April 30, 2019

CFTC Commissioner Behnam Issues Letter Regarding Diversity & Inclusion at the CFTC

Washington, DC — Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Commissioner Rostin Behnam today issued a letter regarding diversity and inclusion in the CFTC workforce.  The letter is addressed to the Director of the CFTC’s Office of Minority and Women Inclusion (OMWI).  Commissioner Behnam’s letter sets out data regarding underrepresentation of minorities and women at the CFTC, particularly in management positions, and asks questions regarding the CFTC OMWI program and how this underrepresentation can be addressed and remedied.

Commissioner Behnam states in the letter that:  “Our country’s diversity is one of its greatest assets, and I believe it is important that public and private sector workplaces reflect this diversity.”  Turning specifically to the CFTC, Commissioner Behnam writes:

The CFTC’s Equal Opportunity Employer & Diversity Statement recognizes that workplace diversity and inclusion are critical to the agency’s success, and espouses a commitment to supporting the recruitment and maintenance of a truly diverse CFTC workforce.  Current data suggest that the Commission may be falling short on those commitments, and in turn, undermining the agency’s success.  This is especially true with respect to management level positions.

Commissioner Behnam is committed to working with the CFTC’s OMWI office to further its stated goals of supporting the recruitment and maintenance of a truly diverse CFTC workforce.