In her role as Senior Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, LaToya is the ideal spokesperson to provide insight into DEI at Macmillan.
Who are you and what do you do in your company?
My name is LaToya Rose, Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Macmillan Publishers. I am charged with leading, expanding and reinforcing the organization’s DEI efforts.
What does diversity, equity and inclusion mean to you and why is that important to you?
Diversity, equity and inclusion means equal access and opportunity for our employees and diverse and balanced perspectives for our content. DEI is important to me because it’s simply the right thing to do!
Can you describe a specific instance or initiative within the company that demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion?
The establishment of the central DEI team and the empowerment I was given to lead our organization through this process shows the ultimate commitment. Our organization’s goal is to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in the content we produce, the authors we work with and the talent we acquire, retain and develop. We are intentional about embedding diversity, equity and inclusion in the fabric of our organization in an effective and sustainable way.
What are diversity, equity and inclusion issues that are most important to you and why?
As a woman of color, all diversity, equity and inclusion issues are important to me. My desire is to be treated with respect and equality. I truly believe in order for me to grow to my fullest potential it is crucial that I am in an environment where my diverse perspective is not only valued and appreciated, but seen as a strength.
What steps has the company taken to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for employees from different backgrounds?
We create initiatives that are effective and sustainable and can be implemented in our day to day work. Our approach has always been to be authentic in our efforts and to steer away from performative or “surface-level activism.” Our initiatives include:
Strengthening our foundation - Ensuring our efforts are effective and sustainable, we continuously identify all areas where we have an opportunity for change. From our people to the books we publish, we are auditing the foundation of our company, reviewing each of our policies and procedures, to embed DEI into each one.
Establishing Company Values - At Macmillan, values are not just learned, they’re lived. We work collectively to enhance our culture while reaching — and then surpassing — our business and profitability goals in a manner consistent with these values
Maintain Productive Dialogue - Our community consists of individuals who are not only passionate about the stories we tell, but also passionate about contributing to an inclusive culture. We take the time to understand, talk, and debate, but most importantly, we are continuing to listen. We still have a long way to go, but today we are stronger because of it.
We Think Beyond Ourselves - We provide opportunities to various communities with initiatives such as company-matching donation programs, sponsorships and fellowships and community service.