WittKieffer Launches Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Service and Names Practice Leader
January 26, 2022 – Oak Brook-IL-based WittKieffer has launched a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) suite of services and named Philip Burton as the practice’s leader. “The introduction of these services further advances WittKieffer’s commitment to placing and developing qualified, diverse executive leaders in the industries in which the company serves and helping clients to create and maintain leadership cultures that are inclusive and equitable,” the search firm said. “WittKieffer is proud to be a leader in supporting its client organizations in their diversity, equity and inclusion goals and initiatives,” said Andrew Chastain, president and CEO of WittKieffer. “Launching our DEI services is another sign of our firm’s continued commitment toward helping clients hire and develop diverse leaders who can make meaningful, positive change within their organizations, throughout their communities and society. We are thrilled to welcome Philip Burton as DEI leader and know that his expertise and passion for creating a better, more inclusive world will be an invaluable resource for our clients and the entire WittKieffer team.”
The new DEI services enhance WittKieffer’s leadership solutions, supporting clients in their efforts to transform their organizations and their communities. These new services include organizational implicit bias training and multicultural coaching. Organizational implicit bias training facilitates exploration of individual biases that may affect decision making, judgments, and interpersonal interactions, and equips participants with behavioral strategies to identify and mitigate the harmful impact of bias on behavior. Multicultural coaching is designed for executives and emphasizes the awareness of and respect for differences among individuals. The content of these services was developed in partnership with a team of highly trained business psychologists at the St. Louis-based firm CMA Global. WittKieffer plans to expand its DEI offerings in the coming months.
New Diversity Professional
Based in Chicago, Mr. Burton brings experience in healthcare and diversity leadership consulting to his role. As head of WittKieffer’s DE&I services, he will be expected to ensure that diversity-related initiatives are integrated into all aspects of WittKieffer’s executive search and leadership consulting services.
Mr. Burton previously served as managing director at healthcare-focused consulting firm The Exeter Group, where he helped transition the organization’s focus from executive search to broader healthcare consulting and organizational development services. Additionally, Mr. Burton is active in several healthcare leadership associations. He has served as a board member for the National Association of Health Services Executives, is co-chair for the Chicago Health Executive Forum’s DEI committee, and is affiliated with the American College of Healthcare Executives, the National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives, the American Hospital Association’s Institute for Diversity and Health Equity, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.
Related: WittKieffer Assists UConn in Landing New Chief Diversity Officer
“Diversity, equity and inclusion are sources of strength and differentiating factors for today’s leading organizations. WittKieffer has supported its clients for decades in building diverse, dynamic leadership teams,” said Mr. Burton. “The launch of a dedicated DEI suite of services expands our capabilities in recruiting diversity leaders and fostering diverse, inclusive workplaces at our client organizations. Further, we will expand our own internal efforts to be a firm that lives by the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion and strives to be a model organization with exemplary practices and processes.”
WittKieffer assists hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, medical schools, and physician groups; biotech, pharmaceutical, diagnostics and medical device companies; colleges and universities, and not-for-profit community service and cultural organizations with senior administrative recruiting assignments. With more than 100 search professionals nationwide, its consultants recruit CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CNOs, physician executives and other leaders.
WittKieffer was recently called in by Syracuse University to lead its search for a new vice president for diversity and inclusion. Leading the assignment are consultant Christine J. Pendleton, senior associate Sandra Chu and senior partner Robin Mamlet. “The vice president for diversity and inclusion will serve as a leader within the campus community to identify and propose solutions to ensure the university continues to advance academic excellence at a university welcoming to all,” said WittKieffer.
Related: WittKieffer Seeking Chief Diversity Officer for Brandeis University
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
