Cleveland Clinic Appoints Jacqui Robertson as Chief of Diversity and Inclusion

Cleveland Clinic has appointed Jacqui Robertson as Chief of Diversity and Inclusion, effective March 1. In this role, Robertson will oversee the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and lead global diversity and inclusion strategies and initiatives across the health system.

This role builds on the organization’s work that focuses on local hiring, inclusive employee resource groups and a commitment to OneTen, a coalition of 37 of the largest United States employers to train, hire and promote one million Black Americans over the next 10 years.

“Having a diverse workforce, one that is representative of the patients we serve, is essential to creating healthcare equity,” said Kelly Hancock, DNP, Chief Caregiver Officer. “We are excited to have Jacqui joining us. Her experience and human-centered approach aligns with our commitment to strengthening our culture that embraces diversity, inclusion and equity.”

Robertson brings nearly 20 years of national and international experience in leading diversity and inclusion strategies in the financial services and industrial supply industries.

“I believe the health, wellbeing and sense of belonging of our talent must be our priority,” said Robertson. “Equally important is our relentless focus on building a pipeline for new talent and welcoming them to Cleveland Clinic in a manner that underscores our commitment to building a culture of belonging. I’m proud to be part of the Cleveland Clinic family and I look forward to contributing to the organization’s mission.”

Robertson joins Cleveland Clinic from William Blair & Company, a multinational independent investment bank and financial services company in Chicago, where she was the global head of talent, diversity and inclusion since 2016.

Prior to that, she was a senior director of inclusion and diversity at WW Grainger. Robertson held senior leadership positions at ING America. As vice president, head of diversity, she designed and implemented diversity strategy for the areas of workforce, vendors, customers and community inclusion. She became global head of diversity and inclusion for ING in Amsterdam, returning to the United States in 2011 as ING’s vice president of marketing and business development.

Robertson serves on several boards, including The Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp); the leading authority on next practices in human capital; where she serves as the chair of i4cp’s Chief Diversity Officer Board. Robertson also serves on the board of The Chicago Sinfonietta, an American orchestra that is acclaimed as a cultural leader and advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion. She is a steering committee member of the Chicago Executive’s Club Diversity & Inclusion Council.

Robertson holds a bachelor of arts degree in behavioral sciences from The University of Chicago, and is a Six Sigma executive green belt. She is a certified facilitator in several training programs, including mitigation approaches for unconscious bias and coaching for minorities and re-entry workers.