Embracing differences
From simply a clear business case more than 12 years ago, being diverse and inclusive is now a strategic imperative for Lenovo, says Yolanda Conyers, the firm's first chief diversity officer.
THERE were three things that Yolanda Conyers' father - a ship's cook who started out sweeping the galleys - had hoped for her when she was growing up. One, to get an education. Two, to travel around the world. And three, to embrace the unfamiliar. It is safe to say that Ms Conyers, the chief diversity officer (CDO) and vice president, Global HR of Lenovo, has ticked off all three items on his wish list.
Armed with a computer science degree and a Master's in international business, she has held various roles in areas ranging from supply chain to product development to HR in top global tech companies before landing her current role in Lenovo at the end of 2014.
And diving into the unknown is not foreign to Ms Conyers - she spent three years in Beijing as part of her Lenovo stint without knowing the Mandarin language at all.
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