One on One With RSM's Candice Eaton-Gaul

2020 was a challenging year on many fronts. The coronavirus pandemic crisis took a back seat in the news cycle over the summer as the U.S. faced a generational reckoning on systemic racism and the many ways the status quo is unfair, or even dangerous, to communities of color. As part of this reckoning, companies have doubled down on efforts to foster diverse and inclusive workplaces. Candice Eaton-Gaul was recently named Diversity & Inclusion Leader at RSM, charged with implementing strategies that aim to attract, develop, and retain a diverse workforce at the firm. Consulting recently caught up with Eaton-Gaul to talk about her new role, the importance of diversity and inclusion in the profession, and how companies are working to right past wrongs and create a more equitable future for all.

Consulting: What will your primary focus be in your new role as D&I leader at RSM?

Eaton-Gaul: As the newly appointed leader for D&I, my overarching priority is to build on the good work that has already been done by RSM Member Firms. My priorities are to foster greater connectivity between our Member Firms and our people, to increase cross-cultural understanding, to increase awareness of unconscious bias and help to create an even more effective platform across RSM for encouraging diverse talent, ideas and an open, positive and responsive business environment.