More than dollars and cents: Why DiverseCity Counts

May 15, 2012 | What's New at DiverseCity

By Sandra Lopes, Maytree

At Maytree and Civic Action, when we talk about diversity in leadership, we often argue that we need to “collapse natural timelines.” Why would we say this knowing that change is inevitable, and, with time, it will happen regardless?

Because there is nothing natural about these natural timelines.

In 1991, 26% of the Toronto CMA’s population were visible minorities. What would be natural is to expect that twenty years later at least a quarter of our leadership would be visible minorities. But this is not the case. According to our DiverseCity Counts research, in 2011 only 14.5% of leaders in the most diverse areas of the GTA were visible minorities.

The slow pace of change is shocking. It is unnatural. A lack of networks, old-fashioned hiring criteria, and racism (whether intended or not) are barriers to leadership for visible minorities.

To encourage organizations to make diversity a priority, we often emphasize the economic reasons to take action. Research has found that leadership diversity is linked to enhanced financial performance, better access to new markets, and innovation.

But leadership diversity is important for many reasons that have nothing to do with the bottom line. (more…)

Patrick Lake – as a region evolves, so too must an organization

May 14, 2012 | Civic Leadership

Listen to Julia Moulden’s original full interview with Tammy Ward, Board President, and Patrick Lake, Executive Director, York Region Children’s Aid Society:

Since 2007, Patrick Lake has been the Executive Director of York Region Children’s Aid Society, a recognized leader in the child welfare sector. With more than 31 years experience, Patrick himself is a recognized leader in this sector. (more…)

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“Everyone counts or no one counts:” CBC’s Susan Marjetti recognized for diversifying the media

May 11, 2012 | Diversity in Leadership, Leaders in Action

Congratulations to CBC’s Managing Director Susan Marjetti who received the 2012 Outstanding Leadership Achievement Award.

What is the one thing you would do for diversity?

May 9, 2012 | Diversity in Leadership

May 21 is a special day for diversity – it’s World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.

Eric Rawlinson, Managing Partner, GTA, Ernst & Young: Diversity – Mindsets to Markets

May 2, 2012 | Leaders in Action

For Eric, business is about innovation – critical to that is differentiating yourself from your competitors.

Changing of the guard: New faces in places of power

April 25, 2012 | Civic Leadership, Diversity in Leadership

Parties are making efforts to be both relevant to and reflective of a growing diverse population, especially in the Greater Toronto Area. Such developments across the political spectrum are urgently needed, if one looks at the evidence.

Mennonite New Life Centre kicks off civic literacy training in the Latin American community

April 23, 2012 | Civic Leadership

Two Building Blocks leaders have created an intensive training program to deliver civic literacy training, focused on the Latin American community, at their Keele and Wilson location.