Coca-Cola's Diversity Initiative: 'Taking a Pause for Now,' Says New GC, Addressing the Legal Team for the First Time

Nearly 190 members of The Coca-Cola Co.’s global legal team tuned in to a highly anticipated virtual meeting earlier today to hear the first address from their new general counsel, Monica Howard Douglas. Many in attendance hoped that Douglas would answer questions related to the sudden resignation of her predecessor, Bradley Gayton. 

They wanted to know why Gayton had stepped down as GC on April 21, after only eight months on the job, to serve as a consultant to Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey. They wanted to know why Coca-Cola was paying Gayton $12 million over the next year as part of his consulting arrangement. They also were curious about the fate of the bold diversity initiative that Gayton announced earlier this year. 

Unfortunately for the inquisitive members of Coca-Cola’s legal team—and for more than a few outsiders following the story—Douglas remained tight-lipped about Gayton’s resignation and substantial compensation for his new behind-the-scenes role, according to a source at the company who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity.

However, Douglas reportedly offered a few hints about the fate of Gayton’s diversity plan, though concrete details remain elusive.

During the video call, Douglas, a 17-year veteran of Coca-Cola’s legal department, told her team about her background and professional interests. Afterward, she opened up the floor for a Q&A session—but there were more questions than answers, according to the source.

“The question came up about Bradley and [his] compensation and what happened. Her response was, ‘We’re moving forward. I don’t want to look back. I’m in this role now,’” the source said. 

Douglas also said she wasn’t involved in the decision to pay Gayton a $4 million sign-on fee and a monthly consulting fee of $666,666, beginning in May and ending April 2022, and therefore could not discuss the arrangement, according to the source.

Gayton arrived at Coca-Cola’s Atlanta headquarters in September 2020, following a nearly 30-year career at Ford Motor Co., where he last served as chief lawyer. In late January, he made headlines when he announced that Coca-Cola planned to penalize outside law firms that failed to meet new diversity guidelines by slashing their fees or cutting ties with them altogether. 

When asked about Gayton’s diversity initiative, Douglas indicated that Coca-Cola was “taking a pause for now” but would likely salvage some parts of the plan, the source said. Douglas didn’t provide any additional details about what would remain and what would be scrapped, according to the source. 

“She said she … plans to use some of it, but everything is being evaluated. They plan to adopt some of his strategies and passions. Everything was, ‘More to come,’” the source added. 

Attempts to speak with Douglas and Gayton have been unsuccessful. Coca-Cola has repeatedly declined to comment on Gayton’s resignation and his new consulting role.

Read more: 

Ex-Coca-Cola GC Bradley Gayton Had ‘Unrealistic Expectations,’ Source Said

Confusion, Shock in Wake of Coca-Cola GC’s Abrupt Resignation

Coca-Cola’s Bradley Gayton Out as General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer Takes Role