Dave Peacock, CEO of Advantage Solutions, is joining the board of directors for NextUp, a national leader in advancing equity for women leaders in the workplace.
Peacock’s appointment to the board is part of an expanding partnership between Advantage and the national nonprofit, which have collaborated for more than 15 years. NextUp works to advance all women, grow business and transform workplaces through the power of community — a mission that’s in lockstep with Advantage’s own commitment to Belonging & Impact.
The partnership is a natural fit for Advantage, where women comprise 65% of the workforce, as the company deepens its commitment to provide all teammates with the tools and opportunities to shape their future. For Peacock, a longtime philanthropist, the NextUp board appointment represents an opportunity to make an impact with an organization that he’s long respected and admired.
“I’m deeply honored to join the board of directors for NextUp, an organization that’s doing a tremendous amount of good work that’s relevant to our business at Advantage Solutions,” Peacock said. “I personally believe that we must do more to develop and empower women leaders to ensure equity across our industry.”
As Advantage continues its evolution as a unified solutions provider for brands and retailers, Peacock said, the partnership with NextUp will help develop leaders within the company, while also helping Advantage build relationships with current and prospective clients with shared values.
This year, Advantage has also increased its sponsorship level, from Advocate to Champion, reflecting the company’s commitment to develop talent and elevate leaders from all backgrounds. In practical terms, the elevated sponsorship level allows for more memberships for Advantage teammates, including allyship opportunities for men, as well as more speaking and networking opportunities at NextUp events.
More than 220 Advantage teammates have memberships with NextUp, which provides training and resources for women to advance their careers and pursue leadership opportunities. Additionally, 125 teammates participate in events with regional NextUp chapters.
The partnership with NextUp dovetails with Advantage’s commitment to Belonging & Impact, which includes a focus on fostering an inclusive workplace culture and advancing economic empowerment in communities where we live and work, said Rebecca Grey, vice president of Belonging & Impact.
“Partners like NextUp are invaluable,” Grey said. “They inform us on best practices to ensure we are a best place to work for women, help us build a diverse talent pipeline, and create a safe space for women and their allies to connect and grow together.”
For the past two years, NextUp member Theresa Hutchison has participated in virtual and in-person opportunities that have enabled her to better support her team as a leader.
In her position as director of talent acquisition for high-volume roles, Hutchison oversees a team responsible for hiring part-time and full-time teammates who provide sampling and demos at Walmart and Costco stores. On average, her team fills about 1,500 roles per month — a busy and competitive process of anticipating needs and procuring in-demand talent to support brands and retailers.
“It’s not about me,” Hutchison said. “NextUp has helped me to level up in my own career development, but it’s also really helped me to lean in and guide my team, to provide them with the resources they need to level up, too.”
As a NextUp board member, Peacock is eager to see more Advantage teammates — both women and men — take advantage of the resources available as members, such as in-person events, webinars and leadership training.
“NextUp has provided tremendous value to our organization,” Peacock said. “It’s the perfect time for our company to scale up its commitment with them.”
Peacock is one of four new members on NextUp’s 20-person board. He’s joined by Marina Chernyak of VISA; Amber Jefferson of Hain Celestial; and Lisa Paley of Haleon. Peacock will serve on the board’s nominating and governance committees.
“I’m excited to welcome our new directors, all with deep experience and success developing inclusive cultures in their own companies and in their communities,” said Lisa Baird, CEO of NextUp, in the nonprofit’s news release.
