Nielsen names chief diversity officer

Dr. D. Sangeeta CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

NEW YORK, NY –– Nielsen (NYSE: NLSN), a leading global provider of information and insights into what consumers watch and buy, has promoted Dr. D. Sangeeta to the role of Chief Diversity Officer, effective immediately. Sangeeta will report to Chief Executive Officer Mitch Barns.

“Diversity and inclusion are key to Nielsen’s success,” said Barns. “Our ability to provide clients with insights around consumer behavior worldwide is predicated on a diverse workforce that reflects the more than 100 markets in which we serve. It is a critical business imperative and an integral part of our ability to innovate, grow, and succeed. As a leader in our organization, Sangeeta has been essential in cultivating this culture of inclusion, and I am thrilled she will be leading our diversity efforts globally.”

As Chief Diversity Officer, Sangeeta will be responsible for ensuring that Nielsen remains an employer and business partner of choice and enables innovation by leveraging diversity as a competitive advantage.

Sangeeta previously served as the executive sponsor of the Asian American Advisory Council at Nielsen and actively advanced inclusion initiatives at all levels. In her new role, Sangeeta will focus on defining strategic diversity and inclusion objectives alongside senior leadership, improving the diversity of Nielsen’s leadership team, and recruiting and retaining diverse associates at all levels.

She will also lead Nielsen’s Diversity Council and employee resource groups, all of which serve to strengthen recruitment, retention, community outreach, and professional development.

“I am excited to take on a role that focuses on building diverse talent, reflective of the next-generation workforce at Nielsen,” said Sangeeta. “I am passionate about diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and I believe they are the vehicle to help both our associates and clients realize their full potential as we continue to expand into new markets.”

Sangeeta will continue to lead Nielsen’s Global Measurement Science organization, overseeing methodological innovation and preservation and strengthening data integrity, a post she has held since 2012. In this role, she will continue to report to Chief Operating Officer Brian West.

Since joining Nielsen in 2008, Sangeeta has held a number of senior positions, including Client Service Executive for Global Business Services, North America Buy and Chief Business Process Improvement Officer.

Prior to joining Nielsen, Sangeeta spent more than 18 years at General Electric and Battelle in a variety of leadership roles spanning global operations, risk management, marketing, acquisitions, business process improvement, and research.

During her 14 years at GE, she received 26 patents for her research, some of which are still integrated across GE businesses. Sangeeta received a master’s degree in chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, and a Ph.D. in materials chemistry from the University of Illinois.