Apple's HR Head Denise Young Smith Is Now Leading Its Diversity ...

Skip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.

The VergeThe Verge logo.
• Tech
• Reviews
• Science
• Entertainment
• AI
• Policy
• Hamburger Navigation Button

The homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.

• Login / Sign Up

closeCloseSearch

• TechExpand
  • Amazon
  • Apple
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • Microsoft
  • Samsung
  • Business
  • See all tech
• ReviewsExpand
  • Smart Home Reviews
  • Phone Reviews
  • Tablet Reviews
  • Headphone Reviews
  • See all reviews
• ScienceExpand
  • Space
  • Energy
  • Environment
  • Health
  • See all science
• EntertainmentExpand
  • TV Shows
  • Movies
  • Audio
  • See all entertainment
• AIExpand
  • OpenAI
  • Anthropic
  • See all AI
• PolicyExpand
  • Antitrust
  • Politics
  • Law
  • Security
  • See all policy
• GadgetsExpand
  • Laptops
  • Phones
  • TVs
  • Headphones
  • Speakers
  • Wearables
  • See all gadgets
• Verge ShoppingExpand
  • Buying Guides
  • Deals
  • Gift Guides
  • See all shopping
• GamingExpand
  • Xbox
  • PlayStation
  • Nintendo
  • See all gaming
• StreamingExpand
  • Disney
  • HBO
  • Netflix
  • YouTube
  • Creators
  • See all streaming
• TransportationExpand
  • Electric Cars
  • Autonomous Cars
  • Ride-sharing
  • Scooters
  • See all transportation
• Features
• Verge VideoExpand
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
• PodcastsExpand
  • Decoder
  • The Vergecast
  • Version History
• Newsletters
• Archives
• Store
• Verge Product Updates

Subscribe

• Facebook
• Threads
• Instagram
• Youtube
• RSS

The VergeThe Verge logo.Apple’s HR head Denise Young Smith is now leading its diversity effortsComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...

• TechCloseTech

  Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

  FollowFollow

  See All Tech

• BusinessCloseBusiness

  Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

  FollowFollow

  See All Business

• AppleCloseApple

  Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

  FollowFollow

  See All Apple

Apple’s HR head Denise Young Smith is now leading its diversity efforts

She’ll report directly to Tim Cook

She’ll report directly to Tim Cook

by Nick StattCloseNick StattSenior Producer, Decoder

Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

FollowFollow

See All by Nick Statt

May 23, 2017, 5:20 PM UTC

• Link
• Share
• Gift

Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Thurgood Marshall College FundNick StattCloseNick Statt

Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

FollowFollow

See All by Nick Statt

is a Senior Producer on Decoder. Previously, he reported on the technology and gaming industries for more than a decade.

This week, Apple promoted Denise Young Smith, its global head of human resources and a 20-year veteran of the company, to a newly created VP position in charge of diversity and inclusion efforts, according to 9to5Mac. The role means Smith will be in charge of the team responsible for improving Apple’s diversity figures, helping make the iPhone maker’s workplace, hiring practices, and other HR-related business aspects more open to and conscious of women, minorities, and the LGBTQ community. Smith has since confirmed the role on her LinkedIn profile.

Prior to Smith, the role was held by Jeffrey Siminoff, a director at Apple who left the company in late 2015 to join Twitter. Because Siminoff was only a director-level employee, he still reported to Smith, who then reported to Cook. Now, because of the significantly higher rank of Smith’s prior VP role, she’ll have a direct line to Apple’s CEO. According to TechCrunch, Apple employees sees Smith’s role as a “significant upscaling of responsibility.” Prior to heading up the global HR team, Smith ran HR for Apple’s global retail operation.

Apple, like many tech companies, is predominantly white and male — its latest diversity report indicates that the company’s workforce is 68 percent male and 56 percent white. Only 12 percent of Apple’s workforce identifies as Hispanic, while only 9 percent is black. Smith’s role is primarily aimed at helping to improve those numbers, both through outreach in the education community and through examining the company’s hiring practices and workplace culture. The goal is to ensure that Apple is not losing employees to competitors early on, or fostering an environment that discourages minorities and women from applying for positions at Apple.

Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.

• Nick StattCloseNick StattSenior Producer, Decoder

  Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

  FollowFollow

  See All by Nick Statt

• AppleCloseApple

  Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

  FollowFollow

  See All Apple

• BusinessCloseBusiness

  Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

  FollowFollow

  See All Business

• TechCloseTech

  Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

  FollowFollow

  See All Tech

Most Popular

Most Popular

1. MacBook Neo review: the Mac for the masses
2. Microsoft’s ‘Xbox mode’ is coming to every Windows 11 PC
3. You Could Be Next
4. You can’t replace the battery in Lego’s Smart Bricks — and many of its sensors aren’t available yet
5. Microsoft’s next Xbox, Project Helix, won’t reach alpha until 2027

The Verge Daily

A free daily digest of the news that matters most.

Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.Advertiser Content From

This is the title for the native ad

More in Tech

Grammarly says it will stop using AI to clone experts without permissionMicrosoft’s ‘Xbox mode’ is coming to every Windows 11 PCMicrosoft’s next Xbox, Project Helix, won’t reach alpha until 2027OpenAI’s Sora video generator is reportedly coming to ChatGPTAlternative app store AltStore PAL is joining the fediverseCanva’s new editing tool adds layers to AI-generated designsGrammarly says it will stop using AI to clone experts without permissionStevie Bonifield6:45 PM UTCMicrosoft’s ‘Xbox mode’ is coming to every Windows 11 PCSean Hollister6:02 PM UTCMicrosoft’s next Xbox, Project Helix, won’t reach alpha until 2027Jay Peters and Sean Hollister5:28 PM UTCOpenAI’s Sora video generator is reportedly coming to ChatGPTStevie Bonifield4:50 PM UTCAlternative app store AltStore PAL is joining the fediverseEmma Roth4:00 PM UTCCanva’s new editing tool adds layers to AI-generated designsJess Weatherbed3:02 PM UTCAdvertiser Content From

This is the title for the native ad

Top Stories

1:00 PM UTCLego Smart Brick review: My kids are not impressed6:02 PM UTCMicrosoft’s ‘Xbox mode’ is coming to every Windows 11 PC7:31 PM UTCThe Live Nation settlement has industry insiders baffled2:31 PM UTCHow to ditch Ring’s surveillance network11:00 AM UTCSamsung Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus review: This again12:00 PM UTCHow Trump’s war on Iran stranded a million flyers — and plunged the Gulf’s favorite playground into chaos