Online talent solution firm Upwork has announced the appointment of Erin L Thomas as Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging.
Thomas comes from Paradigm, a diversity and inclusion strategy firm, where she partnered with companies to embed diversity, inclusion and belonging (DIB), into their organisations through culture transformation and people development.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Erin to the team,” said Stephane Kasriel, CEO of Upwork and Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Council on the New Social Contract. “Our mission is to create economic opportunities so people have better lives, and having Erin on board to drive our diversity, inclusion and belonging efforts, and challenge us actively and often, will help us tremendously on this journey.”
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION EFFORTS
Adding to his comments, Zoë Harte, Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Talent Innovation at Upwork, stated: “Erin’s passion for creating positive change and helping companies become the organisations to which they aspire is contagious. That energy, paired with her work advising some remarkable companies as they progress on this journey, is an ideal fit to oversee Upwork’s DIB efforts.
“Upwork is committed to being a place where people bring their whole selves to work. We know that there is strength in diversity and active collaboration and I am eager to partner with Erin to elevate our programmes and help our initiatives evolve to make Upwork all that we can be.”
OPPORTUNITY TO DEFINE ‘FUTURE OF WORK’
Commenting on her new appointment, Thomas stated: “I’m ecstatic to join Upwork during this time in the company’s growth. Diversity, inclusion and belonging are intrinsically linked with Upwork’s mission and vision, which means that we have an opportunity — and responsibility — to define the future of work by putting people and their experiences first. To realise ‘work without limits,’ Upwork has committed to cultivating a strong, values-based culture. My role is to operationalise this commitment so that intent translates to impact and aspirations convert to actions.”
Prior to Paradigm, Thomas held positions at Grant Thornton LLP and Argonne National Laboratory developing D&I strategies, programming and metrics. Thomas’ work has been featured in Fast Company and the New York Times and recognised by Forbes, Human Rights Campaign, the National Association for Female Executives, and Equal Opportunity Magazine. She has a Doctor of Philosophy in social psychology; a Master of Philosophy in social psychology; a Master of Science in social psychology; and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and international studies from Yale University.
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