Dallas Mavericks interim CEO Cynthia Marshall
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The Dallas Observer recently had the opportunity to speak with Dallas Mavericks interim CEO Cynthia Marshall prior Tuesday’s game against the Denver Nuggets, which saw the Mavericks beat the Denver Nuggets 118 to 107 at the American Airlines Center.
Cynthia Marshall is the former Diversity Officer and Senior Vice President of Human Resources AT&T from March 23, 2015, to 2017. She also served as the Senior Vice President of Human Resources of AT&T Inc. from December 2012 to 2017 and was its Chief Diversity Officer from March 23, 2015, to 2015. She was the highest ranking African American at AT&T during her 36 years with the company, but she does not want to be the last.
“Sometimes I look back and it is almost like a textbook because I was taught to work very hard, but it was more about having great mentors, great sponsors, and always being around a great team of people. Sometimes I was behind the scenes, and I knew how to follow, but often I have been out in front and knew how to lead. I, also, know how to give credit to those around me and rely on other expertise. I’m truly blessed because I was able to make it up the ranks and the key is to bring others. So, a lot of time I am asked about being the first a, but I do not want to be the last. Says Marshall. She would continue by giving Mark Cuban praise.
“I do not know if he was aware that he was appointed the first women as CEO of an NBA team, because I was not aware, and he was just looking for talent. As I stated before, I am blessed, I have a lot of people invest and give me the training to help develop me. Giving the talent and the skill set that Mark needed for the job.”
Marshall wants to build a culture with the Dallas Mavericks that centers around inclusion and diversity. She emphasized that there is a major difference between the two with diversity being about the numbers and representation, while inclusion is making sure everyone is being valued and have a sense of belonging in the workplace. This is something that Marshall wants to create within the Dallas Mavericks organization no matter your gender, race, ethnicity, background, social, economic status, etc. She wants to make sure build a culture where every voice matters and make a difference in the organization. It has been a busy time for Marshall making the transition from starting her consulting practice and eventually shouting that venture down to concentration her full attention on her duties as CEO with the Mavericks.
She says “that I am used to doing double duty and having things overlap, even though the devastating and disgusting some of this is, I have a sense of excitement about the village coming together, and when I say that externally and internally. Men and women coming together to make sure this bad situation is behind us moving forward, really setting a model for the NBA, and how to respond to this. That is what I love about Mark Cuban, was very serious, passionate, and still is about responding to this in a way that others can learn from to be better.”
Marshall would continue with it is a very emotional time because of the nature of what this is all about how she was brought in and why Mark even called her. So, that is very emotional as well, but they are all trying to process it and doing what is needed for their employees, the individuals that are involved and they are all committed to come out better for it.
Mark is all about the community and if you think about the word ‘Community’ the end of it is unity. So, what we want to do is to unify the people in the area and bring everyone together. That is what I liked about talking to those 1000 kids tonight. Looked at the group of kids which was very diverse from different walks of life and they are all here with us this evening. As part of this fabulous community, we are going to intensify our efforts in the city. I have a passion for community and the village that is coming together to make a difference for women who have been victims and families who have been victims of domestic violence. Also, for children in foster care and need homes that is my passion providing permanent stability for our children and there are so many needs out there, and some of us are blessed with our individual and our companies to be able to make a difference. That is what she loves about Dallas area and the region because we take our resources and help each other. The Dallas Mavericks are leading the way and we will even more. Marshall said.
“By the year 2019, The Dallas Mavericks will be the standard for inclusion and diversity in the country.”
Marshall would later talk about her transition and how it has been a smooth one because her consulting business was built on diversity, inclusion. Obviously, it is different, moving from corporate American, but she says this is what is coming ‘people are the same and want the same thing coming to work, whether that’s for the Dallas Mavericks or if they are walking into the headquarters of a major corporation. People want to be respected, being able to work with individuals who have character, and the ability to bring their authentic self to the workplace. Also, they want to be able to be safe physically, emotionally, and be apart of a team orientated environment. These are the value that is common at any venue you are talking about” and these are the things that she focused on as the CEO of the Mavericks. That is what they were able to accomplish while Marshall was at AT&T and wants to the same with the Dallas Mavericks.
