The Directors to Watch: Racial & Ethnic Diversity Class of 2025 highlights 24 significant and diverse directors who have contributed to and will continue to expand ongoing dialogue on board best practices and corporate governance excellence.
Tamla Oates-Forney
Summit Materials
Tamla Oates-Forney is an innovative thought leader, women's advocate, wellness champion, philanthropist and investor. She serves as CEO of Linkage, an SHRM company. Linkage is a global leadership development firm committed to advancing women and accelerating inclusion in leaders and organizations.
Oates-Forney previously served as executive VP and chief human resources officer for USAA. Prior to that, she was senior VP and chief people officer at WM. She spent 20 years at General Electric, attaining the role of VP, human resources, for GE Energy Connections
She is an independent director and member of the human capital and compensation committee of Summit Materials. She is a member of the board of advisors for The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Kenan-Flagler Business School, and is an award-winning and highly sought-after speaker, advisor and thought leader for several HR-related technology start-ups.
A most important board responsibility. “In navigating the complexities of a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) environment, the approach to leadership, including the competencies and attributes we expect, must evolve. The selection of the CEO stands as one of the board's most important responsibilities. The necessity for rigorous governance and oversight in the CEO succession process is more critical than ever. This requires a disciplined focus, clear strategic direction, collaborative engagement and regular interaction with talent, both internal and external. Such diligence enhances the likelihood of a successful selection and transition. Conversely, making the wrong CEO decision could have significant repercussions on the organization.”