Rhonda Crichlow

Diversity and inclusion aren’t just buzzwords to Crichlow. She is dedicated to creating a more equitable and representative world. “I work hard every day to help build understanding across our organization—and support others in leading and championing change. It is a complex, and, at times, challenging job, but one that I’m extremely passionate about,” she says. In the past year at Charter, she focused on enhancing workforce representation, especially in leadership roles. Crichlow is also community-minded. She has been involved with Charter’s $10 million investment in/partnership with the National Urban League and the National Action Network to support Black and other minority-owned small businesses, and in expanding programs like the Spectrum Community Investment Loan Fund, which provides loans to diverse businesses in underserved areas. Crichlow believes it is the job of industry leaders to support not only DEI programs, but also the employees themselves. “Our employees are being affected by a myriad of issues we continue to grapple with in society,” she says. “It is our job to build cohesive teams that drive our businesses and serve our customers, and in order to do so, we need to keep working at building environments where our employees feel seen, heard, valued and respected.”

 

Do you think there has been significant progress on DEI in the industry in the past year?
The events of the past 18-24 months have raised the level of consciousness around diversity and inclusion not only in our country, but also in our industry. There is a growing desire to understand how people of color, the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities or other diverse backgrounds are being impacted every day to ensure representation, equality and inclusion for all, but there is more work to do on this front.

I would love to see our industry be the shining example of how companies can and should advance D&I in a systemic and sustainable manner. Strategic DEI programs that touch every aspect of our businesses are essential, but as industry leaders, we also need to keep our hearts and minds open to acknowledging and understanding that our employees are being affected by a myriad of issues we continue to grapple with in society. It is our job to build cohesive teams that drive our businesses and serve our customers, and in order to do so, we need to keep working at building environments where our employees feel seen, heard, valued and respected.

How have you been a champion of diversity, equity and inclusion?
As Charter’s Chief Diversity Officer, I have been dedicated to the development and implementation of our comprehensive D&I strategy, which supports every aspect of our business and provides clear goals and metrics to measure our progress. In my role, I must work hard every day to help build understanding across our organization – and support others in leading and championing change. It is a complex, and, at times, challenging job, but one that I’m extremely passionate about.

Externally, I strive to advance D&I within our industry and local communities through serving on the boards or advisory councils of several non-profit organizations including: WICT, NAMIC, the National Organization on Disability, and the Governor’s Council for Women and Girls, focused on developing coordinated statewide responses to issues that impact the lives of women, girls and their families in Connecticut. Most recently, I became a Founding Advisory Board Member of a newly formed non-profit, Empower the Village, whose mission is to develop, guide and implement breakthrough, scalable strategies that empower Black people, businesses and community organizations to realize their full potential.

My best advice for fostering open, honest communication…
build trust through listening, welcoming multiple and divergent opinions, and understanding how your leadership style supports (or limits) communication.

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