December 13, 2019
Sonserae Toles
Johnston, Rhode Island-based vice president, inclusion, FM Global
Baltimore-based group vice president of global talent management at T. Rowe Price
The quantifiable and qualitative impact of diversity and inclusion on the business strategy and bottom-line results of most industries is not lost on today’s business leaders. Most industries are now clear that diversity, inclusion and equity are key organizational performance differentiators that translate into competitive advantage. When diverse perspectives meet and are valued alongside others, there is a direct benefit for clients, based on the number of highly quantifiable inputs and outcomes. Today, 80% of the world’s talent source is diverse. The commercial insurance industry is clear on the importance and bottom-line relevance of being able to attract, harvest, retain, develop and advance talent across the board. I am optimistic about the future of diversity and inclusion, as it is a basic necessity, and committed to doing the work to integrate diversity and inclusion into the talent management workstream.
To ensure we are able to attract, retain and advance diverse representation in our workforce; ensure diverse employees are engaged because we, particularly as it relates to leadership competence, are skilled in the tenants of inclusivity; and to define and address potential gaps in equity.
I had the absolute honor to work under the leadership and tutelage of the late Dr. Patrick McLaurin during my tenure at Booz Allen Hamilton. I was very fortunate to be trained under one of the discipline’s foremost thought leaders. As I have grown in the field, and indeed my own professional and personal maturity, I now fully value what a privilege it was to learn from one of the best. Perhaps the biggest lesson was that learning is an eternal journey for the intellectually curious. We can learn every day and from everyone.
Be curious, not complacent. Be humble, not arrogant. Be strategic, not only transactional. Be effective, not righteous. Be committed. It is a long journey.
I would be fully focused on combatting a global challenge such as human trafficking that disproportionately affects women/girls of color.
Journalism
I am looking forward to defining the opportunities, developing strategy and working with many partners to execute. I am more and more excited as we get closer to defining metrics and measures because we have clearer and clearer focus on the opportunities.
Zilzil tibs and vegetable mesob (Ethiopian dishes)
I relish the very simple and lovely stories from Alexander McCall Smith, particularly the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.
Travel, travel, travel, travel. I am on country No. 34 and counting.
I am a bit of a news junkie. I also like British detective shows and comedies such as “Luther,” “Marcella” and “Fleabag.”
Absolutely anything with my daughter, with the exception of a game of Monopoly. She is undefeated.
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