RIMScast: Diversity as a Successful Business Division with Rodney Johnson

Diversity as a Successful Business Division with Rodney Johnson

Feb 16, 2021

Welcome to RIMScast. Your host is Justin Smulison, Business Content Manager at RIMS, the Risk and Insurance Management Society.

In this episode, RIMScast’s Black History Month coverage continues with a look at successful supplier diversity initiatives in risk and insurance with Rodney Johnson; the Vice President of Culture and Inclusion in the Business Division at Gallagher.

Measuring the success of a diversity initiative can be a challenge but assessing a supplier diversity initiative is one way to generate returns. In Justin and Rodney’s conversation today, they discuss how and why such initiatives are key to attracting and retaining Black and diverse talent in the risk profession year-round.

Key Takeaways:

[:01] About RIMS’s Global Membership.

[:26] About today’s episode.

[:41] Current RIMS features, offerings, news, and events.

[1:16] More about today’s episode with Rodney Johnson.

[1:50] Justin welcomes Rodney to RIMScast!

[1:53] Rodney shares about the work that he does at Gallagher.

[3:13] Why Black History Month is unique in 2021 not only to Rodney personally but to the risk profession as a whole.

[4:56] What companies should do and think about during Black History Month.

[6:01] Rodney shares his insights on how he has seen companies wisely invest time and resources into diversity, equity, and inclusion in 2020.

[7:48] What Rodney feels are some of the risks that have been identified for failing to invest in Black talent in the risk profession.

[8:47] When does Rodney estimate that we’ll see the returns on the initiatives that were launched in 2020?

[9:40] Rodney highlights some of the key areas of improvement when it comes to investing in the talent pool currently in the risk profession. He also shares how these improvements can help attract the younger generation of talent.

[12:22] About upcoming RIMS webinars!

[13:00] As a strong proponent of diversity supplier programs, Rodney shares how they can generate positive outcomes.

[15:41] About Rodney’s background in the risk field.

[16:49] When Rodney first entered the profession, would he say that there were not many Chief Diversity Officers?

[18:44] Beyond the diversity supplier program, what is Rodney’s strategy to engage allies within the workplace and across the profession?

[22:20] Justin thanks Rodney Johnson for joining RIMScast and shares some of the links to check out in this episode’s show notes!

Mentioned in this Episode:

RIMS Webinars and Services:

Feb. 18th, 2021 | RIMS Board Governance Task Presents: “Boardroom Diversity in 2021” — This first session will be free for members and non-members!

Feb. 25, 2021 | Sponsored by Onspring: “Scaling Enterprise Risk Management in 2021 without Doubling Your Team”

March 4, 2021 | Sponsored by Resolver: “Using a Scenario Analysis to Help you Manage HR-related Risks”

March 11, 2021 | Sponsored by Riskonnect: “Using RMIS as a Springboard to Integrated Risk Management”

Upcoming RIMS Webinars

On-Demand Webinars

RIMS Risk Forum 2020 India — Register for On-Demand Content!

RIMS Advisory Services — Ask a Peer

RIMS Virtual Workshops

RIMS D&I Three-Year Strategy

RIMS Professional Report: “Understanding and Adapting to Your Remote Workforce,” by RIMS D&I Council Chair Teressa Betty

RIMS Risk Management Talent 2025 Report

Gallagher and Supplier Diversity