Heide Gardner

Since 2003, Heide has led IPG’s award winning D&I plan, and played a significant role in strategic industry and client partnerships such as the Unstereotype Alliance. IPG’s inclusion innovations have been featured in major trade and business press as well as the Harvard Business Review, Profiles in Diversity Journal and research reports from The Center for Talent Innovation. She began her career as a successful marketer and creative who worked on leading global brands. Later, as a lobbyist, she represented the industry to the White House, Congress and federal agencies, helping to win a Presidential Executive Order on contracting for multicultural agencies and media. Heide also launched AAF’s diversity agenda and led the CMOs and CEOs of agencies and media companies who crafted the original Mosaic Principles. Among Heide’s honors have been recognition as an AdColor Change Agent and as a member of AdAge’s roster of the century’s Most Influential Women. Mount Holyoke College presented her with the Alumni Achievement Award and Black Enterprise listed her among the top Corporate Diversity Executives. DiversityBestPractices/Working Mother Media recognized her with a Diversity Officer Leadership Award.