Russell Reynolds

New York
Commercial and Professional Services

Risk Level:

Rating - Caution
Medium Risk

Summary:

Russell Reynolds Associates, an executive search firm, uses its corporate reputation to advance ideological causes hostile to freedom of expression. Russell Reynolds has promoted ESG principles, advocated for LGBTQ and DEI policies, and evaluated other companies' responses to the Black Lives Matter movement as inadequate. Russell Reynolds has used its corporate funds and reputation to advance ESG principles. While Russell Reynolds has not publicly terminated business relationships due to religious or political beliefs, the firm is launching a supplier diversity program. For these reasons, Russell Reynolds receives a Medium Risk rating.

Criteria
Risk Level
Rationale
Corporate Weaponization
Criteria

Has denied service to customers, suppliers, or vendors due to their political views or religious beliefs OR corporately boycotts, divests, or sanctions regions, people groups, or industries.

Risk Level
Rationale

Russell Reynolds Associates is starting a Supplier Diversity Program including DEI criteria and supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals in its business operations(1)(2). There are no publicly known cases of Russell Reynolds Associates terminating business relationships due to religious or political beliefs.

Criteria

Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.

Risk Level
Rationale

Russell Reynolds RRA Gives Back Program does not explicitly discriminate against religious charities (1). 

Criteria

Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.

Risk Level
Rationale

Russell Reynolds does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees (1)(2).

Corporate Governance and Public Policy
Criteria

Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

Russell Reynolds published a “Leader’s Guide to LGBTQ+ Talent Strategy” (1). Russell Reynolds has committed to achieving net zero emissions, discussed ESG topics with stakeholders, and tracked environmental data to advance ESG principles (2)(3)(4). Russell Reynolds signed onto the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge, has over 100 DEI consultants, and partners with many DEI organizations (5). Russell Reynolds analyzed 105 companies’ responses to Black Lives Matter, concluding that companies did not do enough (6). Russell Reynolds was hired by Planned Parenthood in search of a new CEO in 2018 (7). Russell Reynolds partnered with the United Nations Global Compact to product a report on sustainable business leaders, “urging a radical re-think on how C-suite and board leaders are selected” (8). RRA also partnered with Ariel Investments to develop “best practices, corporate diversity, and inclusion and encouraging Black directors to promote the civil rights agenda within their respective boardrooms” (9). Russell Reynolds Associates is a founding partner of the 30% Club Future Female Directors program, which aims to have 30% female directors on corporate boards (10).

Criteria

Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

Russell Reynolds has not corporately donated to ideological organizations hostile to freedom of expression.

Criteria

Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.

Risk Level
N/A
Rationale

Russell Reynolds does not operate a PAC at this time (1).

All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
March 23, 2023

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