Denise Young Smith has been appointed Apple’s the company’s Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion. In her new role, Denise will be working upon maintaining the work culture as well as ensuring that the hiring system is transparent and provides equal opportunities to everyone regardless of their race or religion.
Before this, Smith was the head of worldwide human resource at Apple. She held this position for three years and was heavily involved with diversity withing the company. Now, Denise will report directly to Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Interestingly, this also pinpoints the greater importance the role is being given. Before Denise, the head of inclusion and diversity was a director level position. Now its VP level and with direct access to the leadership, Smith has the potential to be that much more effective.
Smith will be working within a company that worldwide, is 56 percent white, 19 percent Asian, 12 percent Hispanic and 9 percent black. Apple also has around 68 percent men as compared to 31 percent women. So Smith’s job will basically be making these numbers even more equal.
