LAS VEGAS—BLACK ENTERPRISE (BE) magazine named MGM Resorts International’s Phyllis A. James, Chief Diversity & Corporate Responsibility Officer, as one of the “Most Powerful Women in Corporate Diversity.” James leads the company’s Corporate Diversity and Philanthropy Departments and is responsible for managing MGM Resorts’ policy, business strategy and initiatives focused on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) which includes the company’s diversity and inclusion, philanthropy and volunteer programs.
“Corporate responsibility is an anchor of our company’s character, values and culture, and is central to our employee engagement, customer and business expansion and reputation growth,” said Jim Murren, Chairman & CEO of MGM Resorts International. “Phyllis has been the architect of our diversity and inclusion strategy and practices and a staunch advocate of the advantage it brings to our spirit, our culture and our business; we are proud to call her one of our own.”
BE’s “Most Powerful Women in Corporate Diversity” identifies women who are vital to the management of major corporations, from marketing and talent development to procurement spending and financial performance, among other areas. This prestigious listing will be published in their upcoming First Quarter 2019 issue.
Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
Beyond her CSR activities, James is a director on the board of and special advisor to MGM Grand Detroit, LLC. Throughout her career, she has received several recognitions for her legal accomplishments and civic contributions. In 2015 she was admitted to the American Law Institute, the leading independent U.S. organization producing scholarly work to clarify, modernize and improve the law. In 2016 the National Bar Association conferred upon her a Lifetime Achievement Award.
She has also received many recognitions for her civic service. This year, James was named to receive the First Annual FOCUS (Feeding Our Community Unparalleled Success) Award presented by BlackDoctor.org. In 2017 she received the Human Rights Campaign’s Equality Award at the HRC Las Vegas Gala for outstanding leadership and service to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community; the “Community Achievement Award” from The Las Vegas Asian American Group; and the “Make An Impact” Leadership Award from Las Vegas’ City Impact Center.
In addition to the feature, BE will honor all of this year’s Most Powerful Women In Corporate America & Corporate Diversity during a special recognition ceremony at their annual Women of Power Summit: an exclusive networking opportunity with fellow top business leaders, motivational speakers and women CEOs, held February 28 through March 3, 2019, at The Mirage Hotel & Casino.
