Episode 36. Shameka Young – Cognizant

As Cognizant’s VP and Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion (D&I), Shameka Young is responsible for driving a more integrated global and regional approach to diversity and inclusion through data insights across the employee experience. She represents Cognizant as a founding partner on The World Economic Forum’s initiative on racial justice, and has been the Executive Sponsor for our African American and Latinx Affinity Group, most recently leading our response to racial unrest in the US. Shameka also serves as a Regional Advisor for our Women Empowered group. Prior to her role in D&I, Shameka spent more than eight years consulting in Cognizant’s Communications, Media and Technology (CMT) Practice. Before joining Cognizant, Shameka spent 14 years in Accenture’s Communications and High-Tech Practice, providing strategic and technical consulting services to national and global companies in the telecommunications, high-tech and retail industries  

Favorite Quote:

“Closed mouths don’t get fed.” 

Resources:

• Shameka on LinkedIn (Shameka-Young)
• Cognizant on Twitter (@Cognizant)
• WICT (Women in Cable and Telecommunication) 
• World Economic Forum
• Committed to building a more equitable and just workplace
• Three steps are required to join the initiative:
  • Racial and ethnic equity must be placed on the board’s agenda
  • Companies must make at least one commitment towards racial and ethnic justice in their organizations
  • Companies must put a long-term strategy in place towards becoming an anti-racist organization
• Making Juneteenth Count
• History of Juneteenth
• What is Juneteenth?
• 10 Things We Want White People to Do to Celebrate Juneteenth
• The Road to Gender Equality, One Conversation at a Time

Credits:

Shameka Young, Cognizant. Jennifer Schelling, Production Team: Nani Shin, Sheep Jam Productions, QodPod