Cecilia Stanton Adams

Cecilia Stanton Adams is a prominent leader in the field of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), currently serving as the CEO of both Stanton Adams Consulting and The Diversity Institute. With over 20 years of experience, she has established herself as a strategic expert in DEI initiatives.

Background and Education

Cecilia grew up in New York with roots in Honduras, which shaped her commitment to bridging cultural gaps. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology, focusing on race's impact on college completion, and has a Master’s degree in sociology and industrial psychology. Additionally, she completed a research fellowship in Cognitive Psychology at Lehigh University, where she studied unconscious bias.14

Career Path

In 2010, Cecilia co-founded Stanton Adams Consulting with her wife, Malissa Adams. Their mission was to assist organizations in addressing DEI challenges across various sectors. Recognizing the need for systemic change, Cecilia launched The Diversity Institute in 2021 after serving as the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Allianz Life. This initiative aims to provide a supportive community for DEI practitioners through education, training, and mentorship.156

Impact and Philosophy

Cecilia's approach emphasizes the importance of cultural awareness as a foundational step for organizations striving for inclusivity. She believes that effective DEI strategies require not just training but also ongoing support and community engagement to address deeper systemic issues.23 Her work continues to influence how organizations navigate the complexities of diversity in today's workforce.

Cecilia can be found on LinkedIn under the username cstanton, where she shares insights and connects with other professionals in the DEI space.4