The Diversity Movement makes first c-level hire

RALEIGH – The Diversity Movement has appointed its first c-level executive to the Raleigh-based startup’s leadership team. Kristie Jones-Davis will now serve as the organization’s chief financial officer, joining co-founder and CEO Donald Thompson at the helm of the company.

In a statement, Thompson noted that the organization is committed to building its own leadership capabilities, noting that the company “is led by a group of strong women leaders who have powered our phenomenal growth and critically acclaimed products.”

Davis holds an MBA from the Lundy-Fetterman School of Business at Campbell University. She has more than two decades of leadership experience in accounting, operations, technology, and financial services, according to a LinkedIn profile.

“I have seen firsthand how Kristie’s leadership has made our organization more collaborative and profitable while concentrating on building a sense of belonging that ripples through the team,” said Thompson.

Inside Black-owned Diversity Movement’s strategy to find a venture capital investor

Growth ahead

According to the company, the addition of Davis to the executive team, the first c-suite appointment for the company, will play “a significant role in helping The Diversity Movement achieve its growth objectives.”

The startup has more than 100 clients, according to a statement.

“As CFO, I am responsible for creating and overseeing long-term financial growth and operational excellence at The Diversity Movement,” said Davis, in a statement. “As a Black, woman leader though, I realize that I am in a position that few women of color have achieved, so I am pleased that my commitment to TDM’s mission and values have given Donald and our investor group faith in my effort to create a sustainable, truly world-changing organization.”

Thompson moved into a full-time CEO role with the organization last summer. This summer, the organization pushed to raise capital, including from Durham-based venture capital firm Resilient Ventures.

Last week, WRAL TechWire reported on a behind-the-scenes look at how Thompson and The Diversity Movement are approaching raising capital to scale the company.

Thompson is also a regular contributor to WRAL TechWire.