IPG Mediabrands and Kinesso announce the appointment of Aisha Suleiman as the network’s first head of diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) for the EMEA region. In this newly created role, Suleiman will oversee the agency network’s efforts in DE&I strategy, planning and execution, holding local leadership accountable to the global network’s diversity commitments and goals and fostering more collaboration and connection across the region.
Suleiman’s appointment follows the hire of Hermon Ghermay, global chief culture officer, in September 2020, and is a further testament to the importance that the company is placing on creating a culture of equity and excellence and in becoming even more representative and inclusive in both its make-up and its output.
Reporting into both Debbie Brooks, chief talent officer for EMEA, and Hermon Ghermay, Suleiman will sit on the regional executive leadership team and will partner with senior Mediabrands and Kinesso stakeholders across the region to define the desired organisational culture necessary to drive large-scale cultural change initiatives within our complex business environment.
An award-winning diversity and inclusion champion, Suleiman joins with a wealth of experience in developing programs that drive positive change and improve opportunities for all. Her most recent role at Amazon combined working with educational institutions across EMEA to promote cloud computing skills, with being the chair and executive board lead of the Amazon Black Employee Network. She is also the founder of The Inclusive Culture, an Inclusion Board Member for the Rugby Football League and the founder of The World in Her Words.
Suleiman was recognized on the Empower 100 Ethnic Minority Future Leaders List 2020, as well as being named as an Investing in Ethnicity Top 8 BAME Future Leader.
“Aisha is a highly impressive, creative and culturally aware individual with an instinctive approach to human behaviour, along with a sound appreciation of individual differences in ability, personality and motivations. We’re delighted that she has chosen to join us, as we put even more focus on our DE&I efforts across the business. I’m confident that she will be pivotal in helping us achieving our goals across the region, acting as a key influencer amongst senior stakeholders and gaining their commitment to initiatives that will create long-term value for the organization,” says Christian Johansen, CEO, IPG Mediabrands EMEA.
Adrian Hallek-Jones, regional director MENAT, People & Talent, “We are thrilled that Aisha has joined us and are looking forward to working with her to accelerate our DE&I journey. Aisha’s reputation for building programs of work that inspire community and culture will help us to continue to dissolve any barriers to becoming even more inclusive.”
Suleiman added: “As a leading global media network, Mediabrands holds a huge amount of power and influence when it comes to taking the lead in advocating for diversity and inclusion through work that reaches millions across the globe. I’m excited to be joining Christian, Hermon and the wider team to help weave a fairer and more equitable approach through the fabric of the Mediabrands and Kinesso business, creating a community and culture that drives better outcomes for us, our clients, and the wider world.”
Suleiman will join on 10th May and will be based in London, the Mediabrands and Kinesso EMEA HQ.
