Marie R. Sylla-Dixon, Raytheon Technologies chief diversity officer

Raytheon Technologies today announced that Marie R. Sylla-Dixon has joined the company effective January 4, 2021 as chief diversity officer (CDO). Sylla-Dixon will report directly to Chief Executive Officer Gregory Hayes and serve as a member of the company's executive leadership team.

As CDO, Sylla-Dixon will be responsible for leading Raytheon Technologies' diversity, equity and inclusion strategy. The role will integrate initiatives across the four pillars of talent management, community engagement, public policy and supplier diversity, and shape externally how the company shows up in its communities.

"Prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion in all that we do will make us a better company, a better employer and a better contributor to the communities we touch," said Hayes. "Marie has a strong track record of aligning diversity and inclusion with business strategy to drive results, and in creating tangible community and societal impact. We welcome Marie to Raytheon Technologies and look forward to her leadership."

"When diverse minds come together to advance innovation and business growth they propel the economic progress of communities around the world," said Sylla-Dixon. "I am excited to join Raytheon Technologies to drive the organization's diversity, equity and inclusion strategy that will bring employees, partners and communities together to achieve enduring progress."

As part of its commitment to improving communities, Raytheon Technologies has made a $25 million, five-year community engagement and philanthropic commitment to support marginalized individuals and communities through programs focused on racial justice, empowerment and career readiness. The company is also supporting the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation with the establishment of its first-ever Defense and Aerospace Policy Fellowships, and has expanded its support for the Faith & Politics Institute and the Equal Justice Initiative to address understanding and discourse around issues of race.

Sylla-Dixon joins Raytheon Technologies from T-Mobile US where she spent 11 years, most recently serving as vice president for government and external affairs, leading T-Mobile's DE&I efforts and community outreach through the company's recent merger with Sprint. She spearheaded the operational management of the company's diversity and inclusion commitments including a community investment focused on workforce development, digital literacy and adoption, and programming for underserved and underrepresented communities, and has worked with national civil rights groups.

Prior to T-Mobile, Sylla-Dixon served as vice president for government relations at Verizon Communications.

Sylla-Dixon holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Hampton University and a Juris Doctorate from the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law.