16 Jul 2013 15:00
Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE: MMC), a global professional services firm providing advice and solutions in risk, strategy, and human capital, announced today that Nicole Gardner has been appointed Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer. Her appointment is effective July 15.
In her new role, Ms. Gardner is responsible for driving cultural and organizational change at Marsh & McLennan Companies, working with leadership to promote a vibrant, inclusive, and diverse culture across the global enterprise. She will sit on Marsh & McLennan Companies’ Diversity Council and be a member of the HR Executive Team. She reports to Chief Human Resources Officer Laurie Ledford.
Ms. Gardner was a partner at Oliver Wyman, where she most recently led its General Consulting Group. Oliver Wyman is a global leader in management consulting, and a subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies. At Oliver Wyman, she also played a key leadership role in its Inclusion & Diversity efforts, establishing and managing the function, and serving as a member of the Inclusion Council. An active supporter of Oliver Wyman’s employee resource groups (ERGs), Ms. Gardner co-founded and was Executive Sponsor of Gay & Lesbians at Oliver Wyman (GLOW), as well as co-founder and Senior Advisor to Women at Oliver Wyman (WOW). For her work as Executive Sponsor of GLOW, she was recognized as a finalist for an “Outie” award by Out & Equal (a US organization that advocates equality for LGBT employees in the workplace).
Ms. Gardner began her career with Oliver Wyman right out of university, consulting on strategy and operations projects, before shifting into a part-time role in firm management for several years, to accommodate her family responsibilities. Over time, she led several strategic functions within Human Capital management, including recruiting and training. In 1999, Ms. Gardner was appointed Chief Human Capital Officer, a role she held for over a dozen years.
“Nicole has done excellent work at Oliver Wyman and I am confident that her extensive human capital background, strategic expertise, and passion for diversity and inclusion make her the right person to lead our diversity efforts forward at the enterprise level,” said Ms. Ledford.
Ms. Gardner holds a BA in Economics from Wellesley College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She is a member of the Wellesley College Business Leadership Council and the Academy of Women Leaders.
About Marsh & McLennan Companies
MARSH & McLENNAN COMPANIES (NYSE: MMC) is a global professional services firm offering clients advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy, and human capital. Marsh is a global leader in insurance broking and risk management; Guy Carpenter is a global leader in providing risk and reinsurance intermediary services; Mercer is a global leader in talent, health, retirement, and investment consulting; and Oliver Wyman is a global leader in management consulting. Marsh & McLennan Companies’ approximately 54,000 colleagues worldwide provide analysis, advice, and transactional capabilities to clients in more than 100 countries. The Company prides itself on being a responsible corporate citizen and making a positive impact in the communities in which it operates. Visit www.mmc.com for more information.
MEDIA:Marsh & McLennan CompaniesLaura Cora, +1-212-345-2731laura.cora@mmc.comorINVESTORS:Marsh & McLennan CompaniesKeith Walsh, +1-212-345-0057keith.walsh@mmc.com
Copyright Business Wire 2013