Statewide economic development organization embeds an equity, inclusion & diversity focus to its mission through programming, membership, and leadership
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Monday, July 13, 2020
Watertown, MA – For over 25 years, MassEcon’s mission has been to promote and champion Massachusetts as the best place to start, grow and locate a business. MassEcon, the non-profit that provides a wide range of economic development services on behalf of the Commonwealth, has adopted a new mission that explicitly embeds new equity, inclusion & diversity language throughout its core operating model – “enhancing job growth across diverse talent pools; promoting investments in all communities; and expanding equitable opportunities through The Commonwealth.”
Over the last five years, MassEcon proactively began an intentional effort at the Board level to make sure the Board Nominating process curated a diverse slate of leadership candidates. In 2019, MassEcon’s Board of Directors formally launched a Diversity & Inclusion Task Force co-chaired by Geoff Howell, Partner at DLA Piper LLP and Taidgh McClory, Founder and Social Impact Entrepreneur with T.H. McClory, LLC. Charged with defining ways to integrate diversity, equity & inclusion strategies throughout MassEcon’s mission, the Task Force is actively developing concrete actions to integrate DE&I practices through the organizations event programming, corporate membership and board leadership.
“The Massachusetts economy is often touted as being one the most innovative and competitive ecosystems in the country; however, when it comes to diversity, inclusion & equity Greater Boston and The Commonwealth faces challenges from past history of systemic racism,” stated task force co-chair Taidgh McClory, Founder and Social Impact Entrepreneur with T.H. McClory, LLC. “With a greater focus on economic equity, opportunities in all communities, and the importance of an inclusive ecosystem, our hope is that MassEcon can help The Commonwealth write a new narrative that celebrates those companies and leaders in the region who have successfully integrated diversity, inclusion & equity as a core part of their business strategies.”
MassEcon’s core programs include marketing Massachusetts beyond its borders as a destination for businesses, providing site location services to the state, developing business intelligence and economic research, and maintaining the Ready Mass 100 database of shovel- and move-in ready land sites and buildings.
“These diversity and inclusion principles will find their way into every aspect of MassEcon’s extensive programs and events,” confirmed Geoff Howell, task force co-chair and Partner at DLA Piper LLP, US. “The adoption of these new and modified mission statements reflects our duty to be a more inclusive organization, and this renewed focus is a great expression of the commitment of our Board to expand economic opportunities in the Commonwealth to a more diverse and inclusive set of stakeholders.”
Initial actions by MassEcon with the refreshed mission include a survey of its members on D&I practices, development of new marketing focused on recruitment to Massachusetts of talented persons of color and minority-led businesses, and inclusion of company diversity accomplishments as a criteria for MassEcon’s Annual Team Massachusetts Economic Impact Awards.
MassEcon’s new D&I Mission Statement and revised organizational Mission Statement follow.
Revised MassEcon Mission Statement
MassEcon’s mission is to promote and champion Massachusetts as the best place to start, grow, and locate a business. Built upon a robust network of corporate and civic members, MassEcon convenes public and private sector leaders of industry to create an inclusive business ecosystem that enhances job growth across a diverse talent pool; promotes investment in all communities; expands equitable opportunities throughout the Commonwealth.
MassEcon Diversity & Inclusion Mission
As a champion of Massachusetts, MassEcon seeks to actively support diversity, inclusion and equity practices among both corporate and civic stakeholders, in a way that positions the Commonwealth as a highly desirable place for local and global businesses who value diversity, inclusion, and equity as core components of their business strategy.
For more information, go to www.massecon.com.
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