Bob Nash, CEO at Bob J. Nash and Associates and former chief of staff for Bill Clinton, hosts Walton MBA Conversation, “Diversity and Inclusion: The Past, Present and Future.”
Special thank you to FTMBA student Johnathan Gaiters for helping facilitate the event.
Nash, who served as assistant director to the president and director of presidential personnel for the White House in the last six years of the Clinton Administration, said his first job as a young adult was chopping cotton for two dollars a day in rural Arkansas.
He rose to his White House position where he was responsible for directing the recruitment, nomination and confirmation of presidential appointees. Nash said that at that time he had the most diverse White House staff in American history.
Nash shared his experience of working with world leaders and indicated that Nelson Mandela was one of the most remarkable and influential people he ever met. Nash told students that it was inspiring to meet someone who embraced the very people who had jailed him and admired Mandela’s emphasis that people are not better or worse just because of the color of their skins.
Nash discussed with students the importance of companies prioritizing diversity and inclusion in their business culture and the benefits a diverse workforce can bring an employer.
“It’s critical for the success of a corporation,” he said. “Not only is it ethical but it’s equitable. As demographics of American customers change, we need a workforce that can be responsive to them.” Nash pointed to companies such as Walmart, who champion a mantra of diversity and inclusion, and the innovative ways they have continued to be successful, as an example of the value of a diverse workforce.
He encouraged students to broaden their professional networks past a small circle of similar colleagues and to reach out to individuals from different races and backgrounds.
“I believe this is the best way to address bias because you can learn from them and challenge your past beliefs,” he said. He also emphasized the benefits it will have when hiring. “In business, we recruit from our professional networks. Most people only know people who are similar to them, so it makes it difficult to hire diversely.”
Nash advocated for students to go beyond just ensuring there is diversity in the workforce but to facilitate a culture of inclusion. He suggested this could be achieved by offering mentorship, training and positions of responsibility to people of color.
The Walton MBA Program was honored to have Nash speak to our students and is proud of our students for engaging in thoughtful discussions about race and equality.
Watch the video below to see a video of part of the discussion:
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