In recognition of Global Diversity Awareness Month, IMA^? (Institute of Management Accountants) is pleased to announce it recently named Darryl Jackson, CAE, IOM, as its new director of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I). Jackson is responsible for oversight of IMA?s DE&I activities, furthering the association?s commitment to cultivating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture among IMA members and the accounting and finance profession at large.

As director of DE&I, Jackson is leading IMA?s efforts toward creating more opportunities for all accounting professionals and closing a profession-wide diversity gap. He is also guiding solutions to drive pipeline development, recruitment, and retention in the accounting profession. Certified by Cornell University in Diversity and Inclusion, Jackson is employing his philosophy focused on four primary areas: access, exposure, recognition, and development.

Said Jackson, ?I look forward to serving in this role and to continuing the work that IMA has already started in this important arena. One of the chief challenges I aim to help address is ensuring there are opportunities for all accounting and finance professionals, because while talent is equally distributed, opportunities are not. I will continue to work with our partners, including NABA and ALPFA, as well as cultivate new relationships with HBCU schools.?

IMA?s recent Diversifying U.S. Accounting Talent: A Critical Imperative to Achieve Transformational Outcomes?report outlined the need for DE&I in the profession for both recruitment and retention.

?DE&I should be a strategic priority for every organization. In accounting and finance, we need to raise the awareness of biases and the talent pipeline needs to expand and diversify to ensure long-term success for the profession,? said Jeff Thomson, CMA, CSCA, CAE, IMA president and CEO. ?Darryl brings a fresh approach to drive these efforts forward.?

Jackson also serves as liaison to IMA?s DE&I Committee, composed of IMA volunteers focused on creating and providing DE&I resources. Jackson noted he is currently in the process of helping IMA?s Education and Career Services team create a new five-part e-learning course on the topic of DE&I.

Prior to joining IMA, Jackson served as a DE&I consultant for Marlon Moore Consulting. Before that, he served as the director of membership acquisition and engagement for the New York State Society of CPAs (NYSSCPA). He holds a bachelor?s degree in Agricultural Business and Economics from Virginia State University as well as an MBA from the University of Maryland University College. He is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and is accredited by the U.S. Department of Commerce?s Institute of Organization Management.

To learn more about IMA?s commitment to DE&I, please visit https://www.imanet.org/about-ima/diversity-and-inclusion.
?