MUMBAI: Viacom Inc. has appointed Denise White as executive vice president human resources and administration.
Based in New York, White will lead Viacom’s worldwide human resources strategies and practices to further develop the company’s innovative workplace and will report to Thomas E. Dooley, Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer of Viacom.
White, who begins her new role on 1 October, most recently served as the General Manager of Human Resources for the Entertainment and Devices Group at Microsoft Corp. Ms. White succeeds JoAnne Adams Griffith.
Viacom, President and Chief Executive Officer, Philippe Dauman said, “We are fortunate to welcome Denise, who is a terrific addition to the already strong senior executive team at Viacom. During her 17 years at Microsoft, she has proven herself to be an outstanding human resources executive who has deep knowledge of the digital landscape and significant experience in nurturing a creatively driven global workforce. JoAnne Griffith has made an incalculable contribution to Viacom over her 21-year career with the company, for which we are deeply grateful. Moving from Paramount Pictures to MTV Networks and Viacom corporate, she has helped shape the successful culture of this company, assembling the highest-caliber group of employees in our business. We will all miss her, but we support her decision to change her career direction.”
Dooley said, “Denise brings to Viacom a strong appreciation of the creative and innovative spirit that has long been the lifeblood of our organization and will be the key to our future success. She knows how to effectively develop a creatively-driven global workforce, and I look forward to working with her as we build on our significant existing talent base and create a new generation of Viacom leaders.”
White said, “I am delighted to join Viacom at this exciting time in its history and growth. The worlds of entertainment and technology, both passions of mine for the last 17 years, are at an inflection point. I am excited to apply my skills and experience to this unique opportunity and join an already outstanding team of colleagues delivering amazing experiences to customers. I’m looking forward to working with Tom and Philippe and all of the great leaders in the Viacom organization.”
White joined Microsoft in 1990, when Microsoft was an emerging software company with 3500 employees based in Redmond, Washington. Over the course of 17 years, Denise and her teams have had responsibility for hiring over 35,000 employees. Most recently, as General Manager at Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices Division, White and her team address human resource strategy and complex talent needs for a workforce of more than 8000 employees in the company’s Interactive Entertainment Group. Prior to Microsoft, White was a human resources leader with Pan American World Airways and owned a human resources consulting firm. White established and manages two non-profit foundations directed at supporting at-risk youth and welfare of companion animals.
