Living Up to Our Commitments: The Evolution of ESG and DE&I

Emily Graham drives Omnicom’s vision to achieve systemic equity across the holding company’s global network, which spans more than 1,500 creative agencies and 5,000 clients. A seasoned corporate communications strategist, Graham also serves as global head of diversity & inclusion communications at Omnicom. She also counsels an array of Omnicom’s largest clients on DE&I matters, including AT&T, General Motors and Microsoft. Graham leads Omnicom’s OPEN team, 30+ dedicated DE&I professionals responsible for driving DE&I strategy company wide. Previously, Emily was chief diversity & inclusion officer at FleishmanHillard, the first in the agency’s history. While at Fleishman, she was a senior partner, global client leader (GCL) and member of The Cabinet – the firm’s executive leadership team. She also founded and led True MOSAIC, a global communication consultancy dedicated to driving DE&I to the center of corporate strategy. Prior to that, she led the firm’s professional and financial services sector in the Americas. She held previous roles at MWWPR and Burson-Marsteller.

Alicia C. Aebersold is the American Psychological Association’s first chief communications officer, joining APA in September 2017. APA is the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States, with more than 140,000 member researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. She leads a 50-member multifaceted communications department to success in a supportive and outcome-focused environment. Aebersold came to APA from the National Council for Behavioral Health, where she served as that organization’s first senior vice president of communications and strategic development, working to elevate awareness of the National Council’s mission and vision to a broader audience, as well as overseeing all communications for Mental Health First Aid. Aebersold previously directed communications for the National Program Office of Aligning Forces for Quality, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s signature effort to lift the overall quality of health care in targeted communities, reduce racial and ethnic disparities and provide models for national reform. Aebersold has a BA from The College of Wooster and is from Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania.

SAIC is a member of Ragan’s Communications Leadership Council. Sarah Plaster is the senior director of change management and ESG communications for SAIC. In this role, she is responsible for formalizing and accelerating SAIC’s environmental, social and governance communications as well as leading major change management communications for the company. Previous to her current role, Plaster spent more than 11 years at Aflac in a variety of roles. As the director of ESG communications, Plaster was responsible for advancing the reputation of Aflac’s ESG objectives and leading the communications that supported the company’s objectives in this area.

Sean Greenwood is grand poobah of PR for Ben & Jerry’s, a title he has earned one scoop at a time. Starting in 1988, Greenwood took an interest in sharing Ben & Jerry’s good news and mission—specifically, that organizations can thrive when they lead with their values and consider more than making a profit. In his PR position, Greenwood has created programs, helped with flavors and managed relationships with Sir Elton John, Stephen Colbert and more. He led communication strategy for the company’s global climate “Save Our Swirled” initiative and flavor, the equity and EmpowerMint campaign to highlight systemic racism, the launch of The Tonight Dough starring Jimmy Fallon on the show’s first anniversary and the unveiling of Ben & Jerry’s non-dairy/vegan line of products. When not poobahing, Greenwood serves as director of public relations and communications at Ben & Jerry’s headquarters in Vermont, resulting in billions of annual impressions served.