Recognition
In 2005, our depth of expertise in the area of women and leadership was formally recognized with the creation of the Deloitte Ellen Gabriel Chair for Women and Leadership. The Chair recognizes the leading roles both the Deloitte U.S. Firms* and the Simmons School of Management play in developing cutting-edge research, education, and practice to ensure the advancement of women as leaders in corporate America. The Chair was named to honor Ellen Gabriel, the pioneering and inspirational partner at the Deloitte U.S. Firms who designed and initially led the Deloitte U.S. Firms' highly successful Initiative for the Retention and Advancement of Women. The Initiative not only led to the Deloitte U.S. Firms' national recognition as one of the best places to work, it revolutionized the industry and resulted in the development of The Leading Edge executive education program for women partners and directors at the SOM.
The Chair is held by Dr. Deborah Kolb, former executive director of the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School and an internationally recognized expert on gender issues in negotiation and other forms of conflict management.
* The term "the Deloitte U.S. Firms" is a collective reference to Deloitte & Touche USA LLP and its subsidiaries.