Luxury fashion platform Saks announced today the appointment of Dr. Alicia Williams as Vice President, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).

Williams will join Saks ESG team, led by recently appointed SVP of ESG Cara Chacon, and in her new role will be responsible for advancing the progress of Saks’ DEI commitments across the organization while shaping its go-forward strategy, working with Saks’ DEI Council, Inclusion Advocates and employee resource groups.

Saks Chief People Officer Sarah Garber said:

“Delivering on our DEI commitments and ensuring an inclusive culture are priorities for our leadership team and our entire company, as they are the key to being a great place to work and best serving our diverse customers and partners. Alicia has an exceptional track record in launching and implementing DEI initiatives, and we look forward to benefiting from her deep expertise as we build on the progress we have made to date and strengthen our efforts across our business.” 

Williams joins Saks from Morgan Stanley, where she most recently served as Executive Director, Head of Diversity & inclusion for U.S Banks, responsible for leading the DEI strategy, talent management and impact for the business. Previously, she also served as VP and Diversity Lead and the Head of the North American Analyst and Associate campus recruiting program for JP Morgan’s Investment Banking, Wholesale Payments and Global Corporate Banking businesses. Williams has also held DEI leadership roles at universities across the U.S.

Williams, said:

“I’m thrilled to be joining an organization with a longstanding commitment to supporting the growth of every team member, using its platform to drive forward change and providing a best-in-class experience for its employees and customers. Saks’ progress on its DEI commitments is impressive, and I look forward to accelerating our efforts to champion diverse voices, foster a culture of belonging and increase our impact for our stakeholders and communities.”