Glocap Search Creates Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Practice, Names Practice Head
October 1, 2020 – With research proving that companies with more ethnically and culturally diverse teams increase their productivity, reduce turnover and inch up profits, Glocap Search has, in response, created a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practice. The firm has hired HR industry veteran Elisa Leary as managing director and head of the new practice.
“We are extremely excited to have a professional of Elisa’s caliber join our firm,” said Annette Krassner, CEO of Glocap. “She is the perfect fit for our Glocap team and our clients. She will contribute greatly to the advancement of diversity, equity and inclusion in all the industries we service.”
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!
With a focus on research and data, Glocap’s DEI practice will provide clients with support, education, actionable strategy and a consistent slate of diverse candidates for all roles. Elizabeth Clark Zoia, who heads business development for the firm, will work closely with Ms. Leary in building the practice.
“Since 1997, we have been a trusted advisor to many of the best investment management firms and multi-industry partners with our hands-on approach,” said Ms. Krassner. “In order to be a better partner to our clients, and looking inward at our own firm, we feel the time is right to launch this important initiative.”
“What sets us apart from other firms who provide diversity, equity and inclusion strategy is that we can also provide the pipeline of talent,” said Adam Zoia, founder of Glocap. “Given that many industries we cover have not yet made great strides with DEI, we wanted a practice head who hails from an industry that is further along. We also wanted a leader who is results oriented and pragmatic given the entrepreneurial nature of our client base – in Elisa we found both.”
Related: Leaders International Launches Diversity and Indigenous Board Practice
“Under her leadership and with the full support of our entire company, we aim to help our clients effectuate change, build a pipeline of diverse talent for current and future leadership positions and establish metrics and goals along the way,” Mr. Zoia said. “If in the future we can look back and say that Glocap played a role in helping our industry become a leader in DEI we will consider it a major milestone.”
Accomplished Diversity Leader
“Our approach is to meet our clients where they are,” says Ms. Leary. “We can achieve success with commitment, honest conversation, education, research and data providing the facts to lead the way, and most importantly – true accountability once a DEI strategy is in place.”
Ms. Leary is an accomplished diversity, equity and inclusion HR leader with a proven global track record in creating and executing diversity, equity and inclusion strategies. With over 25 years of experience, she has utilized her human resources expertise to guide organizations through cultural and organizational effectiveness.
Related: Recruiters Up Their Game in Diversity
Most recently, Ms. Leary served as vice president of diversity and inclusion talent strategy at Macy’s Inc. In that role, she led in advancing and increasing ethnic diversity within senior management. Prior to that, she was with Avon, where led international initiatives in cultural integration and direction in Asia, Latin America and the European markets. Ms. Leary’s experience encompasses a variety of disciplines within the HR industry, including talent management, organizational development, talent acquisition and digital/ e-commerce.
As Women Gain Seats on Boards, Minorities Fall Back
This past year, boards around the world were facing a range of competing expectations for the new members they would add in order to meet their ever-growing remit.
According to Heidrick & Struggles’ 2020 Board Monitor, modern boards are expected to possess significant expertise in areas as specialized and diverse as digital transformation, cybersecurity, corporate reputation management, sustainability and social media, to name just a few, as well as to include significant diversity in terms of gender, racial and ethnic background, and national origin, among other characteristics. Beyond adding specific expertise, it’s widely accepted that more diverse teams make better decisions.
Ms. Leary has also been recognized by Black Enterprise Magazine, which distinguished her as one of the top corporate executives for diversity and inclusion. She has also been featured in Forbes magazine as one of the “top female leaders to watch” for her commitment to innovation, education and diversity and inclusion.
Established in 1997, Glocap Search serves the specialized recruiting needs of clients in various industries with a concentration in investment management. The firm has made over 20,000 placements since its founding. Glocap’s partners with select private equity funds, hedge funds, investment banks, fund of funds, consulting firms, real estate, media and entertainment, and other industry clients to fulfill their needs across functional areas. Glocap has a specialized teams of search consultants who place investment, marketing, compliance, human resources, accounting, operations and legal professionals as well as COOs, CFOs, bankers, consultants and administrative assistants.
Related: To Improve Diversity, Recruiting Sector Must Set a New Course
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
