Stanton Chase Names Diversity & Inclusion Practice Leader
May 12, 2017 – Leaders at the best companies know that diversity matters. Not only are the firms that pay attention to such matters rewarded with better financial returns, but they gain perspectives and insights that would otherwise be lost to them.
Well aware of this trend, Stanton Chase International has appointed Becky Heidesch as a director and North American diversity & inclusion practice leader. In this capacity, Ms. Heidesch will work with all of the firm’s North American offices, focusing on senior level women and diverse executive placements. In addition to her practice group specializations in financial services, technology and consumer products, she brings vast experience from the sports, entertainment and higher education industries.
“It is a distinct pleasure to have Becky join Stanton Chase,” said Daniel Casteel, managing director of the Nashville office and vice president of North America. “Stanton Chase is an advocate for diversity & inclusion. As we support our clients, it is important to have diversity in the C-suite and on boards.”
He said diversity & inclusion initiatives give the firm’s clients a competitive edge as they move into domestic and international markets. “Becky’s experience will be a great asset to Stanton Chase as we continue to identify and introduce executives who are leading our client companies into the future.”
Previously, Ms. Heidesch founded and was CEO of WSS Executive Search, a women and diversity owned recruiting firm. During the past decade, she built WSS into a nationally recognized firm that places senior level talent across multiple industries with a strong specialty in financial services, banking, technology, consumer products and sports. Ms. Heidesch and her team have completed search assignments with many of the nation’s Fortune 500 companies and extending into private industry and non-profit sectors.
Key Activities to Drive Diversity and Inclusion Strategies
While diversity and inclusion initiatives have become a ‘must-have’ for 21st century employers, successful ones are often contingent upon having a clear plan and framework that resonates with diverse talent and aligns with overall business goals.
A Business Imperative
A female entrepreneur for over 20 years prior to search, Ms. Heidesch founded several women and diverse-related businesses, including a women’s sports marketing agency, which published the Women’s Sports Wire. She and her team also launched two diversity related online career centers. Her career path has encompassed a variety of roles spanning higher education, sports marketing, consumer product goods, human resources and eventually executive search.
“I’m excited and honored to be joining Stanton Chase in this capacity, said Ms. Heidesch. “I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues. The entrepreneurial and boutique nature of the global offices here is a perfect platform for us to continue to lead the way in this important work. Our goal will be to expand our diversity & inclusion efforts in all of the practice groups, both in North America and globally.”
“Diversity & inclusion has been a business imperative at Stanton Chase for many years,” said Mickey Matthews, Stanton Chase chairman and managing director of the firm’s Baltimore office. “There are many ceilings still to break and that is why the addition of Becky Heidesch is a game-changer for us. She understands this issue from multi-generational, market and cultural sensitivity perspectives. Becky seamlessly relates to her clients and helps them meet these challenges.”
Contributed by Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor, Hunt Scanlon Media
