Toyota Motor North America has announced the appointment of Tellis Bethel as chief diversity officer (CDO), Toyota Motor North America, effective April 3.

The statement says that Bethel will lead Toyota’s efforts to advance a diversity and inclusion strategy that addresses the workplace,  marketplace, and society and reflects the company’s core value of respect for people. In this role, Tellis will report to Ted Ogawa, president and chief executive officer of Toyota Motor North America.

According to the statement, Bethel will continue serving as group vice president and chief social innovation officer, overseeing Toyota Motor North America’s strategic partnerships, education initiatives such as Driving Possibilities, and the Way Forward Fund. To ensure mobility for all, Bethel directs programs to expand access to opportunities and create a culture of inclusion that strengthens both communities and TMNA.In addition, Bethel’s volunteer experience includes serving as a board member for the National Urban League and with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

Bethel began his Toyota Financial Services career in risk management planning, emphasizing financial hedging activities. He subsequently assumed roles of increasing responsibility in the risk, sales, marketing, and analytics departments. As chief social innovation officer, Bethel will continue to report to Sandra Phillips Rogers, senior vice president of corporate resources and general counsel, Toyota Motor North America.

Toyota directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. In addition, by 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.

Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic, and governmental organizations to address society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible.