photo by steed media service

Managing diversity initiatives is in many ways an ongoing process. There are always new avenues to explore, new programs to be implemented and old ones to be tweaked. Monica Ross, director of diversity and inclusion for Sony, helps to navigate those waters for one of the largest brands in the world. “I have the responsibility of leading an integrated diversity strategy across Sony Electronics,” she explains. “We [ensure] diversity initiatives for various functions — including marketing, sales, [and]community affairs — and driving organizational growth.”

The San Francisco native has been with Sony for four years and appreciates the company’s progressive approach to diversity. “We are doing an integrated approach,” she explains. “We are not compartmentalizing diversity. What we’re saying is diversity has implications in every part of the business. I do know that many organizations have a diversity marketing focus, but I don’t know how integrated those efforts are with their community efforts or their sales efforts.”

Ross has 17 years of success in corporate America, including tenures at PepsiCo and Verizon International, and she credits her enthusiasm for the profession itself for her achievements. “I have always been a huge proponent of being really focused on what it is that you really want,” she shares. “You want to start off with the industry that you want to be in. Over the course of your career, you [can] do so many things, but start with the industry that gets you excited.” -todd williams

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