James Kinney - Brand Innovators

James Kinney

Global Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, Ogilvy

James Nicholas Kinney is the Global Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer and North American Chief People Officer at Ogilvy, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious advertising and marketing brands. Kinney is an author and speaker with over 18 years of experience. Kinney is a diversity innovator and created Equify, an online diversity certification widely used across marketing and entertainment organizations. Kinney’s transformational HR style is rooted in his own personal story from learning how to walk again at the age of 16 after a near-fatal car accident and surviving anxiety and depression in his thirties. 

Kinney has been featured on Entrepreneur, CNN, NBC Smart Money, and NASDAQ Disruptors. Kinney uses neuroscience, emotional intelligence, performance psychology, and innovative behavior-based practices to help shift culture.