Paradigm Hires Shakira Gagnier As VP Of Diversity And Inclusion

– Shakira Gagnier

Shakira Gagnier is joining Paradigm as the company’s new Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion, and will work with the agency to integrate new strategies, practices, programs and processes related to diversity and inclusion at all levels.

Gagnier’s immediate work will consist of “guiding employee engagement, defining a clear pathway to promotion for existing staff and instituting enhanced recruiting, training, mentorship, and development opportunities” according to the announcement of the hiring.

Coming from WarnerMedia, where she was director of Learning & Development, Gagnier created the We Gather conference and helped produced a global enterprise race equity intensive for HR professionals in eight countries. Prior to Warner she also worked at Fullscreen Media and Universal Music Group.

Gagnier said in a statement: “Guiding conversations and change about workplace diversity is something every company needs to do, and Sam [Gores] impressed me with the earnest and urgent way he spoke about this evolution being essential. I look forward to investing all levels of the company in that foundational journey – together, we will create a culture and workplace that reflects the inclusive ambitions of the company’s leadership and mirrors the diverse roster of artists the agency represents.”

Paradigm CEO and Chairman Sam Gores said in the company’s announcement of the hiring: “Today is only the first of many steps that the leadership at Paradigm will take to stress diversity and inclusion as a core value of our agency.

“Shakira brings an extraordinary range of experience working at some of the industry’s most prominent media companies. Everyone at Paradigm shares a renewed commitment to ensuring our company better reflects the artists we represent, the audiences they entertain, and the wider world. We welcome Shakira and look forward to working with her on this important journey.”

Paradigm has been hit hard by the COVID-19 shutdown, as the company announced severe temporary layoffs just one week after the shutdown took effect in March. Gores announced a $1.1 million employee relief fund, and that he was foregoing his salary in April.

The company has been rumored to be in talks with Casey Wasserman for a possible acquisition.