I am a big believer in the importance of hiring diversity. Group think is real, it’s dangerous and can lead agencies to stay in their comfort zone and not innovate. A lot of negative press discusses racial considerations in hiring but any strong and creative group seeks diversity of all types. DEI is not solely about race and gender, it’s urban, suburban, rural, different educational experiences, different past occupations. When I hired for my agency, I made sure to interview applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds with relevant experience.

I think it’s great that Kamela Harris is of Jamaican hertiage and a woman. I am sure she will pick somebody as vice president who is not like that. That’s good, diversity matters. And for her cabinet, I am sure she will continue the long running tradition of hiring at least one Republican, along with several men and women, some African Americans and Asians, some people from the ivy league and big cities, others who grew up on the farm or went to state colleges. Heck, even Trump’s pick for Vice President is a DEI pick – coming from a small town compared to New York City raised Trump.