The Why? Casey helped establish and is a leader of CNBC International’s DEI Taskforce, serves on NBCU’s DEI Advisory Council and is an executive sponsor of NBCU’s employee resource group UK Black Employee Network. A mentor and sponsor of The Amos Bursary, Casey for the past few years has helped develop Zoom-based programs to teach bursary recipients about the news industry and how to hone their media skills.
He Says… “Make DEI part of the DNA of the organization by putting it on the regular business agenda and by making it part of the everyday.”
Advice for productive conversation about race in the workplace: Leadership has to be in the conversation and not shy away from it, but be in learn mode, not dictate mode.
What roadblocks have you overcome when it comes to DEI? When I was head of news in Asia in 2007, my ethnicity, my mixed heritage and my lack of higher education in an industry that’s largely run by highly educated people often got in the way of the business at hand. The tokenism or surprise could be tiresome, but ultimately, I was able to overcome these hurdles by focusing on the product, outcome and our audiences. I am inherently wired to be inclusive because of my background, but also because of my job and family; both of which are global and have educated me to be tuned into the ethnic, racial and class dynamics in the different territories I work in.
How can leadership best support DEI? Make DEI part of the DNA of the organization by putting it on the regular business agenda and by making it part of the everyday workday. It helps to engage a group of passionate supporters and set out clear milestones. Try to always approach DEI from a positive place.
