its mandatory education courses for U.S. employees. While initially focused on the U.S., Havas said in a statement that some of the measures in its Commit to Change plan will potentially be scaled globally.
