Mahony Begins Presidency Signing Diversity Pledge
March 2, 2020
Carbondale, IL – Dr. Dan Mahony began his leadership of the Southern Illinois University System this morning by signing the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion Pledge which is the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. This action seals his commitment to foster an even greater sense of openness and respect for others as president of the multi-campus university system.
“It’s not just enough to talk about promoting diversity and inclusion. You have to put words into action. As I begin my tenure at the SIU System, I want our campus communities to know this is a long-held commitment that I will continue as system president,” Mahony said. “One of the things that drew me here was not just the priority each campus places on diversity, but the acceptance that these are not static issues and we need to continue working every day to advance understanding and inclusivity. I’m excited to become a part of that effort.”
In June 2017, more than 150 CEOs from some of the world’s leading companies joined together to sign the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion Pledge. In doing so, they promised to develop workplaces where all viewpoints and backgrounds were both welcomed and respected. Additionally, they agreed to create opportunities where employees could feel safe to discuss diversity and inclusion issues and focus on practices that worked well and those that didn’t.
“We can’t foster diversity and inclusion in a silo,” Mahony noted. “Only by talking and listening and being understanding of others’ personal experiences can we find common ground. I want my presidency to be known for these values and signing the CEO Action Pledge is a great first step in sharing this priority with the SIU System community.”
Mahony said he was pleased to join other state university leaders in signing the pledge including Northern Illinois University President Lisa C. Freeman, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Robert J. Jones and DePaul University President A. Gabriel Esteban. “I hope this becomes a growing list as we all focus our efforts to expand a greater understanding of others across Illinois and beyond,” Mahony said.
According to CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion, more than 900 CEOs representing over 85 industries from the world’s leading companies and business organizations have leveraged their individual and collective voices to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. For more information on the organization, visit: https://www.ceoaction.com/
