William T. Rolack Sr.

Diversity Manager • Adecco • Melville, N.Y. • Age: 38

A drum major at South Carolina State University, William T. Rolack Sr. still marches to the beat of his own drum. For the last 14 years, he has led a charge to promote diversity and improve employee development, most recently as diversity manager for Adecco USA, the U.S. arm of the Swiss-based staffing giant Adecco S.A. Rolack oversees the day-to-day execution of diversity initiatives for U.S. operations. “Promoting diversity hasn’t always been popular or easy, but neither has anything else that’s challenged the status quo,” Rolack states.

Rolack has served as human resources director, regional human resources manager and chief people officer at various New York companies. His achievements during that time include instituting succession plans in order to advance employees, developing training programs and restructuring performance management systems. Rolack says, “It’s been celebrating the small achievements along the way that has kept me focused and committed to improving the lives of others through my profession.”

As a respected industry leader and author of the book 7 Secrets to a Winning Job Interview, Rolack is frequently asked to speak on the subjects of career management, corporate culture and diversity. He is president of the Greater New York chapter of the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources serves on the National Board of Directors for NAAAHR and sits on the executive board of the Urban League of Long Island Young Professionals organization and chairs the program committee for the Urban Network’s annual No Limits Career Day for New York City high school students.

New York City Council recently honored Rolack for his work as a mentor, professional coach and contributor to the human resources profession. He holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration from South Carolina State University and a master’s in business administration from Long Island University.