Paul Richardson joined ESPN in 2007 as senior vice president, human resources, bringing significant experience in managing human resources operations at global companies. Serving as a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for ESPN, Richardson oversees all aspects of ESPN human resources, supporting 50 different business units and approximately 8,000 employees around the world.
In February 2011, Richardson added the additional role of chief diversity officer for The Walt Disney Company (TWDC). He partners with diversity leaders throughout TWDC business segments in defining and implementing the global diversity and inclusion strategies for the Company. Under Richardson’s direction and leadership, ESPN has launched several diversity initiatives including an annual Women’s Leadership Conference, Employee Resource Groups and an Executive Diversity Council.
Richardson began his career as an attorney before transitioning to the human resources field. He has held executive human resource positions at a wide array of media companies, including those focused on television and film production, digital media development, publishing, marketing and sales and other media platforms. At Universal McCann (job prior to joining ESPN), he served as executive vice president, global human resources, responsible for overseeing all human resource functions for 72 offices and approximately 3,000 employees worldwide.
Prior to joining Universal McCann, Richardson was senior vice president, human resources, at Paramount Pictures in Hollywood, Calif. He joined Paramount after more than 10 years with The Times Mirror Company, former parent company of the Los Angeles Times. Throughout, he served as a key member of executive management and implemented a variety of initiatives, including leadership development, training, performance management, recruitment and the company’s enterprise-wide inaugural diversity program.
His contributions were recognized in May 2010 when he received a NAMIC Luminary Award. Additionally, in 2010, 2011 and 2012, CableFAX: The Magazine named him on the Top 75 Most Influential Minorities in Cable list.
Among other charitable and civic endeavors, Richardson has served as an advisor to the California State Summer School of the Arts and as a board member of Cable and Telecommunications Human Resources Association (CTHRA). He is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC).
Richardson received his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctorate from the University of Southern California.
