Highmark Health has announced the promotion of Robert James to Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer.
James joined Highmark Health back in 2015 as Supplier Diversity Director. During his time in that role, he successfully grew the programme, which went on to win the Procurement Leaders Americas Supplier Diversity and Inclusion Award.
In the new role, James will work closely with Dr Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, Chief Clinical Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Officer of Allegheny Health Network (AHN), which is owned by Highmark Health. James will implement and advise on Highmark Health’s enterprise-wide DE&I strategy, while Dr Larkins-Pettigrew will focus her efforts across AHN; to shape an inclusive workplace culture and further establish the network’s strong commitment to workforce diversity, cultural competency and equitable health care delivery and outcomes.
“As a leader in health care, we are committed to being a diverse and inclusive organisation at its core, to closing the health disparity gap, and to actively investing in people, suppliers and communities of colour,” stated Larry Kleinman, Chief Human Resources Officer of Highmark Health. “Robert’s vast experience and deliberate approach will be invaluable in driving forward a measureable and comprehensive diversity, equity and inclusion strategy.”
DIVERSITY CHAMPION
Prior to joining Highmark Health, James served as CEO of a diversity and inclusion consulting firm, and in an advisory role with the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion at the US’ Securities and Exchange Commission. A practicing lawyer for more than 20 years, he spent several years facilitating Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) financing nationally for capital projects through a US Department of Education programme.
James was named a Top 30 Champions of Diversity by Diversity Plus Magazine in 2018. He is currently an active member of Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf’s Advisory Council for Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities, and serves as a member of its Executive Committee.
James has a Master of Business and a Master of Health Administration from the University of Pittsburgh, a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center and a Bachelor of Arts from Boston College. He is also a graduate of the inaugural class of Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business/The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI) Executive Leadership Academy.
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