2023 Notable Champions of Diversity

At Infiniti Americas, a focus on diversity and inclusion starts at the top.

Craig Keeys, who leads the Japanese luxury automaker’s Americas business, says fostering diversity in the workplace is “not only the right thing to do — it also makes business sense.”

A third of Infiniti Americas’ customers hail from diverse backgrounds, according to the company’s research.

“It’s important that our values, our employees and our culture match — enabling us to deliver the strongest products and services,” said Keeys, 46. 

The 25-year Nissan Group veteran oversees sales, marketing, aftersales, customer experience and general automotive management operations across North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Israel. 

“Leaders who build diverse teams build the strongest teams,” Keeys said. “Focusing on diversity and inclusion has to permeate the entire organization, starting with leadership.”

Keeys this year appointed one of Nissan Group’s first Black female regional vice presidents, Nikole Wells.

Under Keeys’ watch, Infiniti has increased multicultural marketing investments, pushed for more diverse hiring interview panels and ensured employees have more direct access to senior leadership.

“To make mobility cleaner, safer and more inclusive for all, we are pushing ourselves to think beyond the typical conventions of diversity, equity and inclusion,” he said. “In doing so, we’re working to foster inclusivity among employees, clients and partners at every step of the journey.”

Keeys is the executive sponsor for Black Employees at Nissan, an affinity group that creates networking opportunities. And he is a member of the Gay-Straight Alliance at Nissan. 

He also advocates for more diversity in the retail network. As an avid supporter of the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers, Keeys pushes for greater representation of minorities among Infiniti’s dealers.

“As a company, how we define success with DEI efforts is multifaceted,” the executive said. “It begins with the culture within.”

Keeys also has personal reasons for his focus on diversity and inclusion at work. He raises three children with his wife in a multiracial household.

“It’s important to continue to evolve the work culture to build one I’d feel confident they’ll thrive in,” Keeys said. “They should feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves anywhere they go, and my role at Infiniti is moving the needle.”

— Urvaksh Karkaria