Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | April 4, 2022 | Worcester Business Journal 11 financial officer. e cause of these turnover rates is manifold, but it oen has to do with the organization a CDO is serving. "In the wake of the uprisings that happened nationally, I think organizations felt like they had to do something, and so they did the thing that everyone else was doing," said Valerie Zolezzi-Wyndham, CEO of diversity consulting agency Promoting Good, LLC in Upton. "But, I don't think that organizational leadership … really understood what would be required so that a person in that role could succeed." e role of a CDO is by no means simple, as they are striving to build an equitable workplace environment, whether it be by trainings, hiring practices, or surveying employees. At its heart, the goal of a DEI leader is to essentially address and dismantle structural inequities that have existed for decades, if not centuries. More and more companies are recognizing the importance of investing in this work, both for ethical reasons and profit-based ones. Improving workforce diversity and cultures of inclusion leads to better customer orientation, employee satisfaction, and long-term decision making, ultimately growing profit margins, multiple studies from global consulting group McKinsey & Co. show. Firms with DEI employees are 22% more likely to be seen as an industry leader with high-caliber talent, according to LinkedIn data. ough arduous, diversity work is possible, Zolezzi-Wyndham stressed, but it is up to organizations to genuinely engage in making it successful. Support structures for success For Liz Wambui, who was hired in 2021 as director of diversity, inclusion, and community at the Fontaine Bros. construction firm in Worcester, support from other diversity professionals has been paramount in her success. "It's invaluable," she said of her relationship with the diversity professional at Fontaine's partnering contracting company, Dimeo Construction in Providence, R.I. "Just having someone who you can call and just ask the silliest or the most serious question, helping me think through how to deal with certain situations, and offering up resources." Wambui is Fontaine Bros.' first-ever diversity officer and has a leadership background at the Nativity School in Worcester, so her colleague at Dimeo has helped guide her through the worlds of both contracting and diversity. At companies like Fontaine Bros., the position has existed for only a handful of years, so there aren't many structures in place or other professionals who have previously served in the position. "e biggest challenge in starting work at a newly created role is just that: Our diversity efforts haven't met expectations Is your company culture more diverse and inclusive than it was two years ago? In the wake of the police murder of George Floyd and the ensuing national response in 2020, several Central Massachusetts companies pledged to create more diverse and inclusive work environments, including some who created or enhanced the position of chief diversity officer. In part feeling their efforts aren't making the desired impact, chief diversity officers are leaving their positions, most recently Stephanie Williams, the City of Worcester's chief diversity officer. When polled online, 59% of WBJ readers said their companies committed to creating more diverse and inclusive cultures, but the majority of those respondents said changes are behind schedule. F L AS H P O L L Yes, although results aren't happening as quickly as we'd like. 22% No, we committed to make changes but have had a hard time getting traction. No, we didn't commit to make any diversity & inclusion changes to our culture. 41% Yes, we committed to make changes and have made serious strides forward. 25% Amy Bonilla, chief diversity officer at Rollstone Bank City of Worcester's chief diversity officers Annual pay in CDO Start year Year of departure last full year Malika Carter 2016 2017 $63,000 Suja Chacko 2018 2020 $70,000 Stephanie Williams 2020 2022 $103,875 Source: News reports, City of Worcester Since the position was created in 2016, the City of Worcester has had three chief diversity officers, with the position currently vacant. City of Worcester c-suite salaries Title Executive 2020 gross pay Notes City manager Edward Augustus $279,770 Police chief Steven Sargent $239,130 City solicitor Michael Traynor $178,434 Acting fire chief Martin Dyer $160,161 Pay is from his time as deputy fire chief. He was named interim chief in 2022. Chief financial officer Timothy McGourthy $157,200 Started position in June 2020. Annual earnings is calculated based off salary for six months. Chief information officer Eileen Cazaropoul $139,499 Assistant city manager Nicole Valentine $129,338 Chief development officer Peter Dunn $108,809 Was promoted to position in May 2020. Pay covers time periods before and after promotion Assistant city manager Eric Batista $107,656 Pay is from his time as director of urban innovation. He was named assistant city manager in 2021. Chief diversity officer Stephanie Williams $92,160 Annual salary in 2021 was $103,875. Started position Nov. 30, 2020. Annual earnings is calculated based off salary for one month. Chief of public faclities Julie Lynch N/A Hired in 2021 Source: 2020 City employee earnings data on the City of Worcester's website (opendata.worcesterma.gov) Day-to-day operations in the City of Worcester are run by the city manager, two assistant city managers, and 16 other members of the city manager's cabinet. Of the cabinet members with the word "chief" in their title, the chief diversity officer was the lowest paid in 2020, the latest year data is provided. 12% continues on page 12

• Cover