A CALL TO BE ‘AUDACIOUS

BY JESSICA YOUNGMAN

At a recent Maxwell School Advisory Board meeting, member Mary Daly ’90 posed a question—or perhaps it was a challenge.

As she recalls, it went something like this: “What can we do that can move the needle, materially change what we see that we don’t like in our society, with regard to inequities? How are we going to literally be able to hand the next generation a better future than what we inherited?”

The meeting’s agenda was to give feedback on a draft of the Maxwell School’s strategic plan for improving diversity, equity and inclusion. “It had all the elements that are often in plans that are making progress on this,” she recalls. Yet, to really move the needle, it requires actions that are, “going to be, by definition, audacious and bold,” she says.

The exchange was emblematic of the important role the Advisory

Board plays in guiding Dean David M. Van Slyke and fellow Maxwell leaders. It also exemplifies a fundamental truth: diversity, equity and inclusion are, in the simplest terms, not only the right thing to do but also yield better outcomes.

In recent years, Maxwell leadership has diversified its 40-member advisory board, including adding more women and people of color and widening the span of careers and sectors, disciplines and ages.

“Time and again, we see that a rich mix of perspectives is vital for making informed and better decisions,” says Van Slyke. Beyond that, he says, “They all are doing important work to advance equity of opportunity and demonstrating the benefits of civic engagement and leadership across all types of organizations and communities. Their work on social justice and diversity influences what we do here at Maxwell. We are the beneficiaries of their perspectives and experiences.”

Advisory Board Chair Ron O’Hanley ’80, chairman and chief executive officer of financial services firm State Street Corp., has seen firsthand how a commitment to inclusion pays dividends.

For the last five years, State Street Global Advisors has called on companies to increase gender diversity “because evidence shows that companies with more gender diverse boards generate better performance,” says O’Hanley, who earned a bachelor of arts in political science at Maxwell. “This year, they are focused on racial and ethnic diversity because research indicates that the issue is similarly a meaningful value driver for companies.” continued on page 10

Fellow Maxwell Advisory Board member Lisa Y. Gordon ’90 has echoed the sentiment to School leaders as they seek to address disparities.