Change, Or Checking The Box? Massachusetts Companies Are On A Diversity Exec Hiring Spree

State Street Bank chief diversity officer Paul Francisco. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Just take a look at LinkedIn, and you’ll see plenty of job listings with titles like these: Diversity and Inclusion Manager; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager; Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Program Manager; Head of Belonging; Vice President, Inclusion and Diversity; Chief Diversity Officer.

A growing list of local companies — and many across the country — are looking to hire diversity leaders as recent protests over racial injustice have led to calls for organizations to address their own systemic racism. Some companies have recently named chief diversity officers, including Boston-based GE and Alexion Pharmaceuticals.

Many people who do diversity and inclusion work say they’re glad to see these efforts — though it’s unfortunate it took the killing of George Floyd and others to get to this moment. Diversity professionals say they often face many challenges, but they hope this moment will lead to real change.

“If you’re a Black person in corporate, you’re sort of saying, ‘What took you so long to awaken to the plight and challenges that we have as Black people — not only in society, but inside our walls?’ ” said Paul Francisco, the chief diversity officer at State Street. “But there’s also a little bit of saying: ‘Welcome to the work. Glad to have you as a partner. Glad to have you as an ally. Now, let’s get to work.’ “

Francisco and his team guide diversity strategies at the Boston-based financial services firm. One area he’s paying close attention to is how employees move through the company.

Read the rest of this story at WBUR’s website.