Publicis Names Ronnie Dickerson Stewart as U.S. Chief Diversity Officer

She takes over from Sandra Sims-Williams, who left Publicis last year to join Nielsen as senior vice president of diversity and inclusion. According to Publicis, Dickerson Stewart will be tasked with driving the holding company’s “diversity and inclusion culture and initiatives in the U.S.”

Dickerson Stewart previously spent more than eight years at Digitas North America, most recently as senior vice president of career advancement and inclusion. Prior to Digitas, she worked at FCB. Last year, she was the recipient of the Nancy Hill Award at the 3% Conference.

In her new role, she will report to Anne-Gabrielle Heilbronner, a member of Publicis’ management board and secretary general. She begins on Feb. 3.

“I look forward to sharing my passion for people and for this work while leading our Publicis Groupe agencies in the U.S. into our next phase of advancing our culture, diversity and inclusion efforts,” Dickerson Stewart said in a statement. “More specifically, I look forward to engaging our exceptional talent, nurturing partnerships, creating platforms and developing resources that will continue to strengthen our existing, longstanding D&I practice.”

In addition to her appointment, Publicis is forming a global diversity and inclusion steering committee to “sustain inclusiveness in the workplace.” Renetta McCann, Publicis’ chief inclusion experience officer, will lead the formation of this group.

“Publicis Groupe has always been resolutely committed to diversity and inclusion and is proud to count emblematic figures like Renetta McCann among its executives,” Heilbronner said in a statement. “As part of her outstanding career, she continues to make impressive contributions to drive inclusion and diversity inside Publicis Groupe. It’s time for us to accelerate our efforts, to get even more results, and everyone can contribute.”