“Diversity and inclusion is not a policy, it’s a philosophy,” says William T. Rolack, Sr., who has been helping companies drive their DE&I objectives for more than 15 years. To create real inclusivity within the workforce, employers must fully embrace, integrate and invest in DE&I across their organizations. “It’s about implementing D&I to impact the philosophy of the organization — not governing, not a policy.”
Currently VP of diversity and inclusion at Workforce Logiq, Rolack has held DE&I roles with Diversity Best Practices, Major League Baseball and Adecco Group North America.
Rolack’s proudest accomplishment is a strategy he is now implementing at Workforce Logiq: proving the business case of building revenue through DE&I initiatives. “I entered the DE&I space with the mindset of showing its impact on business,” he says.
At Adecco, in 2010, he had leveraged DE&I as a sales tool and differentiator in the RFP process, resulting in $60 million additional annual bill dollars in the program’s first 36 months — and his DE&I department was moved from a cost center into a profit center.
Rolack received the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources’ highest honor — the Trailblazer Award — in 2021 for his association leadership, being a global thought leader and his work in advancing the mission of the organization. In addition, he has received a proclamation from the New York City Council for his work as a mentor and professional coach and for his contributions in the human resources field. He has been featured in myriad publications and presented at World Diversity Leadership Summits, Harvard University and the International Monetary Fund.
He refers to DE&I work as “legacy work” and considers it all the more important in light of the events of the past year. “This work is not for the weak or faint at heart,” Rolack advises. “Have emotional fortitude to speak your truth, stand in your position of purpose and of power to impact the world.”
2023 DE&I Influencers List