MLT Rising Leaders Forge a Diverse Talent Pipeline at Disney
I am excited to share that three MLT Rising Leaders have been recognized as high potential operations leaders after graduating Walt Disney World’s Emerging Leaders Program. 2014 MLT Career Prep Alumni Danielle Moore, Rick Rodriguez, and myself were recognized among a select group of 38 cast members at the Emerging Leaders Graduation this past November at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
The Emerging Leaders Program is a highly selective 8-week program that provides rigorous classroom and practical role development in Operations. With over 6,000 salaried leaders at Walt Disney World, selection for the program is an accolade honoring the exemplary leadership of MLT’ers.
Danielle, Rick, and I are forging a path for underrepresented minorities of color by piloting a newly created Operational Leadership Development Program at Walt Disney World. We comprise the inaugural group of three cast members who are forging a leadership pipeline for future rising leaders at the world’s most visited vacation resort.
Disney’s Emerging Leader Program and Operational Leadership Development Program are crucial examples of how investment in diversity can stem far beyond talent acquisition. By including diverse talent in both existing channels of talent planning and partnering to create new channels adept to the challenges minorities face in reaching leadership, it creates an environment of inclusivity yet drives change. It tackles the reality that addressing diversity is not a one size fits all solution.
Walt Disney World is the largest single site employer in the US and being at the forefront of an organizational change of this magnitude is a tremendous honor. It makes me proud to know that we’re all working hard at Disney to ensure that we represent the diverse globalized world we inspire everyday and empower our cast to make their dreams come true.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Walt Disney Company.
