Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has appointed Lisa Collins as the Group Vice President to oversee the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across North America. Collins, previously the head of People & Culture Partners for Production at WBD, will report to Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Asif Sadiq. This appointment follows the departure of Karen Horne, who was laid off by the company in June as part of a broader reorganization.
In addition to Collins, other WBD executives will join the DEI senior leadership team. Christian Hug will become the GVP of DEI International, Yvette Latour will serve as VP of DEI Workforce and Strategy, and Claire Brody will become the Director of DEI, EMEA.
Collins previously held various HR positions at Warner Bros. Entertainment and NBCUniversal before joining WBD. In her previous role, she headed the team responsible for providing HR support to cast and crew members working on company productions worldwide.
In her new role, Collins will develop DEI programs that focus on recruitment, retention, progression, performance management, leadership development, and employee engagement for each business unit. She will collaborate with executives across the company and help grow the company’s business resource groups.
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Sadiq, praising Collins’ qualifications, stated, “she deeply understands our employee population and has seen first-hand the positive impact equity and inclusion initiatives have on the corporate, creative, and production processes.” He believes her expertise makes her the perfect person to accelerate employee programs throughout the region.
Collins expressed her enthusiasm for joining the DEI team under Sadiq’s leadership. She commended WBD’s commitment to training, retaining, and promoting talented colleagues and pledged to advance the company’s DEI initiatives to ensure employees feel a sense of belonging and are enthusiastic about building their careers at WBD.
Horne’s departure from the company raised concerns about the number of DEI executives leaving the industry. Other notable departures include Vernā Myers, who had worked on Netflix’s inclusion and diversity initiatives, and Latondra Newton, who served as Disney’s chief diversity officer. However, WBD has announced plans to expand its team, signaling its dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
With Collins taking on the role of Group Vice President for DEI, Warner Bros. Discovery is positioning itself to continue prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion within its company culture. By appointing experienced executives and expanding its DEI team, the company aims to create an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued, empowered, and have opportunities for growth and success.
Through Collins’ leadership, the company aims to implement programs that address recruitment, retention, progression, performance management, leadership development, and employee engagement. These initiatives will contribute to a more diverse and inclusive workforce, which benefits the company’s corporate, creative, and production processes.
Warner Bros. Discovery’s commitment to diversity and inclusion extends to its business resource groups, which provide support, resources, and networking opportunities to underrepresented communities within the company. By growing these groups, the company strives to foster a sense of belonging and ensure that all employees have the resources they need to thrive.
In conclusion, Lisa Collins’ appointment as Group Vice President for DEI at Warner Bros. Discovery represents the company’s continued commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. With an expanded DEI senior leadership team and a focus on employee programs, the company aims to create an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued and empowered. By prioritizing DEI initiatives, Warner Bros. Discovery seeks to foster a more diverse and inclusive workforce, ultimately benefiting its corporate, creative, and production processes.
