• by Larissa Faw , March 4, 2021

Duncan Channon is strengthening its diversity, equity and inclusion programming by promoting Kumi Croom as its first DEI director.

In this new role Croom will take a two-pronged approach to driving equity across the agency and its work. She will be responsible for embedding an inclusive, culturally-sensitive mindset and collaborative process that she established for Duncan Channon’s largest client, the California Department of Health Tobacco Control Program, across the agency. 

She will also lead Duncan Channon’s DEI group, with a focus on equitable talent recruitment and retention, inclusive culture and ongoing anti-racism education for the agency.

She reports to CEO Andy Berkenfield and will work in close collaboration with agency’s creative leadership, as well as director of talent Allie Bart.

“Real change requires new thinking, resources, and commitment,” says Berkenfield. “Elevating Kumi as our first director of collaboration and equity will formalize and accelerate our ability to live our values, both inside the agency and through work we put into the world.”

Croom’s new leadership position builds on the formation of Duncan Channon’s DEI group which Croom helped spearhead in late 2019. She previously served as group account director after she was hired in 2017 to lead the agency’s largest client business, the California Department of Public Health Tobacco Control Program.