Company: Industry: CEO: Employees: Headquarters:
Denny’s Restaurant John C. Miller 8,340 Spartanburg, South Carolina
APRIL KELLY-DRUMMOND
DIRECTOR, DIVERSITY AFFAIRS AND MULTICULTURAL ENGAGEMENT DENNY’S
DENNY’S DIVERSITY DIRECTOR BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER As director of diversity affairs and multicultural engagement at Denny’s restaurants, April Kelly-Drummond has spent two decades promoting and standing proud for a diverse, inclusive workforce.
leap. “It was instrumental in helping me grow and think more strategically, as well as putting me on the path to where I am today,” she said. She believes trustworthiness is essential for female leadership. “If your team Her colleagues say she is tireless in doesn’t trust you, it doesn’t matter her efforts to bring all people together how competent and driven you are as a female leader,” she said. "Let your to create an environment of respect. smile change the world, but don't let Drummond joined Denny’s in the the world change your smile." early 1990’s and worked her way through the ranks while continuing Drummond works with communities and organizations in her education and remaining active with numerous community and local her initiatives to advance diversity service organizations. The company and inclusion. Earlier this year says her work has been invaluable and she worked with the College of has been acknowledged in the book Charleston’s School of Professional Studies to launch a conference, The Denny’s Story: How a Company in Crisis Resurrected Its Good Name Advancing Diversity and Inclusion: Building Successful Organizations and Reputation. Along her career path, Drummond and Communities. The initiative was describes her move from a coordinator aimed at advancing the conversation of diversity and inclusion in the to a manager as her biggest career 66
PROFILES IN DIVERSITY JOURNAL • Summer 2016
community by bringing together more than 100 business leaders, educators, elected officials, and community leaders. Drummond has received many accolades for her work, including recognition among Savoy Magazine’s Top 100 Influential Women in Corporate America and Minority Advocate of the Year by Asian Enterprise Magazine. She is a board member for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate South Carolina chapter and the NAACP Florida State conference. She holds a BA in professional studies from the College of Charleston. Words she lives by: “Stay true to yourself and never compromise your values or integrity. Pride yourself on always doing the right thing, even when you think no one is watching.” PDJ