Apple diversity chief Christie Smith reportedly leaving company

Apple’s head of diversity and inclusion is reportedly leaving the company as technology giants step up efforts to combat racial injustice and inequality following protests against George Floyd’s death.

Christie Smith, who took the role in 2017, left the company on Tuesday, Bloomberg reported, citing unidentified people who are familiar with the matter.

Smith’s departure comes as several tech companies Speak up for protests across the country triggered by the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, after a white policeman pinched a knee on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Apple CEO Tim Cook announced the company last week launch an initiative for racial justice and justice with a $ 100 million commitment.

Cook has also asked his company to do more to bring about change in an open letter about racism.

“To bring about change, we need to review our own views and actions in the face of pain that is deeply felt but too often ignored,” the letter said on the Apple website. “Questions of human dignity will not be left unanswered. For the black community – we see you. They are important and your life is important.”

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, said the search giant would Give $ 12 millionand Amazon said it will donate $ 10 million. Facebook, Verizon, Intel, TikTok and other companies have also announced that they will fund various groups that focus on social justice and black community support.

Before joining Apple, Smith worked for Deloitte for 17 years and, according to her LinkedIn profile, was the human resources manager for cancer detection startup Grail. She replaced Denise Young Smith who left the company after less than a year in the position of being executive-in-residence at Cornell University. Instead of reporting directly to Cook, Smith reported to Deidre O’Brien, Apple’s vice president of retail and people.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but instead confirmed the departure for Bloomberg.

“Inclusion and diversity are Apple’s core values, and we firmly believe that diverse teams are the most innovative teams,” Apple said in a statement to Bloomberg. “Christie Smith will be leaving Apple to spend more time with her family and we wish her all the best. Our inclusion and diversity team continues to report directly to Deirdre O’Brien on the Executive Team.”