Burlington Diversity Chief Mecca Mitchell on Sustainable DEI Ecosystems and Cultural Intelligence
In this episode of Women in Retail Talks, Women in Retail Leadership Circle Senior Editor Marie Albiges interviews Mecca Mitchell, senior vice president and chief diversity officer at Burlington, a nationally recognized off-price retailer offering apparel, baby, beauty, footwear, accessories, home, toys, gifts and coats. Listen in as Mitchell discusses the scope of her role at Burlington (1:08), how the entire organization is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) work (2:40), and her non-linear career journey in law and DEI (3:46). She shares why she decided to begin advocating for DEI in the retail industry (7:00), the biggest challenges she faced when she joined Burlington during the COVID-19 pandemic (8:37), and the initiatives she’s most proud of implementing at the retailer (10:40).
Mitchell shares advice for other retail leaders looking to create a sustainable DEI ecosystem to drive business growth (13:25), her best practices around mentorship (15:22), and how women in retail can find a great mentor (17:57). Lastly, she encourages women to be bold, confident and competent at work (19:35), her advice for the next generation of female retail leaders who want to make an impact (20:37), and how leaders can build their cultural intelligence (22:26).
As the senior vice president and chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at Burlington Stores, Inc., Mitchell is responsible for leading efforts to create supportive and equitable institutional structures, fostering welcoming and inclusive environments, and cultivating a culture that leverages diversity, inclusion, and equity best practices to drive business objectives, while responding to the diverse needs of its workforce, its customers, and the communities it serves. Prior to this position, she served as the senior vice president of diversity, inclusion and community engagement for the Westchester Medical Center Health Network. She has also served as the chief diversity officer for the State of New York, and the executive director of equal employment opportunity and diversity management for the New York City Department of Education, the largest school district in the country.
Mitchell began her legal career as an assistant district attorney in the New York County (Manhattan) District Attorney’s Office. She holds certifications from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations in diversity management and equal employment opportunity studies. Mitchell, who is licensed to practice law in both New York and New Jersey, graduated from Hofstra University’s School of Law in June 2000 and is a graduate of the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany, where she double majored in criminal justice and political science.
Date: March 7, 2023
Credits: Mecca Mitchell
Duration: 25:54
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