2023
Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
INTERNATIONAL
AWARD
Cecilia B. Ogude
The Far-reaching Impact of DEI: A Personal Story As one of 12 children of a Ghanaian immigrant in Queens, New York, I learned early that I needed to work twice as hard as my peers to ensure I could keep up, overcome stereotypes, and navigate two cultures. The challenges multiplied when I decided to pursue higher education. It took dedication, sleepless nights, strong friendships, and multiple jobs to support me, and provide some financial assistance to some of my family in Ghana, while completing a dual degree in mathematics and electrical engineering from New York University and Stevens Institute of Technology.
Life-changing Preparation Education: Dual BA in Mathematics from the New York University and in Electrical Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology Company Name: Circana Industry: Market Research Company CEO: Kirk Perry Company Headquarters Location: Chicago, IL Number of Employees: 7,500+ Your Location: New York, NY Words you live by: You have what it takes for any opportunity and obstacle that comes your way. Who is your personal hero? Yaa Asantewaa, the Asante warrior queen mother, whose activism and military tactics contributed to Ghana’s liberation What book are you reading? The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz What was your first job? Working at St. Luke’s Hospital in the records department when I was about 16 or 17 Favorite charity: NYCares Interests/Hobbies: Traveling, reading, hiking, patronizing the arts (opera, concerts, music festivals, museums, etc.) Family: Originally from Ghana and one of twelve children – first woman and third born
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2023 Fourth Quarter
I was fortunate to join Inroads, a non-profit that creates career pathways for ethnically diverse high school and college students across the country. I had the opportunity to intern with Accenture for three summers. Those paid internships and the Inroads experience were transformative. I benefited from business soft-skills training, leadership development activities, and academic and career support. This pivotal time exposed me to the resources I would rely on to navigate my personal life and career and allowed me to cultivate valuable relationships with peers and mentors of all backgrounds.
Finding Purpose, Making Change
I intended to be a catalyst for change in my professional and personal life. Throughout a decade of consulting experience at Accenture and McKinsey, I led multiple employee groups to ensure the firms recognized, celebrated, and amplified diverse employees’ voices. In my next career move, into the DEI space, I could drive meaningful change in a more focused way. This began at JPMorgan Chase & Co., where I served as the firmwide diversity and inclusion program lead. In nearly seven years in that role, I executed on the firm’s global DEI strategy. A significant part of that work was implementing a five-year, $30 billion commitment to support employees and break down systemic racism. We accomplished this by expanding affordable housing, improving financial health, growing small businesses, and more.
The Next Step
I learned valuable lessons about DEI work’s impact at the individual level and, importantly, across entire communities, where it can have a lasting impact for generations. I then took on a more challenging role as the inaugural global head of DEI at Circana, where I establish the organization’s global DEI strategy. My team and I inspire behavioral changes, accelerate the sense of belonging for all our employees, and empower growth for diverse communities and businesses. I remain an active volunteer with community organizations, including New York Cares, Habitat for Humanity, and Meals on Wheels.
A Personal Reflection
I am proud of where my path has taken me. I have never given up on my goals or ambition, even when I felt defeated. I have always challenged myself to stretch what is possible while paying it forward by supporting my family and community. I am grateful for all the opportunities I have been considered for and the support I have received along the way. www.diversityjournal.com