Many companies made commitments to promote racial equality last year following the murder of George Floyd while in police custody, including by hiring and promoting Black employees and fostering a workplace culture where all employees feel welcome.
Compliance officers can help lead the change, said Kellye Gordon, vice president of ethics and compliance and legal operations at apparel and footwear company VF Corp. Their skills in engaging with company leadership, building teams from the ground up, and setting up training and awareness programs can be put to use in the drive to increase diversity and inclusion, Gordon said.