Company that offers talent, entertainment, and sports UTALindsay Wagner was named the agency’s first chief diversity officer, it announced Tuesday.
Wagner comes to UTA from a position as SVP and head of diversity & inclusion, North America, at global communications consulting firm Ketchum. In her new post, she will expand strategy for the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
“Entertainment sits at the cross-section of culture, storytelling and influence and therefore it’s critical that we collectively continue to identify and amplify authentic representation inside and outside of the organization,”Wagner said this in a statement. “I am honored to join UTA and contribute to this purpose-led team focused on building a more diverse, equitable and inclusive community and industry now and for generations to come.”
In the statement, UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer stated that. “As UTA grows, we must continue to cultivate a more diverse, multifaceted and inclusive culture. Lindsay has a proven track record of pushing the envelope and leading with a fresh and unique perspective. I am confident that she will bring ingenuity to this new role and will be a great steward for the cause.”
Jean-Rene Zetrenne, UTA partner and chief people officers, added that. “I’m thrilled to welcome Lindsay to the UTA family. With her wide-ranging experience and expertise, we know that she will elevate our mission to foster an inclusive environment, which allows for our colleagues to thrive and will attract the most inspiring and dynamic people to our company.”
Wagner, who is based in Los Angeles reports to Zimmer and Zetrenne.
In the new post, Wagner’s oversight will include the company’s previously-announced $1 million commitment to social justice causes. The company also announced a series internal initiatives such as raising entry-level pay, training employees on unconscious bias, and promoting senior agents from color to the UTA Board and Partnership.
Wagner, at Ketchum, facilitated the partnership between the HBCU Week Fund and worked across Omnicom to help establish the first-ever global Town Hall for Black employees. This helped to create the Black Together Employee Resource Group, which supports Black employees. Prior to that, Wagner worked for Brandware Public Relations as an Account Manager for eight years.
Wagner serves as a jury member for The ADCOLOR Awards, which celebrates professionals of color in creative industries; is a strategic advisor for Kindred Space LA, one of the few Black-owned birthing centers, is an advisor for SOVERN, a feminist-centered platform and community center focused on the healing and support of Black and Indigenous women and gender non-binary people; and as an advisory board member for The Lantern Network, which is committed to the advancement of Black youth, among many other diversity and justice-related affiliations.
