Jelena Jansson Profile picture
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Jun 2, 2020, 74 tweets

In lieu of companies voicing their support for #BLM I compiled info on leadership teams of these companies, venture capital & funded startups so the public can make their opinion.
Data comes from Craft (so it could have errors). /thread

👉 Spotify: craft.co/spotify/execut…

👉 Sequoia Capital: craft.co/sequoia-capita…

👉 L’oreal: craft.co/loreal/executi…

This is first batch of companies. I will add more over next few days. Please let me know which companies, investment firms & startups to add and check for #diversity #inclusion #equality in top leadership teams. Let’s use this to highlight need to end systematic gatekeeping.

We continue with more company leadership teams to highlight.

👉 Zoom: craft.co/zoom/executives

👉 Founders Fund (Peter Thiel & co):
foundersfund.com/our_team/

👉 Balderton Capital: balderton.com/team/

First impression from the batch so far, is that black people are very rare to be seen in management positions & usually in a diversity / inclusion role.
❗️Please share this thread to highlight systematic career gatekeeping & raise transparency on companies! #blm #inclusivity

👉 Sephora: craft.co/sephora

As I dig further into these companies & their highest ranked managers, it makes me wonder, how comfortable everyone is to have all white or mostly white executive team & now roll out branding initiatives around #blm as if you care. SHOW US THROUGH NON-BIASED HIRING & PROMOTING!

👉 Kering (Gucci, St Laurent, Balenciaga etc.): craft.co/kering/executi…

kering.com/en/group/our-g…

While I take a little break, here is some research on black consumers: nielsen.com/us/en/insights…

Did you know that black consumers interact more with brands on socials?

Remember the boardrooms & executives next time they post a black square or that they are “there for you”.

Also, to note, brands signal to their white customers that hold more inclusive world-views by aligning with fight against inequality & racism, while their offices and boardrooms sing a different tune. It might seem it’s for black people, but many brands do this for white people.

In USA, or any country with diverse population there is no reason for the roster of executives to all or most be white. It doesn’t represent the reality of the consumers, workers, available skills & knowledge bases out there.

👉 Mailchimp: craft.co/mailchimp/exec…

👉 Square (Cash app): squareup.com/gb/en/about

The list is long on this one so check the site.

👉 Ben & Jerry’s (Unilever): benjerry.com/about-us/how-w…

Their site is a bit quirky, so check out the full team there.

Taking a break for the night. Comment what companies, investment firms or startups to add on the list to help highlight systematic hiring & promotion gatekeeping that black people face in their careers.

Here is the next batch of global companies I highlight & their executive boardroom makeup, for full transparency. Make your own opinion how this aligns with their support & campaign activities.

👉 H&M: craft.co/hm-clothing-co…

👉 Postmates: craft.co/postmates/exec…

👉 LVMH (Louis Vuitton & others): craft.co/lvmh/executives

👉 HelloFresh: craft.co/hellofresh/exe…

👉 Braintree (Venmo): craft.co/braintree/exec…

👉 Seedcamp: seedcamp.com/about-us/

👉 Microsoft: craft.co/microsoft/exec…

👉 Bank of America: craft.co/bank-of-americ…

As this executive thread is gaining traction, I will add more companies to the list over the next hour. I also want you all to think about “culture fit” concept, and how it is used to exclude humans from joining others at the big table. #blm #inclusion #BlackLivesMattter

👉 Citi (Citibank): craft.co/citi/executives

👉 Patagonia: craft.co/patagonia/exec…

👉 McDonalds: craft.co/mcdonald-s/exe…

Now I have posted at least 20+ globally operating companies, and it is interesting to see that not a single one so far has executive team with more people of color versus white, aka that the scales shift. I will search & post more companies to highlight.

👉 Starbucks: craft.co/starbucks/exec…

Few people asked about this company. Will add more over the day. Please share the thread to raise visibility!

👉 Pinterest: craft.co/pinterest/exec…

👉 a16z (investment firm): a16z.com/about/team/

👉 Refinery29: craft.co/refinery29/exe…

👉 General Motors: craft.co/general-motors…

As I add more companies to the list, it is important to remember that leadership affects progression of employees in junior/mid level roles. When we limit diversity we also limit growth of people & longterm opportunity for those that don’t look like the executive team.

Lack of role progression, promotions & other, affects persons general career & earning potential, making women, black people especially and others who don’t “fit the bill” punished long term for who they are. Organisations need to make room at the top for true representation.

Fun campaigns, hashtags & support, while raising awareness of the cause can do some good for gen pop culture and change of voice, but in grand scheme don’t mean much if these director teams & boards stay the same. #BlackLivesMatter

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