The Max M. Fisher College of Business community recently gathered to celebrate the recipients of the college’s 2022 Diversity Awards. The in-person event honored individuals and organizations who, through their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, reflect the college’s ongoing commitment to creating and enhancing more diverse workplaces and workforces.

“We are honored to recognize the latest individuals and companies who share our college’s passion and determination to drive meaningful change through diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Cynthia Turner, assistant dean and chief diversity officer. “Our recipients should be proud of the work they and their organizations are doing. We, as a college, are honored to call them allies on our collective journey to a better and more equitable world.”

Recipients of the 2022 Individual Diversity Awards included Todd Corley, senior vice president of diversity and inclusion at Carhartt, and Sara Weil (BSBA '11), diversity, equity and inclusion strategist at Meta. The Corporate Diversity Award was presented to Big Lots.

In recommending Corley for the award, his nominator wrote: “Todd led efforts of diversity, equity and inclusion at Abercrombie & Fitch long before it became mainstream, moving that company rapidly into more inclusive waters. Since arriving at Carhartt, he's done the same. But, most importantly the Biden administration recently noticed his prowess in the space, and he was appointed by U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to serve a two-year term on the newly created, 15-member Equity Commission, to advance fairness and equity for all across the agricultural ecosystem.”

Weil’s nominator wrote: “Sara Weil is a proud alumna of Fisher and gives back to the college in so many ways while also having incredible success in her professional endeavors. Sara is currently a DEI strategist at Meta in New York City and has worked in the DEI space for several years. What I appreciate about Sara is that she brings this expertise back to the college and our students in so many ways: Sara annually provides DEI training to our students through an interactive and engaging session; she is a formal mentor to our students; and she has personally coached me in my journey to become a more inclusive leader and a better champion of DEI.”

Big Lots was recognized for a number highlights in championing DEI at Fisher and throughout its company. Big Lots is “a founding sponsor for our new finance THRIVE program and a leading donor, with $5,000 toward the program. It has helped us lead two important class sessions with the students focused on the power of relationships and networking, and the world of retail and how finance/accounting plays a pivotal role. Big Lots, in addition to advancing its work in diversity and corporate social responsibility is committed to Ohio State. The company currently employs more than 200 Ohio State graduates and will be restarting their internship program in 2023 with Fisher as the priority school.”

“On behalf of Fisher’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion Student Services and Corporate and Community Outreach (ODISSCCO), I am pleased to recognize all of our winners and nominees this year,” said David Harrison, senior director of ODISSCCO. “These individuals and companies have showed, year-in and year-out, what makes them truly special professionals and forward-thinking organizations!”

The Diversity Awards also presented an opportunity to recognize the pilot cohort of Fisher Inclusion Champions Program. The program was created to deepen Fisher’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by further educating Fisher community members about relevant DEI topics, and putting this knowledge into action through intentional engagement in DEI activities and projects that promote a more inclusive and equitable experience for all at Fisher and beyond. 

In all, 86 members of the Fisher community — faculty, staff and students — participated in the program, with 74 of them completing all facets of the program and earning designations as Fisher Inclusion Champions. The program will formally launch in fall 2022 as an annual college program in which Fisher students, faculty and staff commit to participating in at least two DEI training workshops and two college-approved DEI activities within the academic year.