Changing the Face of Leadership in Toronto

Maytree and Toronto City Summit Alliance Unveil “DiverseCity”

Project addresses striking lack of diversity in Toronto’s top organizations; Conference Board of Canada research demonstrates value of diversity.

TORONTO, November 26, 2008 – Maytree and The Toronto City Summit Alliance (Alliance) today launched “DiverseCity: The Greater Toronto Leadership Project,” an eight-program initiative that aims to build a more diverse leadership in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

The Toronto region is the most ethnically and racially diverse region in Canada yet this diversity is not reflected in the leadership of GTA private, public or nonprofit organizations. DiverseCity was created in response to a call from over 600 Toronto region leaders at the Alliance’s 2007 Toronto Summit for a collective effort to diversify leadership to help the GTA better achieve, excel and prosper.

DiverseCity consists of a series of eight concrete and measurable projects to help realize our leadership potential, including:

Initiatives to expand the region’s networks:

DiverseCity Nexus which will bridge business and social connections between established and rising executives through an annual speaker series.
DiverseCity Fellows which will equip 25 next generation civic leaders each year through a fellowship that combines leadership, diversity, exposure to top leaders, and action projects.

Initiatives to strengthen the region’s institutions:

DiverseCity onBoard which will strengthen public and voluntary institutions by matching their governance positions with highly qualified candidates from racially and ethnically diverse communities.
DiverseCity in Civic Leadership which will broaden involvement in the political process by identifying, training and mentoring diverse leaders who will run for elected office and manage election campaigns.
DiverseCity Voices which will enrich the quality of print, radio and television news by identifying and training diverse spokespeople across a variety of subject areas and connecting them with journalists.

Initiatives to advance the region’s knowledge:

DiverseCity Advantage which will build and communicate the body of knowledge on the economic and social benefits of diversity in leadership.
DiverseCity Perspectives which will create opportunities for dialogue and surface new ideas on the systemic conditions that encourage or discourage diversity in leadership.

An initiative to track the region’s progress:

DiverseCity Counts which will produce an annual check-up on the extent to which leadership reflects our demographic realities.

A more diverse leadership in Toronto will better reflect the richness and complexity of the city region. These initiatives will expand networks, strengthen institutions and advance knowledge by diversifying the region’s leadership.

“Diversity is Ontario’s strength,” says Michael Chan, Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. “Employers, individuals, communities and our economy benefit when we tap into the skills of all Ontarians.”

With a more diverse leadership, the range of talents and perspectives broadens – bringing a wider array of knowledge, skills and experiences to organizations. Research shows that the inclusion of diversity in the senior ranks of organizations and communities often results in gains in performance and effectiveness.

“We are trying to build a movement of individuals, businesses and institutions that recognize the social and economic prosperity possible in this city region,” says Ratna Omidvar, President, and Maytree. “We can do this by investing in building a leadership that reflects the diversity of people who live and work in the GTA.”

VALUE OF DIVERSE LEADERSHIP: CONFERENCE BOARD REPORT

Maytree and the Toronto City Summit Alliance worked with The Conference Board of Canada to develop a report exploring the “The Value of Diverse Leadership,” a comprehensive report by the Conference Board of Canada which analyzes many of the issues and benefits of diversity in Canadian leadership circles. The report found that, although Canada prides itself on being a diverse multi-cultural society, there remains a serious lack of inclusiveness at the top of its public, private, and non-profit organizations Through case studies of organizations that have engaged increased diversity at the senior levels, the report also shows that there is cause for optimism.

“The GTA is the most diverse city in North America and our diversity can be one of our most powerful competitive advantages if we realize its full potential,” says David Pecaut, Chair, Toronto City Summit Alliance; Senior Partner and Managing Director, The Boston Consulting Group. “Through the DiverseCity project, and focusing on diverse leadership, the GTA community and organizations within the region have the opportunity to maximize their strength and effectiveness.”

“Evidence shows that diversity strengthens leadership by bringing broader perspectives, enhanced knowledge, and connections to new markets and social networks into organizations and communities,” says Anne Golden, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Conference Board of Canada.

The efforts of the DiverseCity project will increase leadership diversity and will help the Toronto region take important steps towards securing its future competitiveness, sustainability and quality of life.

ABOUT MAYTREE:
Maytree is a private foundation that promotes equity and prosperity through its policy insights, grants and programs. In particular, it focuses on creating diversity in the workplace, in the boardroom and in public office, changing the face of leadership in the Greater Toronto Area and Canada.

ABOUT TCSA:
The Toronto City Summit Alliance (Alliance) is a multi-sectoral coalition of civic leaders who develop and support initiatives addressing issues critical to the future health and wealth of the Toronto region. Since its inception in 2002, over 6000 volunteers have been involved in Alliance initiatives aimed at: expanding knowledge-based industry (Toronto Region Research Alliance); better integrating skilled immigrants (Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council, with Maytree); promoting affordable housing (Make Housing Happen); strengthening neighbourhoods (Strong Neighbourhoods Task Force); supporting working-age adults (Modernizing Income Security for Working-Age Adults Task Force); promoting our cultural and tourism assets (Toront03 and Luminato); connecting and supporting emerging city-builders (Emerging Leaders Network, the Social Entrepreneurship Summit); and realizing a regional environmental vision (Greening Greater Toronto).

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