Isenberg Kicks Off Annual DEIB Executives-in-Residence Program

The Isenberg School of Management recently hosted its inaugural Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (“DEIB”) Executives-in-Residence Program to advance equity-centered leadership in business education. From October 28 to 30, the program brought together students, faculty, staff, and alumni for mentorship and networking opportunities led by Beck Bailey ’14, global chief diversity officer at Accenture, and Anthony C. Hood, PhD, executive vice president and chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at First Horizon Bank.

A Vision for Equity in Business

The Executives-in-Residence Program, organized by Isenberg’s Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), brought executives to campus to share real-world insights into how diversity and belonging shape corporations. "The purpose of the event was to provide students with a chance to hear from individuals in industry and offer an equity lens into what the business world looks like while fostering meaningful connections," said Assistant Dean of DEIB Jesenia Minier-Jennings, who added that the event had originally been developed by the school’s dean, Anne Massey. The blend of in-person and virtual engagements offered wide accessibility to organizational change management discussions for students.

Program Highlights

The program kicked off with a cocktail reception where Isenberg community members enjoyed meaningful conversations with Bailey in an informal setting. The rest of the three-day event included public and private gatherings where the executives-in-residence shared insights with faculty, staff, and students.

Mentorship Opportunities and Classroom Engagements

Fourteen students engaged in flash mentoring with the executives for tailored guidance on career development, resume preparation, and strategies for diverse organizational cultures. Both executives also spoke in classroom settings, sharing subject matter expertise in the context of academic lessons. Bailey described the steps he took to get to the point in his career today, outlining the actions he took in a non-profit setting to fight for transgender rights, “That was actually a great springboard—doing non-profit work, to then go to Accenture to do similar work in a different context.” Hood sparked discussion with students about real-world practices. “At its core, this work is about access and opportunity. When operating at our best, our work expands access, creates opportunities, and unlocks our full potential,” he said.

Early Engagement

One focus of the program was fostering early engagement with DEIB principles among first-year students. Minier-Jennings emphasized the importance of this approach, noting that targeted groups included cohorts from the Dean’s Academy, a program that allows students chosen for outstanding high school achievements and potential for success at Isenberg, and the Partners in Education residential academic program, which includes students from underrepresented populations to have academic access and opportunities in areas of business at Isenberg. "An important aspect of the event was bridging some of our first-year cohorts into our inaugural program,” said Minier-Jennings.

Gabriella McAllister ’28, who participated in the Executives-in-Residence program and is a part of the Partners in Education cohort, explained how both experiences have impacted her first year at UMass: “Being a part of the Partners in Education program has brought me friendships with super cool and interesting kids who come from different backgrounds. It has been a pleasure and extremely helpful to have classes, study, and live with them!”

Building Momentum for the Future

This event set the stage for future programs, bridging departments, academia, and cohorts like the Dean’s Academy and Partners in Education program with Isenberg's broader DEIB efforts. "We envision future programs to allow us to connect with more departments and initiatives across Isenberg,” said Minier-Jennings. “This cross-campus engagement strengthens the impact of DEIB efforts and fosters a truly inclusive community."

Plans are underway to host the next Executives-in-Residence Program in the Fall of 2025. To learn more about the Isenberg School of Management’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by visiting https://www.isenberg.umass.edu/diversity.