Following a transformative NFL Draft weekend, the Chicago Bears have taken another significant step to fortify their organization. The team has announced the promotion of Tanesha Wade to the role of executive vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion and chief impact officer, underscoring their commitment to these values.
She will be promoted from her previous job as the Bears’ senior vice president of the DEI department.
Tanesha Wade has been promoted to executive vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion & chief impact officer.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 1, 2024
Wade will oversee the team’s DEI strategy in her new role, including community relations, player and alumni relations, and philanthropic efforts through Bears Care, according to a story on the team’s website. She will also continue to provide strategic guidance and support around internal DEI efforts and, in her new position, enhance community relationships, form strategic partnerships for inclusivity and social justice, and support marginalized voices.
“What excited me about serving in this new role was that it was an authentic effort driven by George McCaskey and our entire ownership,” Wade said. “It came from a genuine place of reflection and how we can be better as a club by bringing in leaders from different backgrounds, experiences and industries as well as developing existing talent. It was positioned to be a sustainable effort — a long-term journey. It was not a short-term initiative that gradually fell off as a priority, but instead was introduced and integrated into our club’s long-term strategy.”
With a tenure of nearly 11 years, Tanesha Wade’s journey within the Bears organization has been one of growth and dedication. Starting as the team’s director of events and entertainment, the Des Moines, Iowa native, and lifelong fan of the Bears, has seen her role evolve, becoming a champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion at every level of the organization.
According to the team’s site, Wade became a co-chair of the Bears’ diversity, equity, and inclusion council, implemented after an outside consultant evaluated the club’s culture.
Under Wade’s leadership, the Bears have achieved significant milestones in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. These include the implementation of a career exposure program for local students in the sports industry, the establishment of Bears employee resource groups, the launch of a women’s advisory board, and other notable accomplishments. Wade’s influence was also instrumental in the hiring of general manager Ryan Poles in 2022 and President & CEO Kevin Warren in 2023.
“It excites me that I can make an impact and contribute in a way that is truly going to make a difference. I am privileged to have support from people at all levels that are of the same mindset. I believe our organization is at an inflection point. For this to continue to be a priority is what makes this an exceptional time to step into this role,” she said.
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