Recent Twitter news revealed that the company is taking steps to ensure diversity and equality in its board of directors. The popular micro-blogging platform has announced a new member on Monday.
The New York Times reported that Debra Lee, chairperson and chief executive of BET Networks, has joined Twitter's board of directors. Media entertainment company BET is a subsidiary of Viacom.
Lee, 61, is an African-American. She is the first African-American and the third woman to become a part of the company's board.
The publication noted that the social media company is staying true to its mantra of diversification. Twitter has also announced that a board member, Marjorie Scardino, would be the company's lead independent director.
According to PR Newswire, Debra Lee will serve as a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. She will be the chairperson of the committee effective after Twitter's 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
"Twitter has been and continues to be a transformative service for the media landscape and the world," Lee said. "I'm excited to help Jack, Omid, and the rest of the Board continue and further that impact in the years to come."
"Debra's addition strengthens our Board immensely," Twitter's executive chairman and former Google executive Omid Kordestani added. "She's a highly respected leader in the media industry with decades of experience, and has a clear passion for Twitter as a service and a company."
Debra Lee joined BET in 1986 and became chairperson and Chief Executive Officer in Jan. 2006. She has also been named as one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Entertainment by The Hollywood Reporter.
Forbes noted that Lee took to Twitter to announce her excitement over her new role. Marjorie Scardino, David Rosenblatt and Jack Dorsey were some of the people who congratulated the new board member on the social media site.
"Thrilled to be joining the Twitter board," she posted. "It's transformed the media and the world like few other things in history (and continues to)!"
