Leading Courageous Conversations

As Chief Diversity Officer and Head of Talent Management, Dexter Davis wants all 3,000 employees at Securian Financial to be comfortable with expressing who they are. His number one priority is creating a workplace culture where all dimensions of diversity are recognized and embraced.

Just as he was championed by mentors in his life and career, Dexter wants to do the same for others. His tireless efforts lifted Securian Financial’s rankings on the 2021 Corporate Equality Index and also as a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon company in 2019.

Most recently, Dexter mobilized the company in the wake of the George Floyd killing, inviting courageous and difficult conversations into the workplace. Nearly one-third of employees participated in non-mandatory company listening sessions focused on race, diversity, and justice. He began an ongoing self-education series that focused on social justice and race-driven topics — ones that hadn't been a regular part of their corporate discourse — but now take on significant weight.

I’ve always wanted to be in roles where I could have an impact on people.

Since graduating from Opus College in 2006, Dexter has used strategic and critical thinking skills from his MBA to effectively lead at Target, General Mills, Ecolab, and Securian Financial. The program’s emphasis on ethical leadership has charted the course of his career, placing values front and center instead of only caring about the bottom line.

Dexter's impact is also felt in the community. He sits on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Private College Council and on the advisor Board of the Dougherty Family College at the University of St. Thomas. Through his work on these two boards, he helps underrepresented students get exposure at corporate organizations.

A natural supporter and change-maker, Dexter wants all employees to feel confident bringing their authentic selves to work. He's helping all voices be heard, from Women in STEM to military service members. In a society that can feel divisive, sometimes showing up to the conversation is the first step.