Human Resources Higher Education

Professional Profile

Inclusive Leadership and Inclusive Workplace Champion – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leader~ Subject Matter Expert – Organizational Culture Strategist – Speaker – Trainer – Facilitator~ Adjunct Professor – Civil and Human Rights Activist – Writer/Author

With over two decades in higher education leadership, substantial expertise includes the strategic realignment of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals, resulting in a notable 25% enhancement in retention rates. Acknowledged for managing initiatives that significantly improve campus climate and engagement in academic environments, including effective responses to complex DEI challenges. Notable achievements include spearheading global DEI programs and enhancing cultural competence and inclusivity within academic settings.

oLeadership in Higher Education: Proven success in developing and managing programs that drive diversity and inclusion initiatives across university campuses.

oSupervisory and Strategic Planning: Experienced in overseeing departments and managing teams, with a record of addressing discrimination while implementing strategic plans to enhance campus climate and inclusivity.

oComplex Issue Resolution: Adept in crafting and executing solutions to intricate DEI issues, supporting inclusive excellence through data analysis and cross-functional collaboration.

Education & Training

Candidate for Ed.D – Education and Inclusive Curriculum Sciences Expected August 2026

Edgewood University – Madison, WI/Online

Dissertation Focus: Culturally Responsive/Relevant Teaching Pedagogy/Multiculturalism in curricula.

Master of Science – Dual Master of Public Administration (MPA) / Urban Policy Analysis and Management (MS) May 2002

The New School University - NY, NY

Concentration in Public Administration, Policy, Diversity and HR Compliance

Thesis: Immigration, Policy and Religion- The African, Caribbean and African American Diaspora

Dual Bachelor of Arts & Science – Political Science & English May 1999

Delaware State University- Dover, DE

Certification of Organizational Culture and Development 2022

Harvard University

DEI, Unconscious Bias and Competency in Cultures Certifications 2020

LinkedIn Corp.

Online Teaching Credential 2018

California State University

Certified Life Coach 2013

The Life Coaching Institute of Orange County

Certified Event Planner 2013

Correlations, Inc.

Training Module Trainer 2003

Association for Talent Development

Professional Human Resources 2002

Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)

ERS Group-OFCCP & Affirmative Action Planning 2007

Affirmative Action Plan Certification

Diversity Professional Certificate 2006

Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution FFC

EEO Counselor Certificate 2006

Fairfax County Government

EEO Law Course- EEO Law Certification 2000

Cornell University School of Industrial & Labor Relations

Teaching/Training, Facilitating and Relevant Professional Experience

Street Poets 2024- Present

Learning and Organizational Change Director

United States Department of Homeland Security- FEMA- 2024

Contract- Guest Trainer- Special Emphasis Program Manager Diversity, Equity, Affirmative Employment and Inclusion Virtual Training

The California State University at Los Angeles (CalStateLA) 2019- Present

Adjunct Professor/Lecturer- Political Science Dept

Member- Diversity and Equity Task Force- Cal State LA

The California State University at Northridge (CSUN) 2017- Present

Adjunct Professor/Lecturer- Africana Studies

Africana Studies Department Equity Representative

oTeach courses in DEI, politics, HR, and policy, preparing students for leadership roles in these fields.

oServe as a departmental Ethnic Studies Equity Representative, ensuring diverse perspectives guide departmental decisions.

The California State University at Los Angeles (CalStateLA) 2019

Guest-Professor/Lecturer- Political Science Dept- Organizational Change Management

Sprint 2018-2019

Leadership Trainer- California and Arizona

oEnhanced corporate diversity by implementing targeted inclusive leadership training initiatives focused on marginalized communities.

Petite Giant Enterprises, LLC (formerly The Culture & Coaching Corner) 2010- Present

Boutique Consulting Agency NYC and California

SENJI, Inc. Associate Director of Diversity and Organizational Culture 2014-2017

oEnhanced leadership development by executing DEI strategies to address resistance to change, improving cultural inclusivity with staff, team members, vendors, and clinicians.

oIncreased performance effectiveness through improved team dynamics by utilizing 360 feedback tools.

oMultiplied multicultural engagement and workplace culture by training staff in DEI EEO policies and developing pertinent initiatives.

Montgomery County College 2005

Instructor- Communication Skills

Nextracker 2022- 2024

(Head of) Sr. Director of Culture, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

oAddressed the lack of diversity within the organization by creating a DEI strategy and collaborating cross-functionally, resulting in a significantly more diverse talent pipeline.

oFaced with a need for inclusive leadership, developed and launched global DEI training programs to empower leaders, successfully cultivating an inclusive culture at NexTracker.

oTackled low cultural engagement by enhancing ERG activities with a strategic focus, leading to heightened engagement across the organization.

oIdentified and addressed retention issues by establishing DEI KPIs, resulting in a 25% improvement in retention and engagement.

oRaised NexTracker's industry presence by representing the company at conferences, enhancing its reputation in diversity and inclusion.

oCoordinated cultural events to meet inclusivity goals, earning the company recognition in Top Workplaces surveys.

Genesys 2020- 2021

Director Of Global Workplace Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

oIntegrated DEI principles into existing HR strategies, addressing gaps and significantly enhancing learning outcomes.

oImproved organizational strategy by collaborating globally to seamlessly integrate DEI principles across the talent lifecycle.

oElevated employee engagement and cultural competence by facilitating leadership training with stakeholders.

Cielo Talent 2020-Present

Diversity and Inclusion Recruitment Lead

oMet global recruitment objectives by developing strategic solutions to address challenges in diverse talent attraction.

oOvercame communication barriers by directing DEI projects that aligned cultural competence with corporate initiatives.

Sprint

Leadership Trainer 2018-2019

oEnhanced corporate diversity by implementing targeted leadership training initiatives focused on marginalized communities.

Petite Giant Enterprises (formerly The Culture and Coaching Corner) 2010- 2018

Trainer and Diversity Coach

Toys “R” Us Corporation California 2017-2018

People and Culture Manager, Inclusive HR Business Partner

oAligned employee experiences with corporate values to foster an enhanced cultural environment.

oManaged engagement, CSR, and learning initiatives by developing and tracking DEI KPIs effectively.

HCL Technologies, America- Orange County, California 2011- 2014

Sr. Manager for Diversity and Inclusion -North America/Mexico/Canada

oImplemented supportive DEI strategies to address recruitment diversity, achieving a 40% increase.

oAddressed progress challenges by conducting data analysis to refine DEI initiatives.

oFacilitated organizational change by developing ERGs, training the workforce, and establishing DEI policies.

oEnhanced corporate social responsibility by building relationships with community partners.

Verizon Business- New York, NY /Basking Ridge, NJ 2006-2010

Sr. Affirmative Action Specialist

oManaged projects for inclusive recruitment by leading initiatives for Affirmative Action plans and EEO compliance.

oEnhanced organizational integrity by partnering with HR and legal teams to maintain compliance.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue- Office of the Fire Chief, Fairfax, VA 2005-2006

EEO (ER/Diversity) Specialist

oReduced discrimination incidents and improved inclusivity by investigating workplace cases.

oSupported inclusivity and engagement by developing DEI initiatives that align leadership and community values.

Professional Diversity Network

Consulting Executive Director- Diversity Recruitment Compliance- (ERICA Program)

oDelivered DEI consultancy for OFCCP DOL compliance, improving workforce diversity communication strategies.

oEnsured adherence to strategic objectives by advising on DEI compliance during IPO processes.

New York City Department of Education- Brooklyn, NY 2010-2011

Diversity Specialist

oDeveloped policies to enhance diversity compliance, effectively overcoming traditional barriers.

oFacilitated diverse vendor engagement and inclusive community relationships by managing vendor programs.

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., Hartford, CT 2005

Employee Relations & EEO Specialist

oEnhanced EEO compliance and inclusiveness through specialized employee relations and DEIA implementation.

United States Department of Labor- Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs- (OFCCP)

Mountainside, NJ and New York, NY- District and Regional Offices 2003-2005

EEO Compliance Officer/Equal Opportunity Specialist

oConducted audits of Affirmative Action Plans to provide insights for improved DEI recruitment.

oReduced hiring discrimination by collaborating with legal teams to ensure adherence to federal regulations.

New York City Department of Sanitation- Bureau of Human Resources 2001-2003

Assistant Supervisor of Human Resources Investigations Unit

oManaged labor and employee relations challenges through HR Business Partner functions.

oEnhanced evaluation processes by establishing a performance development program.

New York City Equal Employment Practices Commission 1999-2001

EEO Auditor

oEnsured adherence to EEO Affirmative Action and DEI regulations by auditing compliance practices.

oProvided recommendations to enhance DEI initiatives across city agencies.

The Fashion Institute of Technology- State University of New York, NY, NY 1999

Higher Education Opportunity Assistant

Metropolitan College (Formerly Audrey Cohen College), NY, NY 1999-2000

College Career Services Specialist/Coach

Public Speaking/Speaking Engagements/Guest Speaking Engagements

California State University Faculty Retreat- Multiculturalism in the classroom in a volatile political climate. – Los Angeles, CA- 2025

Global Online Inclusion Forum Conference- Inclusion Strategy in the Workplace- 2023

Renewables Forward- HR Summit- Diversity and Equity in the Renewable Energy Industry- 2023

Solarplaza Summit Asset Management North America Conference –Diversity and Training- Speaker and Moderator, The Bay Area, CA- 2022

WoodMackenzie Energy Conference- Women in Diversity in STEM/Energy Panel- San Diego- 2022

Global Online Inclusion Forum Conference 2021- Speaker- Diversity and Bias in the Workplace

Online Inclusion Forum- CFC Big Ideas in Diversity- May 2021

Hall and Partners- Civil Rights Training 2021

California State University- Northridge- University Student Union- Guest Speaker on The Effects of White Supremacy and Professionalism (in the Workplace)

UCLA- Anderson School of Business- February 2020- Panel Speaker- Women in Leadership in Diversity

Black and Brown Conference- 2018- East Los Angeles Community College- Panel Speaker- Diversity in Education

Barriers to Employment in Municipal Government: Diversity and People with Disabilities; New York City Public Hearing- City Hall; February 2000

Teens Helping Each Other- THEO; The State University of New York at Downstate Brooklyn; Brooklyn, New York; 1999

Public Allies; June 1999

Special Projects: Reparations in California- Teaching Curriculum- California State University Northridge- Africana Studies Dept 2024; By Dr. Karin Stanford and Professor Tandalea Mercer

Honors/Awards

Verizon Foundation- ThinkFinity Award 2007 Lambe/Singlar Scholarship Recipient

LaGuardia Scholarship Recipient. New York Scholars Scholarship Recipient

Skills/Security

Adobe, SAP/SPSS, WebCT, Microsoft Office Professional Suite, Photoshop, Final Draft, PeopleSoft, Berkshire Software; Peoplesoft; Workday. Tableau, UKG, Taleo, Open Sesame, Canva

Conversant Spanish Language Proficiency

United States Security Clearance- Confidential 2003-2005- Issued- United States Department of Labor

United States Security Clearance- Spouse 2013-2017- Issued- United States Navy

Published Author and Ghost Writer- Lift Venture Capital- NY, NY

Professional Affiliations and Memberships (not exhaustive list)

Screen Actors Guild/American Federation of Radio and Television Artists 2008

National Association of African Americans in Human Resources 2006

Cambridge Who’s Who 2005

American Association for Affirmative Action 2004

Order of the Eastern Star 2001

Society of Human Resource Management 2000

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 1998

NAACP 1998

New York State Licensed Real Estate Sales Person 2011

Key Skills

DEI&B Strategy Development Data-Driven DE&I Initiatives Stakeholder Engagement & Executive Influence DE&I Metrics Development & Analysis Program Management in DE&I Contexts Event Coordination and Management for DE&I Initiatives Stakeholder Engagement & Cross-Functional Collaboration Data Reporting & Analysis in DE&I Cultural Competency Programs DE&I Strategy Alignment with Business Objectives Resource & Engagement Tracking ERG Curation DE&I History in multiple sectors Strategic Initiative Development & Execution Cross-Functional Collaboration Leadership Development & Mentoring Complex Project Management Organizational Improvement Community Engagement Cultural & Linguistic Responsiveness Strategic Initiative Development & Execution Program Management in DE&I Contexts Cultural Competency Programs Policy Development & Compliance Leadership Engagement for Inclusion Training Program Development Change Management for Cultural Transformation Global DEI Program Development Cultural Competency Initiatives Executive Collaboration and Influence Community Engagement and Outreach Industry Best Practices and Trends Onboarding Management Employee Engagement Planning Program Development and Implementation Recognition Program Initiatives Survey Design and Analysis Cultural Integration Facilitation Stakeholder Collaboration Workforce Inclusivity Enhancement Employee Lifecycle Optimization Talent Management Analytical Insights for Talent Development Training Design and Implementation DEI Communication and Storytelling Process-Driven Talent Management Solutions High-Growth Environment Adaptation Measurable Outcomes Achievement Global DEI Leadership Strategic Vision Setting Employee Engagement & Retention Strategies Data-Driven Decision Making DEI Training Inclusive Policy Development Proactive Challenge Identification Community and Inclusive Event Organization Thought Leadership in DEI DEI Learning & Development Leadership Innovative Program Design Consumer-Centric DEI Initiatives KPI Development & Accountability Social Impact & Community Engagement Cross-Functional Collaboration Entrepreneurial Thinking & Adaptability Discreet Handling of Sensitive Matters Science-Backed Bias SEEDS model Implicit Bias Training EDI Change Management DEI Program Evaluation DEI Metrics and KPIs Development Human Rights and Diversity Science Frameworks Innovative DEI Models Community Engagement & Outreach DEI Thought Leadership

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