The Society for Human Resource Management, the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) and Vista Equity Partners have joined forces in an attempt to improve board diversity, SHRM announced Aug. 18.
The program will emphasize improving the diversity of board compensation and nomination committees for both public and private companies. This announcement follows NACD and Vista’s diversity initiative for business professionals who are interested in serving on audit committees, for both private and public company boards. The first cohort for this program was announced in November 2021.
Over a 12-month long period, “individuals from underrepresented backgrounds” will participate in learning and development courses on human resources, board governance and “committee readiness.” Vista and NACD will lead in L&D, and SHRM will be responsible for “identifying and sourcing high-performing, diverse executives.”
"By working with SHRM and NACD to establish this new program, we are helping to create a diverse pipeline of talent for board oversight roles,” Bessie Watts, director of Vista's external board of directors program, said in a statement.
Watts added that alongside Vista’s other programs, this newly announced partnership will aid in the company’s goal to bring diversity, equity and inclusion to every part of its organizations.
SHRM President Johnny C. Taylor offered a similar take — that the burgeoning pipeline will “empower the talented but underrepresented individuals in our business community from diverse backgrounds.”
