James White has over 25 years’ experience in Human Capital Management at Fortune 100 and 500 financial services firms including Merrill Lynch, Bank of America, and Credit Suisse. Most notably, James was selected as the first Head of Diversity & Inclusion first at OppenheimerFunds and then at Lord Abbett where he was tasked with building cultural competency and credibility in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Currently, James is the principal owner of a private consulting firm where he works as a public speaker, consultant, and coach, specializing in developing best-in-class people strategies that enable employees to thrive.
James has served in a variety of nonprofit executive board roles including President of the Board for Amas Musical Theatre, member of the YWCA Impact Investing Advisory Council, member of the PFLAG Business Advisory Board, Treasurer for All In Together, a women’s civic engagement advocacy organization, and member of the AXS Map Advisory Board, an organization focused on accessibility for the disability community through their proprietary app.
James also works as a nonprofit board consultant where he empowers boards through strategy development, impact frameworks, and governance. James is currently working in a strategic advisory capacity with the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Antigua and Barbuda and the American Songbook Association.
Recently James served as a guest judge in the Association of Junior Leagues International (ALJI) Awards Program recognizing women ALJI leaders across the Unites States driving sustainable change through innovation and disruption in their communities.
As a guest speaker, James recently participated in a fireside chat at Columbia University where he provided thought leadership on talent sourcing, recruiting, and onboarding through the lens of Human Capital Management and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion best practices. He also served as a guest speaker at the Women’s World Banking event: Engaging Men in Finance to Increase Gender-Diverse Leadership.
Within the theater community, James served as Co-Producer of the musical Goldstein and as Associate Producer of the play Less Than 50%.
In May, the American Songbook Association’s awarded James the Bill Sensenbrenner Dream Maker Award honoring leaders in the business community who demonstrate a passion for investing in the cultural capital of our youth.
