DiversityInc - October 2007

ROY WEATHERS

Roy Weathers
PricewaterhouseCoopers

The phrase “ perception is reality” is thrown around often to explain human behavior. It’s a concept Roy Weathers, who in June was named chief diversity officer at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), accepts—to a point.

“I’m an African-American man,” says Weathers. “I know culturally there are things I may have perceptions about vis-à-vis the workplace that in some instances may be true, in some instances they may not. History shows that maybe I can’t trust you.”

But Weathers knows that’s not an absolute truth because so few of his mentors looked like him. “So by default, there’s a lot of trust there,” he says. “My point to the African-American community is that if you don’t extend the arm

to create a trusting relationship, that comes out. For me, the challenge is how you keep that push-pull moving forward in a balanced way so that everyone benefits.”

It requires a conscious effort to understand another’s perspective and the life experiences that shape thoughts, behavior and decision-making styles. It’s a lesson Weathers learned from his mother, who told him that you can’t just look at someone and figure out their whole life.

“We’re only as good as our people and we’re only as connected as our leadership,” Weathers says.

He joined the firm, No. 12 in The 2007 DiversityInc Top

50 Companies for Diversity®, in 1991 and made partner in 2002. He reports directly to U.S. Senior Partner and Chairman Dennis Nally as a member of the firm’s U.S. leadership team. “Diversity is about how I can make you feel valued, no matter what you bring to the table in terms of your diverse background,” Weathers says.

—Jennifer Millman

people & places

LORNA DONATONE

Lorna Donatone Sodexho

Think you have a hectic morning? Try being responsible for feeding 1 million children every day.

Lorna Donatone faces that challenge as president of School Services at Sodexho. To appeal to the varying cultural nuances of the 470 school districts that Sodexho services, Donatone’s team must be culturally competent original thinkers.

According to Donatone, only 20 percent of U.S. school districts outsource their food business. Sodexho stands above its competitors by being culturally competent with its food menus. Her team customizes menus based on the demographics of the students—so, for example, a school in Texas will have a different lunch menu than one in Wisconsin.

“I require a diverse team because that’s where we get creativity. We need to develop products for all walks of life and all parts of the country,” she says.

Donatone and her team partner with local food providers to better respond to student needs. Donatone is considering a partnership with the Culinary Institute of America in San Antonio, Texas, to focus on Latino foods. Sodexho’s School Services division also worked with the American Center for Wine, Food, & the Arts in California’s Napa Valley to educate students about nutritious foods.

Donatone joined the company in 1999 as chief financial officer of Sodexho’s Spirit Cruises. Prior to that position, Donatone was chief financial officer of Comsearch; was vice president and controller of Dominion Bank (Washington region); and worked on the audit staff of Touche Ross & Co. (now Deloitte & Touche, No. 19 on the Top 50 list).