Ryan Parker

Ryan Parker is the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion+ at CGI, a global IT and business consulting firm. He joined CGI in March 2021 with the mission to enhance the company's diversity initiatives and position it among the top quartile of organizations in the tech and consulting sectors for diversity.

Professional Background: Parker brings over 20 years of experience across various industries, including healthcare, higher education, and entertainment. Before his role at CGI, he served as Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at several prominent institutions such as Children's Hospital Los Angeles, KentuckyOne Health, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. His extensive background also includes leadership roles in diversity efforts at the University of Pittsburgh and the Association of American Medical Colleges.123

Achievements and Initiatives: Throughout his career, Parker has been recognized for leading nationally acclaimed DE&I strategies that significantly improved racial and gender diversity within organizations. He is known for designing comprehensive DE&I frameworks that integrate these principles into the core business strategies of organizations. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including being named one of Diversity MBA Magazine's "Top 100 Executives Under 50" in 2015 and Becker's Hospital Review's "Top 25 Leaders Under 40" in 2014.123

At CGI, Parker focuses on embedding DE&I into the company's culture and operational strategies. He emphasizes that DE&I initiatives should be "baked in" rather than "bolted on," ensuring they are integral to CGI's overall mission and success.3 His leadership has also involved partnerships aimed at increasing underrepresented groups' participation in STEM fields, such as initiatives targeting young women through programs like the "IT Girl Challenge".5

Education: Parker holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Jacksonville State University in Alabama. He has also completed graduate coursework at George Washington University and Saint Joseph's University.24

In summary, Ryan Parker is a seasoned leader in diversity and inclusion with a robust track record of implementing effective strategies across multiple sectors, making significant contributions to fostering inclusive environments within organizations.