Peter C. Roberts
CEO of Americas, Jones Lang Lasalle
Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois
Website: www.joneslanglasalle.com
Primary Business: Real estate, Investment management, Professional services
Revenues: $2.9 billion
Employees: 42,000
Leadership in Action
In my role at Jones Lang LaSalle, I’ve witnessed the importance of Diversity and Inclusion in a company’s culture—both internally and with our clients. Jones Lang LaSalle’s people and clients are our top priorities, which is why we’ve identified D&I as fundamental to our corporate values. I am committed to leading a firm that reinforces how I personally feel about diversity in the workplace: that all our people feel valued for their contributions.
Jones Lang LaSalle’s D&I initiatives enable us to attract, develop and retain top talent with broad backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. I’ve seen how these initiatives help unleash employees’ full potential, allow them to succeed and help them create strong partnerships with clients and with each other. They also support our clients by creating strong partnerships with women- and minority-owned businesses.
Our D&I Council, comprised of some of my most impassioned colleagues, meets regularly to discuss recommendations that will accelerate Jones Lang LaSalle’s firm-wide D&I practices. One of the initiatives implemented is a self-service mentoring program that pairs young talent with coaches to support career advancement, capture best practices across the firm and implement training that increases awareness and understanding. The program shows measurable results that demonstrate mentors help attract, retain and promote minority and female colleagues. As practiced at our first-ever national Women’s Summit, held in 2011, we hold discussions for diverse leaders to share personal stories that empower the firm’s talent and equip them with tools to develop roadmaps for career advancement.
To support our diversity hiring and retention efforts, we hold leaders accountable and give managers tools to help attract and retain a diverse workforce. Our Chief Diversity Officer and Director of Recruitment collaborate and source top-tier diverse employees. Their efforts have increased officer-level female new hires 41 percent and tripled our minority officer hires. I’ve seen our Recruiting Action Team visit Historically Black Colleges and Universities to hand-select job candidates, then connect them with leadership to discuss forthcoming opportunities that lead to hiring young talent. Our supplier diversity program effectively increases opportunities for minority, women and disabled veteran business enterprises, ensuring they receive fair market share of our clients’ business.
I believe having a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture opens a world of ideas and opportunities that enables Jones Lang LaSalle’s family members to grow their careers and do the best work for our clients.
Education: AB, Dartmouth College; MBA, Harvard Business School
First Job: Assistant Treasurer in the aerospace and defense contractor group at Morgan Guaranty Trust Company
What I’m Reading: Rabbit, Run, by John Updike
My Philosophy: Set clear values that focus on people, integrity and respect. Surround yourself with those who can embrace and support them. Listen to colleagues and clients and value each other’s points of views.
Best Advice: Everyone else is at least as smart as you are, if not smarter.
Family: Wife, Robin; daughter, Megan; sons, Matthew and Michael
Interests: Music, piano, exercise
Favorite Charities: Children’s Memorial Hospital, Ravinia Festival, The Cara Program
