United announces search for second Black board member

United Airlines Holdings, Inc (UAL) has today announced that it plans to further diversity its board by adding a second Black board member to its Board of Directors. This is part of the airline’s “overall commitment to recruit and develop more diverse talent to better serve customers”, said UAL. The company’s Board of Directors collectively agreed last December to further diversify the board, conduct a search and recruit an additional Black board member. It has also joined The Board Challenge as Charter Pledge Partner to promote the importance of Black voices in the Board Room.

“As the first Latino to lead a major airline, I know from experience that a company can only truly thrive if those at the top are as diverse as the customers, communities and employees they serve – starting with the boardroom,” stated UAL’s Executive Chairman Oscar Munoz.  “It’s a matter of competitiveness as well as conscience. That’s why I am proud we are continuing our long-standing efforts to further diversify our board leadership to help lead United into the future.”  

DIVERSE LEADERSHIP

In addition to this commitment, United today also signed The Board Challenge, a movement among companies looking to accelerate change. “United, like other Charter Pledge Partners, currently has a diverse board including one Black board member and is encouraging other corporations to do the same,” said the airline. The company and its Board of Directors believe that diverse leadership improves its ability to serve the millions of customers who choose to fly United across the globe.

“Change comes from the top, and by making this commitment, we will expand and diversify the leaders that are helping to guide United forward during some of the toughest challenges we have faced,” added Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines. “As our search progresses, I am reminded of the wealth of untapped diverse talent that is out there and the ongoing responsibility that we, as corporate leaders, have to confront systemic racism head-on and actively recruit this talent at all levels of our organisations.”