Zing Shaw possesses a strong background, broad internal client base, and an extensive skill set in diversity & inclusion, human resources and change management. Currently, Shaw leads the firm’s diversity and inclusion function across all U.S. offices. She works directly with senior stakeholders to lead the implementation of the firm’s diversity and inclusion strategy, workplace initiatives, programs, and events in an effort to facilitate growth rates in Edelman’s ethnic and cultural diversity composition. Shaw is the first person to hold this position at Edelman and was instrumental in creating the role and after raising her hand for the opportunity subsequent to serving as vice president of human resources in the New York office.

Shaw is a founding member of Edelman’s Global Diversity Advisory Council. Additionally, she serves as a member of the U.S. Multicultural sub-committee. Shaw speaks to students of color visiting the firm for office tours, and she proactively visits college and universities to educate students about the business of public relations and the viable career opportunities available to them within the industry. Shaw is a mentor to multiethnic practitioners through Edelman’s Mentoring Program and actively engages in these formal relationships to provide guidance and support to employees of color ensuring they are retained and receive tailored professional development necessary for their individual and collective growth at Edelman.

Shaw has demonstrated her commitment to diversity in the public relations profession by looking at ways to support building a strong pipeline of minority talent, in addition to giving back to the community. She is the Secretary on the Board of Directors of the National Black Public Relations Society and is on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Diversity Council. She utilizes these positions to spearhead numerous programs which assist in the development of critical core competencies which to help drive diversity in Corporate America. At Edelman, Shaw created an employee training program called You are the “I” in Inclusion which represents the essential components of a comprehensive learning initiative. Shaw’s leadership in the development and rollout of this program has been critical to Edelman’s future success, especially as it relates to attracting and retaining a multiethnic workforce. Most recently, Shaw wrote compelling submissions on behalf of Edelman for the 2013 PR Week Diversity Distinction Awards and helped the firm win the top award in the Best Community Initiative category.

An advocate for diversity beyond the walls of Edelman, Shaw serves her community in a number of ways. Shaw is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the largest community service organization for African American women and she was honored as a finalist for the 2013 Technology Association of Georgia Diversity Leadership Award. Shaw is active in Edelman’s Global Women’s Executive Network and is a regular contributor on www.edelman.com for which she has been positioned as a diversity thought leader and writes blog posts on a variety of topics relating to this space.

Zing Shaw is an exemplary employee who has accepted both formal and informal leadership responsibility for fostering diversity at Edelman and in the community at-large. As an African American woman under the age of 35, Shaw is one of the highest ranking executives of color at Edelman. Through talent acquisition, leadership, colleague development, and engagement, Shaw has identified top-tier multiethnic talent and groomed promising middle managers for senior leadership. Shaw is a groundbreaker at Edelman and for the public relations industry.