MBA Leadership Luncheon: Darlene Slaughter (Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer, United Way Worldwide)

MBA Leadership Luncheons: Get face time with executives at some of Washington, D.C.'s most sought-after firms and agencies. Enjoy an intimate conversation with visionaries from the public and private sectors at these standing lunch appointments. Network in a relaxed atmosphere and gain a unique chance to seek counsel from those at the top of their fields. This weekly series will feature a new speaker each week. The idea of the luncheons is to bring in leaders from the private, public, and nonprofit sectors to interact with our MBA students in an informal environment.

Join us for our August 31st speaker: Darlene Slaughter is the Chief Diversity Officer of the United Way. From PR News Wire: "Slaughter is leading efforts to expedite and advance US diversity and inclusion strategies, partnerships and initiatives working closely with community-based United Ways, as well as corporate and community partners.

'Darlene is a proven leader in integrating accountability and strategic focus to improve diversity and inclusion in the workforce,' said Stacey D. Stewart, U.S. President, United Way Worldwide. 'We're excited to tap into the expertise and experience Darlene brings from the corporate sector to effectively lead United Way's continuing efforts to build a stronger workplace that values equal opportunities for all.'

Prior to joining United Way Worldwide, Slaughter served as the Principal Consultant and Chair of Linkage's Institute for Leading Diversity and Inclusion where she trained corporate leaders on developing and leading diversity and inclusion initiatives in the workplace. Before Linkage, she led an integrated strategy to utilize and support the talents at Fannie Mae and designed the first Executive Diversity Council as its Chief Diversity Officer.

'My vision and also a challenge as the Chief Diversity Officer at United Way Worldwide is to come up with a strategy that is simple yet comprehensive and relevant to all United Way markets,' said Slaughter. 'I want to create synergy by connecting the marketplace, employees and affinity groups to uplift the work that United Way is doing to build strong communities across the nation.'

Slaughter's work in diversity and inclusion has been recognized in various ways. She has won many awards and honors including SAVOY's 2012 Top 100 Influential Women in Corporate America, Profiles in Diversity Journal's list of Women Worth Watching, Black Enterprises' Top Executives in Diversity and Heart & Soul's Women of Substances in Finance. She is also a frequent speaker on topics such as changing management, women's initiatives, financial literacy, leadership development and concepts on diversity and inclusion.

Slaughter holds a M.S. in Human Resource Management and Organizational Development from American University and a B.S. in Elementary Education from Howard University." (Source: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/darlene-slaughter-joins-united-way-worldwide-as-chief-diversity-officer-300025917.html)