Christopher Group Tapped by HarperCollins to Recruit VP Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

July 31, 2020 – Thomas Christopher, Pam Noble and Matthew Duda of The Christopher Group have been enlisted by HarperCollins Publishers to find a VP of diversity, equity and inclusion. “The Christopher Group is honored to be partnering with one of the top publishing companies as they look to build and embrace all aspects of their growing business,” said Ms. Noble. “This is a unique opportunity for this new role to be a part of the leadership team and to build the diversity, equity and inclusion practice from the ground up.”

The vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion will be charged with leading and advising the company on diversity and inclusion initiatives and creating a strategy/vision that aligns with HarperCollins’ values and culture. This is a newly created role that will be a part of HarperCollins Publishers’ New York executive committee. “This is an exciting opportunity to enact meaningful change in the company as well as the industry at large,” The Christopher Group said.

2020 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Recruiting Report:
Building a Balanced and Diverse Workforce

Hunt Scanlon Media’s latest market intelligence recruiting report – this time focused on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – will be available later this fall! The nation’s top executive recruiters are resetting expectations and looking for new ways forward to build balanced and diverse workforce teams for their clients.

According to executive recruiters, DE&I should not just be a priority, but an integrated part of every company’s leadership goals. Some companies have even tied DE&I metrics to executive compensation. But it’s more than that.

Part of building strong, diverse hiring teams means asking yourself: “Who is my company culture going to attract – and how will it engage people who are here?” This question can be very difficult to answer if you assume everyone feels welcome already just because you do. Fostering diversity, equity and inclusion within organizations is more than just the right ethical decision. “It is one of the best business decisions a company can make,” said Keri Gavin, a partner with Hanold Associates and leader of the search firm’s Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion practice. Hanold Associates is a proud sponsor of this year’s report. This report will help organizations prioritize DE&I as a business imperative that drives greater competitiveness, innovation and business results. Get it now! 

“We are looking for a thought leader that will integrate the DE&I strategy into the business strategy to impact and effect cultural change while addressing each of the stakeholders needs,” said Ms. Noble. “We have casted a wide net to find the candidate who brings the critical skills necessary. Every TCG search has a 20 business day cycle.”

Walking the Walk

Many of the nation’s top executive search firms have been redoubling their efforts in the diversity, equity and inclusion space – with many resetting expectations and looking for new ways forward to build balanced and diverse workforce teams for their clients.

A growing number of them are spending 2020 refocusing and building new DE&I platforms. Chief among them, in addition to The Christopher Group: Hanold Associates HR & Diversity Executive Search (the firm renamed itself earlier this month to better reflect its brand and expertise in the area), Wilton & Bain, Frederickson Partners, Heidrick & Struggles, Slone Partners, Caldwell, and Bridge Partners. Korn Ferry, the nation’s largest recruiter, recently named Michael Hyter as that company’s new chief diversity officer. He will report directly to CEO Gary Burnison and join the senior executive team. “I’m thrilled Mike is assuming the role of chief diversity officer,” said Mr. Burnison. “He is the right person, at the right time to further our embrace of diverse perspectives and backgrounds and drive meaningful change within Korn Ferry and with clients.”

According to executive recruiters, DE&I should not just be a priority, but an integrated part of every company’s leadership goals. Some organizations, they said, have even tied DE&I metrics to executive compensation. Part of building strong, diverse hiring teams means asking yourself: ‘Who is my company culture going to attract – and how will it engage people who are here?’ This question, said recruiters, can be very difficult to answer if one assumes everyone feels welcome already just because one person in a top role might.

Fostering diversity, equity and inclusion within organizations is more than just the right ethical decision. “It is one of the best business decisions a company can make,” said Keri Gavin, a partner with Hanold Associates and leader of the search firm’s global diversity, equity & inclusion practice.

HarperCollins Publishers is the second-largest consumer book publisher in the world and has nearly 4,000 employees working across the globe to propel authors forward in the ever-changing world of publishing. Headquartered in New York, HarperCollins has publishing operations in 17 countries. With two hundred years of history and more than 120 branded imprints around the world, HarperCollins publishes about 10,000 new books every year in 16 languages and has a print and digital catalog of more than 200,000 titles.

Interestingly, Ms. Noble joined The Christopher Group leadership team herself as chief human resources officer (CHRO) and managing partner in June. She has over 25 years of comprehensive human resources leadership to the firm. “Pam brings a global, diverse and very progressive HR perspective to TCG,” said Mr. Christopher. “She is passionate about building world-class HR capabilities, has exceptional executive assessment skills, and can help organizations develop outstanding HR solutions for real business problems.” Previously, Ms. Noble was senior vice president of human resources and chief engagement officer at Asurint.

Related: To Improve Diversity, Recruiting Sector Must Set a New Course

“I have had the privilege of knowing Pam for over 20 years,” said Mr. Christopher. “She is one of the finest and most capable HR executives nationwide. Additionally, her expertise in the areas of culture, change management, diversity, equity and inclusion, and executive coaching is truly outstanding. Finally, she is a true servant leader.”

Diversity & Inclusion

Hunt Scanlon Media recently spoke with Mr. Christopher on why a diverse and inclusive workforce is overall better for business and the company culture. “Diversity and inclusion lead to innovation, creativity, and change,” he said. “When you bring together individuals from different backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, orientations, religions, socio-economic, disabilities, and so on they create an environment of exploration. Ultimately, a diverse organization leads to new ways of working, building organizations to solve and create better technology, solutions and ideas.”

The Christopher Group recently helped recruit diversity and inclusion executives for Corning Community College, dosist, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Kraft Heinz and Life Technologies, among others.

When asked what do top diversity and inclusion executives bring to organizations, Mr. Christopher said, “They work with the leadership team to integrate the DEI strategy into the high-level business strategy. They are intentional about the development of their culture from onboarding to retirement. Diversity and inclusion executives are there to create an environment of belonging – creating an organization that values the differences – looking at the behaviors and cultural nuances that make it a place where people want to work – bringing their authentic self to the office.”

Founded in 1998 by Tom and Paula Christopher (former HR executives with GE, Pepsi, Progressive Insurance and Citigroup), The Christopher Group is a leading boutique HR executive search and staffing solutions firms. It is a highly specialized organization, staffed by former HR professionals and highly trained search practitioners who use proprietary, scientific and industry-leading systems, tools and processes. Its client list includes some of the world’s most respected companies across all industries and verticals.

Related: The Christopher Group Places CHRO for American Society of Health-System Pharmacists

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor  – Hunt Scanlon Media