Aerospace and defence company Raytheon Technologies has announced the appointment of Marie R Sylla-Dixon as Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) to further advance the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives.
Sylla-Dixon will report directly to Chief Executive Officer Gregory Hayes and serve as a member of the company’s executive leadership team. As CDO, Sylla-Dixon will be responsible for leading Raytheon Technologies’ DE&I strategy. The role will integrate initiatives across the four pillars of talent management, community engagement, public policy and supplier diversity. “She will also shape externally how the company shows up in its communities,” said the company.
PRIORITISING DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
“Prioritising diversity, equity and inclusion in all that we do will make us a better company, a better employer and a better contributor to the communities we touch,” commented Hayes. “Marie has a strong track record of aligning diversity and inclusion with business strategy to drive results; and in creating tangible community and societal impact. We welcome Marie to Raytheon Technologies and look forward to her leadership.”
As part of its commitment to improving communities, Raytheon Technologies has made a $25 million, five-year community engagement and philanthropic commitment to support marginalised individuals and communities through programmes focused on racial justice, empowerment and career readiness. The company is also supporting the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation with the establishment of its first-ever Defence and Aerospace Policy Fellowships. It has also expanded its support for the Faith & Politics Institute and the Equal Justice Initiative to address understanding and discourse around issues of race.
DIVERSE MINDS FOR GROWTH & INNOVATION
Commenting on the new role, Sylla-Dixon stated: “When diverse minds come together to advance innovation and business growth they propel the economic progress of communities around the world. I am excited to join Raytheon Technologies to drive the organisation’s diversity, equity and inclusion strategy that will bring employees, partners and communities together to achieve enduring progress.”
Sylla-Dixon joins Raytheon Technologies from T-Mobile US where she spent 11 years. She most recently served as Vice President for Government and External Affairs, leading T-Mobile’s DE&I efforts and community outreach through the company’s recent merger with Sprint. She spearheaded the operational management of the company’s DE&I commitments. This included community investment focused on workforce development, digital literacy and adoption, as well as programming for underserved and underrepresented communities. She has also worked with national civil rights groups.
Prior to T-Mobile, Sylla-Dixon served as Vice President for Government Relations at Verizon Communications. She holds a BA in political science from Hampton University, and a Juris Doctorate from the Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law.
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