Apple has hired Intel’s chief diversity and inclusion officer as its own head of diversity. Barbara Whye will join the company early next year. The previous person in the role, Christie Smith, left Apple in 2019 (via Fortune).
Barbara Whye, D&I
Ms. Whye made it on Fortune’s list of Most Powerful Women in 2020. She joined Intel in 1995 to work on the company’s goal of diversifying its employee hiring. She helped Intel meet that goal two years ahead of schedule.
She will report to Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s SVP of retail and people. An Apple spokesperson gave the following statement:
An engineer by training and a globally-recognized leader on issues of representation in the technology industry, Barbara has spent 25 years at Intel, helping the company make meaningful and durable positive change. Now, she will bring her immense talents and deep experience to Apple, expanding our companywide effort to hire, develop and retain the world-class talent, at all levels, that reflects the communities we serve.