Attorney, pastor, DEI consultant, musician, athlete—Jonathan Mayes (class of 1978) has earned a lot of different titles in the decades since he graduated from Warner Pacific University.
He started his most recent endeavor, Jonathan Mayes Consulting, after retiring from Albertsons Companies in 2022. Mayes was the Senior Vice President, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Albertsons where he led award-winning DEI efforts.
“In 2016 I was asked to give a speech at a convention on the topic of diversity and inclusion,” Mayes said. “It caused me to think about the most productive use of my time, professionally, while at Albertsons.”
In 2017, he spoke with the CEO about incorporating diversity and inclusion within the organization.
“I created it from scratch, and it went on to become an award-winning program,” Mayes said. “I was fortunate to thrice be named one of the top diversity officers in the US.”
To build the new program, Mayes networked extensively and initially worked with an outside consultant to design the program.
“I read everything I could get my hands on to learn about why this work I was doing was important,” he said. “My focus was having a positive impact on the company.”
Engagement surveys of employees at the time asked questions to help determine to what extent people felt included, valued and if they belonged.
“Now I work with companies all over the world to help them create and ensure an environment where everyone feels welcomed, valued and included,” Mayes said. “When I think about my work, its foundation is the Golden Rule—treating others like we ourselves would like to be treated.”
Mayes considers himself a DEI evangelist. He tries to help people recognize and minimize bias in themselves and in their organizations.
“The question I ask individuals is, ‘Are some people treated less well for no other reason than showing up in their own skin?’” Mays said.
If the answer is yes, he says, there are a couple of possible responses: it’s not my problem, or I don’t really care to try to do anything about it; another is to recognize that reality and try to do something positive about it.
Diversity, equity and inclusion were not common terms when Mayes attended Warner, but he did feel he belonged.
“There was diversity on campus then, but Warner is doing a much better job of reflecting the community and should be commended for that,” Mayes said. “I almost always felt very welcomed by other students and professors, with rare exception.”
He still recalls the lessons of some of his professors that incorporated some of the foundational elements of DEI work.
“Dick Craghead talked about the importance of using ‘I-statements,’ as opposed to ‘you-statements,’” he said. “Arthur Kelly taught a course about how different people live around the world—in terms of their values, their thinking, and what we can learn from that to become better versions of ourselves. The result can help us be a more well-rounded individual because they help us think in ways we might not think about if we were on our own.”
Of course, Mayes’ time at Warner wasn’t all about the classroom experience. He made lasting friendships and met his wife.
“Attending Warner was one of the best decisions of my life,” Mayes said. “I made lifelong friends, received a terrific education, and strengthened my relationship with Christ. And I met my best friend, Varetta, who became my wife.”
They’ve been married for more than 42 years, and he considers his former classmates some of his closest friends.
“When I was at Warner, they had a Warner Brothers Quartet,” Mayes said. “I have lifelong friends from my time in that group. We traveled the summer to different churches in North America. It was an outreach and recruitment tool.”
Other friends from Warner planned to be involved in ministry, a calling that is close to his heart. His parents were missionaries for the Church of God in Bermuda, where Mayes was born, and his father pastored a church in San Diego.
“It’s been something that’s caused me great joy to see how (my friends) have served all these years,” Mayes said.
He has had the pleasure of attending services by some of his former classmates, including Steve Dow, Bob Moss, Rick Martinez and Fred Douglas. Mayes also served as a worship leader for 24 years at churches in the Bay Area.
Outside of work and worship, Mayes, 67, likes to engage his mind and body every day. He leads a book club and regular exercise is part of his routine.
He said by the time this article is posted he will have participated in more than 125 marathons.
His wife, Varetta, has done two marathons and many mini marathons, he said.
In addition to the challenge of the competition, it allows them to travel to places like Berlin, Australia and Argentina. This November, Mayes is running marathons in Panama and Costa Rica. He also competes in Ironman events and Ultra marathons.
“I think most people agree that if they’re fortunate to live to an old age, that they want to do so in a way that they can enjoy travel and good health,” Mayes said. “I want my older self to thank my younger self. That should inform what they do now to take care of themselves. That means taking steps now whether that be walking or swimming or whatever activity they’re able to do now.”
While marathons may not be accessible to everyone, Mayes encourages people to try a 10 K if they are physically able.
“I just think there is a lot of value in doing your utmost to find things you’re passionate about and then opportunities to spend time doing that very thing,” Mayes said.