US-based Crowe LLP, a public accounting, consulting and technology firm with offices around the world, announced that it has appointed Sheila Enriquez to the position of Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer. The firm also announced the addition of two new leaders that will further bolster the firm’s DE&I, purpose and sustainability efforts – Rachael Gibson as Deputy Chief – Firmwide Leader of DE&I, and Farrell Calabrese to the newly created role of Purpose and Sustainability Leader.
“DE&I and sustainability are firm priorities and critical elements of our strategy. They are also core parts of our DNA,” said Crowe’s CEO Mark Baer. “Championing DE&I and sustainability is more than just the right thing to do. Our people, clients and the market demand it. It aligns with our values and makes us a better firm. We are all stewards of the firm and under Sheila’s leadership, with Rachael and Farrell, we’re confident that together we will drive the necessary momentum towards our goals.”
“We’re proud of our progress but recognise we have so much work to do, and that’s why we’re aligning the right leaders and making the necessary investment,” added Baer.
SUPPORTING DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION EFFORTS
Enriquez joined Crowe as Texas Market Leader and a member of the firm’s management committee as part of the transaction with Briggs & Veselka in January 2022. She will continue in that capacity in addition to serving as CDEIO. Enriquez is a proven business leader who is passionate about fostering an inclusive environment and is actively engaged in supporting DE&I initiatives across the profession.
Gibson joins Crowe from Marcum, a top 15 accounting firm, where she served as the Director of DEI responsible for developing and executing a DE&I strategy for the firm. Calabrese joins Crowe from Eastman, where she served as the Global Corporate Sustainability manager for the past five years, responsible for translating corporate commitments into business value by driving clarification, alignment and accountability of progress towards multi-stakeholder expectations and industry standards.
“As Crowe continues to focus on and enhance our DE&I, sustainability and corporate responsibility programs, it is essential that we integrate them into every part of our firm – from our people strategy and recruiting, to client service delivery and operations,” said Katie Hamada, Crowe Chief People Officer. “We must ensure our words and commitments are followed up by action – and having the right leadership in place to drive progress and accountability is critical.”
ESG CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
In February 2022, Crowe introduced its first ever DE&I transparency report where it committed to real metrics and accountability on DE&I progress. And, in March, Crowe established an ESG center of excellence to help implement best practices and set standards and accountability in its own sustainability practices and additionally provide integrated ESG-related services to its clients.
“I’m honoured to take on this critical role as we strive to drive progress across our firm and across the profession,” said Enriquez. “We are in the people business, and to ensure we’re providing an unrivaled experience for our people and our clients, it is essential that our workforce resembles the communities in which we live and work and that we continue to foster an inclusive work environment. To be at our absolute best, we need diversity – in every sense of the word.”
Check out our Movers and Shakers section for more new appointments in the DE&I, ESG and wellbeing space.
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