DEI exec fired after former employees allege improper behavior

A prominent leader in the world of Philadelphia tourism and diversity and inclusion has been fired after eight women signed an open letter tourism-diversity-matters-20240216.html” target=”_blank”>accusing him of creating a toxic workplace.

Greg DeShields, the former executive director of tourism Diversity Matters, a nonprofit that aims to diversify the tourism industry, was fired Sunday following a unanimous decision by the nonprofit’s board, board chair Adam Burke said. CEO Mike Gamble has also stepped down, said Burke, who is also the president and CEO of the Los Angeles tourism and Convention Board.

In a statement shared by Burke, the tourism Diversity Matters board said that last year, it learned of concerns “of a lesser nature” about DeShields raised by former board chair Brandi Baldwin and dealt with them through coaching and performance management. But in January, it “became aware of these far more serious allegations,” placed DeShields on administrative leave, and started an investigation.

After receiving…