Latondra Newton

Latondra Newton was named Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer of The Walt Disney Company in February 2017. She leads the company’s strategic diversity and inclusion initiatives, helping Disney and its employees around the world tell stories that entertain, enlighten, and inspire. Latondra partners with segments and leaders across the enterprise to build on Disney’s commitment to produce entertainment that reflects a global audience and sustains a welcoming and inclusive workplace for everyone.

Prior to joining Disney, Latondra served as Group Vice President of Social Innovation and Chief Diversity Officer at Toyota Motor North America, Inc. and Chief Program Officer of the Toyota Mobility Foundation for Toyota Motor Corporation. She began her career at Toyota in 1991 and held a variety of senior roles spanning corporate planning, research, public affairs, marketing, philanthropy, and diversity.

With a bachelor’s degree in management systems from Kettering University, Latondra has been recognized as a leader in business and diversity and inclusion throughout her career. In 2018, she was honored by Black Enterprise as a Top Executive in Corporate Diversity. In 2014, Linkage’s Women in Leadership Institute honored her with the prestigious Passionate Champion Award. Latondra has spoken at the Aspen Ideas Festival and the Shared Value Leadership Summit. She is a member of the Aspen Institute’s Business, Society Leadership Forum, and The Executive Leadership Council (ELC).