The Why: Lopez was a core driver in the process that saw Comcast contribute $10,000 in individual cash grants—totaling in $1 million—to nearly 200 small businesses owned by people of color in the state of Washington. He also has continued the company’s partnership with the Greater Seattle Business Association and an LGBTQ+ and allied chamber of commerce that supports businesses owned by those in the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. That’s led to 76 business owners receiving more than $200,000 in cash grants.
He Says… “Today it is not just OK to talk about DEI; we encourage open and honest conversations. Today DEI is a cornerstone, a priority and a value.”
What movie or show is a must-watch for celebrating diversity? NBC’s “This is Us” is a must-watch mirror of modern America.
What is an overlooked aspect of DEI? As we become more intentional in identifying unconscious biases, we must support these efforts by providing updated training to talent professionals and hiring managers.
The place I would love to retire to: That’s my secret.
What practices should be adopted to make the hiring process more inclusive? Revisiting the interview format by being intentional in who participates and how the interviews are structured creates consistency and equity in identifying the best candidate. This increased engagement has resulted in an improved candidate funnel as more leaders advocate and sponsor a broader slate of individuals.
What recent pop culture moment showed progress in diversity and inclusion in entertainment? The popularity of KPop and artists like Bad Bunny in mainstream America
How has advocating for DEI benefited your company or department? Although we’ve been committed to DEI for years, the increased focus and desire to learn and understand has led to robust conversations across all company levels. These efforts have yielded broader representation that more closely mirrors the communities that we serve and richer discussions leading to more successful business and community investment strategies.
Who do you view as a DEI champion, and why? Film studios. Major studio distributors have become more inclusive and prioritized representation in movies, like Black Panther, Bros, Captain Marvel, Furious 7, and Harriet. Universal Pictures alone released 24 films in the past two years that made it the top studio distributor in an Inclusion List that ranks the most inclusive theatrically released films, distributors and producers.
How have attitudes about DEI changed since you began your career? Today it is not just ok to talk about DEI; we encourage open and honest conversations. Today DEI is a cornerstone, a priority, and a value. I am proud that in my 30+ years in the industry, we have made great strides in understanding the importance of fostering a culture that values and embraces diversity in every way: background, gender, ethnicity, and experience. Through DEI, we build better products, provide better service, and deliver outstanding experiences to our teammates and customers.
