Kathryn M. Hall: The Diversity Maven
With more than 20 years’ experience in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion, Ms. Kathryn M. Hall is the Corporate Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion for JACK Entertainment. Affectionately known as “Ms. Fix It,” Hall’s mission is to provide resources to those in need.
“I have the ability to change people’s lives in this role overnight,” she says.
In her role, Hall oversees workplace culture, team member engagement, community outreach, vendor relations, sponsorship requests, and more. “Diversity touches every aspect of our business,” she reflects. “It’s one of the most diverse places I’ve ever worked.”
Hall also uses her position at JACK to uplift financial equity in the minority community. “People who are diverse do vote with their dollars. There’s one color nobody discriminates against, and that’s green,” she says with a smile, “And that’s my tagline.”
When asked which role prepared her most for her current position, Hall replied, “I think the experience of them all. Just the rough and tumble of doing the work for decades… I sharpened a different diversity skill at each place.”
Her passion for helping others and deep commitment to the community are displayed in her actions, from welcoming new people to Cleveland and mentoring young professionals to opening her home to special friends. A self-declared “advocate for young professionals,” Hall believes it is her responsibility to share what she knows and open doors for them.
Hall views diversity as something to embrace, and not fear. She sees the differences between groups as powerful tools for unification, and as a result, Hall is regarded as a leader in nontraditional approaches to inclusion and supplier diversity. She is frequently sought out for her expertise locally and nationally.
She is actively involved in the community, serving numerous organizations including the Urban League of Greater Cleveland, Woman of Color Foundation, The Commission on Economic Inclusion, The UNCF of Northeast Ohio Leadership Council, the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, 2023 Career Woman of Achievement Host Committee and the Legacy Champion Committee for the BPACF. She is also Chairperson of Step Forward, and was recently added to the Engagement Committee for the Downtown Cleveland Alliance.
Born and raised in Cleveland, she graduated from John Hay High School. Hall received her undergraduate degree from Baldwin Wallace University and a Masters in Psychology with an emphasis in Diversity Management from Cleveland State. She is also a Certified Diversity Professional, and received her Executive Coaching Certification from Weatherhead School of Management.
An early participant of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion educational movement, Hall reflects, “I don’t just do the work, I have a masters degree in doing the work.”
Hall has been named as one Crain’s Cleveland Business Notable Executives in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She is also a proud member of the United Way of Greater Cleveland Equity Leadership Council, in which she addresses diversity and inclusion challenges across Northeast Ohio. A YWCA of Greater Cleveland’s Career Women of Achievement award winner, she sees this as her proudest accomplishment.
An avid sports fan, Hall celebrates her Cleveland pride by being a lifelong Cleveland Browns fan and Cavaliers season ticket holder for twenty years. When she is not cheering on her hometown teams, she enjoys collecting fine art, traveling and doting on her nearly 100 year old mother.
Kathryn M. Hall was originally featured in the 2023 edition of Who’s Who In Black Cleveland