The Why: Horne, WBD’s top diversity executive before she was laid off in June, has spent her career creating and implementing programs to amplify the voices of underrepresented communities. She was key to ensuring diversity and inclusion were top of mind during the merger, and followed up with the creation of a global DEI strategy that reflects the needs and values of employees, writers, directors, showrunners and producers, and creatives in the media industry, regardless of their location. Horne is also an active mentor who has used her station to provide access for marginalized talent to top creatives.
She Says… “Inclusion is when the efforts of diversity plus equality (not equity) are put into works.”
How have attitudes about DEI changed since you began your career? I’ve worked in this space for 20-plus years and have seen attitudes about DEI go back and forth several times.
What is an overlooked aspect of DEI? Perhaps the most overlooked aspect is that DEI is Good. For. Business.
How have attitudes about DEI changed since you began your career? When I started in this industry, DEI practices didn’t exist. I’ve worked in this space for 20-plus years and have seen attitudes about DEI go back and forth several times. We must embrace the business benefit of this work and not act performatively to satisfy quotas or to check boxes.
First job in the industry: Assistant at ABC Sports.