"Optimism, attitude, and how we view our circumstances is so important to our healing and how we tell our stories."
– Kimberly S. Reed
The Prestigious Powerlist of 50 Chief Diversity Officers
Celebrating a milestone in excellence, we proudly honor our esteemed senior partner, Kimberly S. Reed, for being named a top Chief Diversity Officer on the prestigious Powerlist of 50 Chief Diversity Officers. This honor, bestowed by Color's Power 50, is a testament to her unwavering commitment and transformative influence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB).
Kimberly S. Reed, M.Ed., CDE, Chief Transformational Officer and Executive Advisor of Reed Development Group is a talented strategic leader who has leveraged her 25 years of experience in HR, talent acquisition, and diversity & inclusion to reshape the way CEOs perceive the role of Chief Diversity Officers. Kim's approach has taught leaders to emphasize the importance of addressing racial trauma with courage and depth. As an award-winning speaker and best-selling author, her compelling voice challenges organizations to elevate their business imperatives and to approach DEIB with renewed intention and strategy for the future.
The Importance of Belonging in Leadership
In her interview with The Powerlist, Reed explained how the “forgotten B” - belonging, is how she ensures that employees feel heard and valued in the workplace, regardless of their different backgrounds or experiences. She believes belonging is “the one metric consistently and universally tied to an employee’s workplace commitment, motivation, and pride.”
When asked what methods she uses to gather feedback from employees, Reed noted that it is imperative to “get back to the basics.” Using forums such as town halls or employee resource groups (ERGs) can help an organization’s employees get back to the basics of communication, ensuring that trust is built at all levels. DEI activities and teaching should not just be checking a box, but rather they should add value to the day-to-day operations of your business, and the culture that is ingrained into all of your practices.
For Reed, leadership behavior plays a role in reinforcing the value, fairness, respect, and safety of an organizational culture. Ensuring this sense of belonging can empower employees to feel a part of a team within their organization, allowing employees to thrive and contribute their best work and self.
Join us in applauding Kim's vision and dedication, which have propelled organizations to new heights of excellence and strengthened the core values that foster inclusive and vibrant workplaces.
Congratulations, Kim, on your well-deserved recognition. Your optimism and leadership continue to inspire and guide us.