Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Chief Diversity Officers of 2024. The Chief Diversity Officer has an important goal – to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment for all employees. A version of this role has been prominent since the 1970s. Today, over half of Fortune 500 companies have this position on their team, and that number continues to climb at prominent corporations, institutions, and organizations across the country.
This year’s honorees feature Alison Francis, the Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for Costco Wholesale. Francis began her career with Costco in 1997 and has served in multiple leadership roles. After receiving her Master’s degree in Human Resources Management with an emphasis on Diversity and Inclusion, she was promoted to her current C-suite role.
Another recipient, Pia House Walker, is a Senior Vice President and the Chief Human Resources and Diversity Officer at St. Joseph's Health. Walker has been a healthcare human resource professional for more than 25 years and has been with St. Joseph Health since June 2020.
Lastly, we extend our honors to Belinda Higgs Hyppolite, a leader in higher education, serving as Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion and as Chief Diversity Officer at the University of Oklahoma. In this role, Hyppolite is leading the university's new strategic plan, placing special emphasis on “Becoming a Place of Belonging and Emotional Growth for All Students, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni.”
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Chief Diversity Officers of 2024.
1. Tameka Harper
Global Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, The Coca-Cola Company
Tameka Harper is the Global Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer of The Coca-Cola Company, a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. She first joined the company in 2000 and has held various roles in IT, including program management, network engineering, and telecom architecture.
Harper is a pragmatic thought leader with a proven track record of leading global transformations, delivering effective leadership, and achieving impactful business outcomes. Previously, she was a sales engineer at Intercom. Earlier in her career, she worked with Thompson Company, Inc. as an electrical engineer. Harper earned an MBA in General Business from Mercer University and an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.
Harper has served on the board of directors for Dress for Success Atlanta from June 2011 to August 2013. Since September 2018, she has been a member of the board of directors for the Greater Women's Business Council, supporting women's business initiatives. In January 2024, she joined the board of directors for the Global Village Project.
2. Suheily Davis
VP & Global Chief Diversity Officer, McDonald's
Suheily Davis is the VP and Global Chief Diversity Officer for McDonald's, the world’s leading global food service retailer with over 37,000 locations in over 100 countries. More than 90% of McDonald’s restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local businessmen and women.
Davis has 16 years of experience. She is passionate about making an impact and thrives when helping others succeed. She excels at solving both legal and non-legal problems, building bridges, and getting things done. She started at McDonald’s as a senior counsel for global labor and employment in 2014. Working her way up the company ladder, she began her current VP role in 2024.
Before joining McDonald's, Davis was a senior associate at Ford & Harrison LLP. Earlier in her career, she worked with GREENE & LETTS as an attorney. Davis graduated from DePaul University College of Law with a JD and from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with an undergraduate degree in journalism.
3. Alison Francis
Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer, Costco Wholesale
Alison Francis began her career with Costco in 1997. During her tenure with Costco, she has worked in numerous management positions. Early on in her career, Francis attended Oakwood University, where she studied marketing, in addition to this, she minored in English with a writing emphasis. In 2003 after leaving Oakwood University, she relocated to Virginia and became the membership/marketing manager in Chantilly, Virginia.
Francis was promoted to general manager in 2012 and remained in that role for eight years. In January of 2020, she began pursuing her Master’s degree in Human Resources Management with an emphasis in Diversity and Inclusion at Georgetown University. Shortly after finishing her degree, Francis was promoted to the C-suite, reaching her current position in October of 2022. In 2024, she completed the Executive Leadership Program at Seattle University’s Albers School of Business.
Over the last two years, Francis has focused her efforts on launching Costco’s global DEI strategy, launching a diversity talent management dashboard in operations, and advancing initiatives to support the company's diverse group of employees. She has a passion for people and believes that the foundation for Inclusion starts with being proximate to people from all backgrounds and experiences.
4. Janice Dupré
EVP of Human Resources & Chief Diversity Officer, Lowe's Companies, Inc.
Janice Dupré is the Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer of Lowe's Companies, Inc., a home improvement company serving approximately 20 million customers a week in the United States. Dupré is responsible for the global human resources strategy practices and operations that enable Lowe’s to attract, motivate, develop, and retain outstanding associates. She also oversees Lowe’s corporate communications, community relations, and events planning and execution.
Dupré has 15 years of human resources and diversity and inclusion experience. Before her current role, she was senior vice president of diversity and talent management, where she served as chief diversity officer. She worked closely with leaders across the enterprise to expand and develop solutions that support Lowe’s mission and core behaviors while making diversity and inclusion a signature priority for the company. She was also responsible for associate learning and development, leadership development, trade skills, and Lowe’s University. Before joining Lowe’s, Dupré served as vice president of diversity and inclusion and the chief diversity officer for McKesson Corp. She previously held several human resources leadership roles at Dell. Before transitioning into human resources, Dupré had an extended career in finance and accounting with Dell, IBM, and EY.
Dupré graduated from Texas McCombs School of Business with an MBA in Finance and Management and from The University of Texas at Austin with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
5. Lindsay-Rae McIntyre
Chief Diversity Officer & Corporate VP of Talent Development, Microsoft
Lindsay-Rae McIntyre is the Chief Diversity Officer and Corporate Vice President of Talent Development at Microsoft. She first joined the company in 2018. In her role, McIntyre leads Microsoft’s strategic efforts and systemic solutions to advance diversity and inclusion and create equitable access to opportunities for all employees.
With more than 20 years of experience as a human resources executive in the technology sector, McIntyre is passionate about driving business growth through innovative and inclusive people strategies. Previously, she was a chief diversity officer and VP of human resources, executive succession, and development at IBM.
McIntyre earned an MBA in International Business from Duke University and an undergraduate degree in English, speech, and hearing sciences/communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Originally from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, she has lived and worked throughout the United States, Dubai, and Singapore.
6. Tinisha Agramonte
SVP & Chief Diversity Officer, The Walt Disney Company
Tinisha Agramonte is the Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer of The Walt Disney Company, an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate. Agramonte has 15 years of experience. She is a visionary thought leader and change agent who excels at articulating and demonstrating the business case for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She aligns, integrates, and operationalizes a diversity strategy in highly matrixed organizations across all business lines and at every level to achieve measurable results.
Agramonte is the architect of the First Generation Professionals Initiative, which addresses systemic employment barriers and inequities experienced by employees from low-income backgrounds and/or those who are the first in their families to graduate college and enter corporate work environments. She has demonstrated strategic vision, business acumen, and coalition-building competencies by successfully partnering with over 20 federal agencies to launch this groundbreaking initiative. Agramonte is a collaborative and strategic consultant to company boards, executive leadership teams, diversity councils, business resource groups, human resources, and other key stakeholders. She is a proven influencer who has effectively identified risks, gaps, and change management strategies to lead cultural transformation.
In 2021, Agramonte was named one of the top DEI leaders driving impactful change and was awarded the Eleanor Clark Diversity Leadership Award, among other recognitions. Previously, Agramonte was a VP of DEI talent outreach and development at Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products. Before that, she was a chief diversity officer at Motorola Solutions. Earlier in her career, she worked with the Department of Veterans Affairs as a director of outreach and retention. Agramonte graduated from the University of Oklahoma with an MA in Human Relations and from California State University, East Bay, with an undergraduate degree in mass communication and media studies.
7. Loren Hudson
SVP & Chief Diversity Officer, Comcast
Loren Hudson is the Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer of Comcast. Comcast delivers broadband, mobile, and video products that delight customers and technology that powers the future.
Hudson leads a shared effort to execute a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) human capital strategy that reflects and builds upon Comcast’s business goals. She also serves as a key partner to the company’s leaders and the broader human resources organization, establishing frameworks for DE&I accountability and driving employee training, career development, and education. Hudson has a proven track record of exceeding organizational goals and driving successful strategic process improvements, as well as successfully executing change management and organizational development initiatives.
Her experience in human resources spans more than 20 years. In 2000, Hudson joined Comcast and the cable industry as a human resources generalist. Since then, she has held a variety of leadership positions, most recently serving as vice president of human resources for the Comcast Beltway Region, overseeing more than 3,000 employees across Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Washington DC, and West Virginia. Hudson graduated from Rutgers University-New Brunswick with an MA in Labor and Industrial Relations and an undergraduate degree in labor studies.
8. Michelle Jordan
Chief Diversity Officer, AT&T
Michelle Jordan currently serves as Chief Diversity Officer at AT&T. AT&T is using their network, labs, products, services, and people to create a world where everything works together seamlessly. As a DEI leader for the telecommunications company, Jordan is responsible for leveraging AT&T’s diversity and inclusion strategy, programs, and partnerships to drive innovation and growth.
Jordan has been with AT&T since 2006, and her previous titles include vice president of talent and leadership development, where she was in charge of heading up talent strategy and design and delivery of AT&T leadership and executive experiences, and vice president of talent acquisition. Her talents have made an impact within AT&T teams, including product management, corporate strategy, service management, executive communications, call centers, and college recruitment.
Jordan started her career in environmental engineering, ran a chemical pilot plant operation, and launched a new line of chemicals. She has a passion for entrepreneurship, which led to her starting a business to support women entrepreneurs and to her stint as an adjunct for Atlanta Technical College teaching small business owners. Jordan is a graduate of a Historically Black College & University (HBCU), Florida A&M University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, and Kennesaw State University, where she completed her Master of Business Administration.
9. Rosalyn Carpenter
Chief Diversity Officer, CommonSpirit Health
Rosalyn Carpenter is the Chief Diversity Officer of CommonSpirit Health, a nonprofit, Catholic health system dedicated to advancing health for all people. Before joining CommonSpirit Health, Carpenter was a director and business diversity at HCA Corporate Supply Chain & HealthTrust Purchasing Group. Before that, she was a commissioner at the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority. Earlier in her career, she worked with the United Way of Metropolitan Nashville as a director.
Carpenter is a nationally recognized visionary leader, consensus-building community servant, and experienced change agent. Her deep knowledge and areas of expertise include supplier diversity program development, organizational change, process improvement, board development, community relations, community-police relations, and public outreach. She has a proven track record in cross-functional communications and notable capabilities for obtaining buy-in and cooperation for new initiatives, and she is committed to the highest standards of ethics.
Carpenter graduated from Tennessee State University with an EMBA in Business Administration, Management, and Operations and from Tennessee State University with an undergraduate degree in health, healthcare administration, and management.
10. Wanda Hope
Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, Johnson & Johnson
Wanda Bryant Hope is an accomplished business executive with significant experience in general management, marketing, sales, commercial operations, and human resources. She currently serves as Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Johnson & Johnson and is responsible for globally advancing the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) outcomes, strengthening DEI capabilities, and driving growth through innovation.
Before this role, Hope held a variety of leadership positions across Johnson & Johnson, including vice president of sales and marketing, vice president of commercial analytics, development and operations, and vice president of global performance and development. She has been recognized for her ability to exceed business results, deliver innovative solutions to complex challenges, lead global change, develop people for optimal results, and drive diversity and inclusion in global outcomes.
Hope is a sought-after speaker and thought leader on advancing DEI to drive business performance and results. She recently presented at the Fortune Most Powerful Women Conference and currently serves on the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the New Equality and Inclusion. Hope also serves as Chair of the Business Roundtable Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Working Group and on the Penn State Smeal College of Business Board of Visitors. She received her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from The Pennsylvania State University.
11. Patricia Rossman
Chief Diversity Officer & HR Communications, BASF
Patricia Rossman is the Chief Diversity Officer and HR Communications of BASF. She first joined the company in 2009 as director of HR communications. At BASF, they create chemistry for a sustainable future and combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility.
Her specialties include corporate communications, executive counsel, and team management. In her current role, Rossman is responsible for improving diversity and inclusion for BASF in North America, as well as handling HR communications. She previously served BASF as the director of HR communications, where she was responsible for all aspects of human resources communications for BASF in North America.
Earlier in her career, Rossman was a vice president of communications and public affairs for the Americas region at Ciba. She earned an undergraduate degree in journalism from St. Bonaventure University.
12. Candy Gee
Chief Diversity Officer, Roche
Candy Gee is the Chief Diversity Officer of Roche, a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalized healthcare, a strategy that aims to fit the right treatment to each patient in the best way possible.
Gee has 22 years of experience. Before assuming her current position at Roche in 2022, she was a global diversity and inclusion partner. In this role, she provided thought leadership on diversity, inclusion, and belonging across the organization with a focus on supporting the development and implementation of Roche's global D&I strategy. She enabled lasting changes aligned with Roche's purpose and values and led D&I initiatives across the enterprise to support the execution and achievement of Roche's D&I strategy and the 10-year ambitions.
Gee started her career at Roche Diagnostics as a business analyst in 2002. She graduated from Purdue University with an undergraduate degree in engineering and industrial management.
13. Shawn Outler
Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, Macy's
Shawn Outler is the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer of Macy's. The largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc. delivers quality fashion at affordable prices to customers at approximately 640 locations in 43 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam.
Outler is a renowned business leader, retail executive, and board member with over 30 years of experience. She works with large-scale retail companies and entrepreneurs to implement innovative business strategies, embed diversity, equity, and inclusion, and drive scalable growth and revenue generation plans.
Outler started her career in 1997 as a buyer at Lord & Taylor. From there, she eventually rose to divisional vice president at Macy's Central. Outler graduated from LIM College with a Doctorate of Commercial Science and from Syracuse University’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management with an undergraduate degree in marketing and transportation/distribution.
14. Julie King
Area Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer, Advocate Health
Julie King is the Area Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer of Advocate Health. She joined the company in 2023. Advocate Health is redefining how, when, and, where care is delivered to help people live well. They’re providing equitable care for all in their communities and using their combined strength and expertise to deliver better outcomes at a lower cost.
King is a seasoned leader with multiple certifications in diversity and inclusion, along with experience and expertise in healthcare operations, process improvement, and leadership development. She has a proven ability to develop strategy and lead large-scale, system-wide projects, consistently exceeding targets. Previously, King was a DEI learning director at Advocate Aurora Health. Before that, she was an operations improvement consultant. Earlier in her career, she worked with Planned Parenthood as an assistant manager of family planning.
King holds an MBA with a concentration in Organizational Behavior and has obtained additional certifications in Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt certified), change management, strategy and execution, management analytics, and human resources.
15. Gina Coleman
Chief Diversity Officer, PNC
Gina Coleman is the Chief Diversity Officer of PNC. The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. is an American bank holding company and financial services corporation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. PNC Bank is on the list of largest banks in the United States by assets and is one of the largest banks by number of branches, deposits, and number of ATMs.
Coleman has 33 years of experience. Before being promoted to her current role in 2022, she was a senior vice president and a diversity and inclusion executive at PNC. Her previous roles included chief sales officer at MassMutual Great Lakes and a strategic partner for The Collective Financial Group. Earlier in her career, she held multiple leadership roles back at PNC, including AVP, VP, and SVP.
Coleman started her career as a sales representative for the New Jersey Nets, also serving as an account executive and as the director of community relations. After that, she owned salons, including the Celebrities Unisex Hair Salon and Green Room Salon & Spa. Coleman graduated from Montclair State University with an undergraduate degree in recreation and leisure studies.
16. Belinda Higgs Hyppolite
VP for Diversity and Inclusion & Chief Diversity Officer, University of Oklahoma
Belinda Higgs Hyppolite was selected as Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer at the University of Oklahoma (OU) in January 2020. She has worked as a professional in higher education for 26 years. Under her leadership at OU, Hyppolite is helping to build the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and leading work related to the University's new strategic plan, placing special emphasis on Pillar IV, “Becoming a Place of Belonging and Emotional Growth for All Students, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni.” The University has received four national awards, including the City of Tulsa Chamber of Commerce Mosaic Inclusive Workplace award in 2020 and the NASPA Equity, Inclusion, Social Justice, and Related award in the fall of 2020. Most recently, OU received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award (HEED) in Fall 2021 and the INSIGHT Into Diversity 2021 Inspiring Programs in STEM award. Hyppolite also supports the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC).
Before her time at OU, Hyppolite served as the assistant vice president at the University of Central Florida, in Orlando, Florida. She has served in a variety of leadership roles and responsibilities. She started in student affairs, working on retention efforts for at-risk students and working with the residential students within housing and residential life, and served as an adjunct professor. Hyppolite has supported and advocated for several student populations, such as fraternity and sorority students, multicultural, low-income, first-generation, foster care, religious and non-religious, DACA, and Temporary Protective Status (TPS), and undocumented students. She also advocated for students in fraternity and sorority organizations, multicultural organizations, students in foster care, and TRIO-designated students.
Higgs Hyppolite holds two undergraduate degrees in psychology and speech pathology, two Master's degrees in Counseling Education and Human Resources, and a Doctorate of Education, specializing in Professional Leadership, Inquiry, and Transformation.
17. Amy Little
Human Resources Director & Chief Diversity Officer, International Paper
Today, Amy Little is the Human Resources Director for Talent Management and the Chief Diversity Officer of International Paper, a global producer of planet-friendly packaging, pulp, and other fiber-based products, and one of the world's largest recyclers. Headquartered in Memphis, TN, they employ approximately 39,000 colleagues globally who are committed to creating what's next.
Little has 20 years of experience as a business leader, providing functional expertise in all aspects of human resources, diversity and inclusion, and change management to meet global business goals. Her key accomplishments include creating and implementing strategy, advising senior leaders, building trust through collaboration and transparent feedback, conducting successful labor negotiations, leading deliberate improvement initiatives, and navigating cross-cultural issues. She is a native English speaker with advanced skills in Portuguese and Spanish.
Little started her career at International Paper as an HR specialist and then as a staffing consultant. After a brief time at ServiceMaster as a recruitment and retention director, she returned to International Paper as an HR manager, moving up the ranks for over seven years. In 2012, she accepted a VP role in HR at AGI-Shorewood, before returning to International Paper in 2013, where she has served ever since. Little graduated from The University of Memphis.
18. Megan Hogan
Global Head of Talent & Chief Diversity Officer, Goldman Sachs
Megan Hogan is the Global Head of Talent and Chief Diversity Officer of Goldman Sachs. She first joined the company in 2014 as a vice president. Founded in 1869, Goldman Sachs is a leading global investment banking, securities, and investment management firm.
In her current role, Hogan is responsible for the firm’s global diversity and inclusion strategy, with a focus on driving progress towards their aspirational goals, further enhancing the firm’s position as an employer of choice for diverse professionals, and evolving the approach to client engagement.
Previously, Hogan was a litigation associate at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP. She earned a JD in Law from Fordham University’s School of Law and an undergraduate degree in African-American studies and psychology from Yale University.
19. Geraldine White
Chief Diversity Officer, Publicis Groupe
Geraldine White is the Chief Diversity Officer of Publicis Groupe. White has scaled Publicis Groupe’s Talent, Engagement, and Inclusion (TEI) team to exist as a centrally-embedded practice, bringing the organization’s Viva La Différence motto to life in tangible ways. She leads with a focus on elevating talent experiences, improving systems, policies, and practices to create more equity, and continually enabling an inclusive environment for all identities and communities within the Publicis Groupe network.
With more than two decades of marketing and advertising experience spanning DE&I, business consulting, client services, and program management disciplines, White has spent her career overseeing cross-capability integration, productivity, and profitability across a diverse portfolio of industries and brands. Her unique skill sets of applying change management, systems thinking and business transformation have continued to yield measurable impact and sustainable organizational change. Before her current position, White was the head of diversity and inclusion in North America for Publicis Sapient.
Her subject matter expertise, thought leadership, and community advocacy have extended across industry forums, including New York Advertising Week, MediaVillage’s Advancing Diversity Honors Week, IAB’s Annual Leadership Meeting, Pharrell Williams’ Mighty Dream Forum the 4A’s Equity and Inclusion Congress, and beyond. Outside of the office, White is a devoted mom of four, a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, a Dress for Success career counselor volunteer, a central council delegate for her local school district, and a member of the district’s diversity council. She also serves on RIT’s Employer Advisory Board and the Board of A Call to Men. White graduated from Wagner College with a degree in psychology.
20. Latricia Hill-Chandler
Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, Southern Bancorp
With almost three decades in this field, LaTricia Hill-Chandler is an executive at Southern Bancorp, an Arkansas-based Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), serving as the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer. She was selected to lead the company’s commitment to representation, fairness, and belonging among its employees, customers, and communities.
Before this role, Hill-Chandler served as the DEI officer for Arvest Bank, where she was the first primary subject matter expert and architect of their diversity, equity, inclusion, and cross-cultural relations plans and programs. Before this role, she was a senior strategy manager for diversity and inclusion development in the Global Culture Diversity and Inclusion Office at Walmart Stores Inc. She was responsible for creating strategy and implementing the inclusive leadership initiative. Under her consulting firm, The Dadden Group, she was privileged to facilitate diversity and inclusion training for 25 military officers at the Pentagon in Washington DC. Before that, she was the national manager for diversity, inclusion, and community relations for Veolia North America and the director for supplier diversity with the Indianapolis Public Schools and the Central Indiana Educational Service Center. She also held the position of director of business diversity and compliance programs at Indiana University, the first of this role for any higher education institution in Indiana.
Hill-Chandler holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from HBCU, LeMoyne Owen College, and a Master of Science in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University. She is a Certified Diversity Executive from the Institute of Diversity Certification and has a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion certificate from the University of South Florida Muma College of Business. She is a graduate of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series (Class XXXVI). She was named a Champion of Diversity by the Indianapolis Recorder and Indiana Minority Business Magazine and the Indianapolis Choice-Avatar of the Year by the National Association of Women Business Owners Indianapolis chapter. Most recently, Hill-Chandler was named a 2023 Woman Trailblazer Honoree by the National Association of University Women. She is on multiple boards, including TASC (Teen Action Support Center) NWA, A Little Bit of HOPE, the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, the Office of Diversity at Walton College of Business, and the Inclusion Advisory Board at the University of Arkansas.
21. Camille Gilmore
Vice President, Human Resources and Global Chief Diversity Officer, Boston Scientific
Today, Camille Gilmore is the Vice President of Human Resources and Global Chief Diversity Officer of Boston Scientific. Boston Scientific transforms lives through innovative medical technologies that improve the health of patients around the world. As a global medical technology leader for more than 40 years, they advance science for life by providing a broad range of high-performance solutions that address unmet patient needs and reduce the cost of healthcare.
Gilmore is a highly accomplished vice president of human resources with more than 20 years of experience enhancing organizations through human resources and marketing leadership. She started her career in 2000 as a human resources program manager at IBM Global Services. From there, she eventually rose to manager of statewide recruitment services and training and development services for the State of Oregon, her most recent position before joining Boston Scientific.
Gilmore graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with an MBA in Human Resources and from Pennsylvania State University, State College, with an undergraduate degree in business management.
22. Natasha Hudspeth
VP of Talent & Chief Diversity Officer, Sevita
Natasha Hudspeth is the Vice President of Talent and Chief Diversity Officer of Sevita. She first joined the company in 2021. Sevita is the leading provider of home and community-based specialty healthcare, with 40,000 employees proudly serving over 50,000 individuals.
Hudspeth worked as the vice president of talent development at Learfield IMG College from August 2018 to December 2020. Before that, she served as the managing director of talent management and communications at G6 Hospitality LLC. She was also the director of leadership development and internal communications at Sabre Holdings and the director of talent development at Sabre Holdings. Earlier in her career, she was the senior principal of leadership development and the executive learning and development leader at Celanese. Additionally, she worked as a senior talent management consultant at FedEx and as a senior leadership strategy consultant.
Hudspeth began her career as an associate consultant at FedEx Office. Before that, she completed an internship at FedEx Kinkos. Hudspeth earned a degree in industrial psychology from Texas A&M University.
23. Judith Clarke
VP of Equity & Inclusion & Chief Diversity Officer, Stony Brook University and Health System
Judith Clarke is the Vice President for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer for Stony Brook University and Health System. She reports directly to the University President and sits on the university’s senior leadership teams, including the President’s Cabinet, University Council, Vice Presidents Council, and Campus Climate. She possesses over 18 years of experience working on senior management teams shaping strategic plans for diversity and establishing infrastructures for inclusive excellence and equity sustainability. She has a strong portfolio in grant funding and has demonstrated effective collection, analysis, problem-solving, and predictive analytical processes using benchmarked metrics that directly align with the institution’s goals.
Clarke is currently an American Association of State Colleges and Universities 2022 Millennium Leadership Initiative Fellow, Chair of the Association of American Universities CDO Steering Committee, and Co-Chair for the United States Anti-Doping Agency, Harvard Advanced Leadership Senior Fellow. She is also an external advisory committee member for three NSF-funded Science and Technology Centers – Center for Cellular Construction, Center for Oldest Ice Exploration, and Bio-Computation Evolution in Action Network.
Formerly, Clarke was a member of the External Advisory Committee for W.K. Kellogg Biological Research Station, Director’s Research Advisory Committee for MSU National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory, International Advisory Committee for the Joint Institute for Nuclear Astrophysics, and External Advisory Committee member for Nevada’s EPSCoR Grant for the Study of Solar, Wind and Water Power. She has experienced great athletic success, and she is a 4-time national collegiate champion, 12-time Big Ten Champion, three-time Pan American Games gold medalist, 1984 Olympic Silver Medalist, and 1987 Sports Illustrated Woman of the Year.
24. Shawn Abner-Purnell
Chief Diversity Officer, SJI
As Chief Diversity Officer for SJI, Shawn Abner-Purnell builds human capital strategies to create a culture of inclusion and belonging for all, where employees feel comfortable bringing their whole selves to work each day. Abner-Purnell joined SJI in 2016, advancing through various managerial roles within SJI’s HR department before being appointed director of organizational development and diversity/inclusion in 2018. Before her current position, she served as VP of DEI since 2021.
In her role, Abner-Purnell oversees the full scope of SJI's diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy, which includes career development programs, employee engagement initiatives, and talent management practices, to name a few. In addition, she collaborates with leaders to drive advocacy and adoption of business strategies that address talent, diversity, and inclusion gaps in all areas of the company. She also drives the organizational capabilities of SJI's workforce through talent development and culture transformation initiatives.
Before joining SJI, Abner-Purnell spent the majority of her career in the insurance industry, where she held leadership positions in organizational development and talent management. In these roles, she drove organizational performance through leadership and workforce development strategies. An alumnus of Morgan State University, she earned her undergraduate degree in business administration. In addition, she holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Development and Training from St. Joseph’s University. She currently resides in southern New Jersey with her husband of over 20 years and their three children.
25. Elaine Ho
Chief Diversity Officer, NASA
Elaine Ho is the Chief Diversity Officer of NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). She is a senior executive and change agent with over 20 years of experienced leadership across various government agencies and industries. In 2018, she was recognized as one of the Top Women in Tech by FedScoop.
Ho has extensive experience managing all functional aspects of daily operations for multimillion-dollar organizations, with specialized expertise in change management and human capital management. Her responsibilities have included operations strategy, budget management, HR and diversity and inclusion, communications management, facilities management, inventory management, training and development, program management, process improvements, and compliance.
Before joining NASA, Ho was a director of space stem policy at the National Space Council in The White House. Before that, she was chief of staff and director of operations for United States Digital Service. Earlier in her career, she worked with the United States Air Force as an attorney for USAF JAG corps. Ho graduated from the University of Florida with a JD and from Duke University Pratt School of Engineering with an undergraduate degree in civil and environmental engineering.
26. Kathleen Navarro
SVP, Head of Talent Management & Chief Diversity Officer, New York Life Insurance Company
Kathleen Navarro is the Senior Vice President, Head of Talent Management, and Chief Diversity Officer of New York Life Insurance Company. She is a dynamic talent and diversity leader with strong business acumen and substantial operational experience. She has worked with New York Life Insurance Company for over 30 years.
Navarro leads New York Life's integrated talent management and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) strategies, collaborating closely with various business areas to align these initiatives with organizational goals. New York Life is consistently recognized for its achievements in talent management and DE&I. The company has been named a Leading Inclusion Company on the Diversity Best Practices Index, ranked among Forbes' Top 50 Employers for Diversity, achieved a perfect 100 score on the HRC Corporate Equality Index, and featured in Training Magazine's Top Companies for Learning and Development. Additionally, New York Life has been honored as a Chief Learning Officer Elite Gold Organization.
Earlier in her career, Navarro worked as a billing supervisor at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. She graduated from Baruch College with an MBA in Accounting and from NYU Stern School of Business with an undergraduate degree in statistics and management.
27. Kate Hallihan
Assistant Dean of Students and Instruction & Chief Diversity Officer, John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University
Kate Hallihan is the Assistant Dean of Students and Instruction and Chief Diversity Officer of John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University. The Glenn School combines the research, technical assistance, and degree-granting authority of the School of Public Policy with the John Glenn Institute’s innovative public service training, outreach, and research support programs.
Previously, Hallihan was a director of curriculum and assessment at Ohio State University. She managed marketing, recruitment, advising, and administration of student services for PhD, Master of Public Administration, Master of Arts, and undergraduate degrees in public affairs. A specialist in higher education assessment, she also served as the author of the NASPAA Accreditation Report.
Earlier in her career, Hallihan worked with Ohio State University Graduate School as a director of professional development for graduate students and faculty. She earned an MA and PhD in Germanic Language and Literature from Ohio State University and an undergraduate degree in international relations and German from Michigan State University.
28. Sandra Sims-Williams
Chief Diversity Officer, Nielsen
Sandra Sims-Williams is Nielsen’s Chief Diversity Officer. Nielsen shapes the world’s media and content as a global leader in audience insights, data, and analytics. Through their understanding of people and their behaviors across all channels and platforms, they empower their clients with independent and actionable intelligence so they can connect and engage with their audiences now and into the future. Sims-Williams leads Nielsen’s DE&I strategy and team for the publicly traded media business.
Sims-Williams is a transformational leader with over 30 years of experience linking DE&I strategies with corporate initiatives. Before joining Nielsen, she was Publicis Groupe’s chief diversity officer and has a deep background in diverse leadership development, retention programming, analytics and effectiveness, supplier diversity, multicultural talent acquisition, and corporate initiatives that drive DE&I cross-functionally.
In 2019, Sims-Williams made the Black Enterprise Top Corporate Executives list, The Inaugural Champion, Adweek & ADCOLOR, and SAVOY Magazine’s Most Influential Women in Corporate America list. She is a member of The Advertising Industry’s Diversity Steering Committee and serves on the boards of New York Women in Communication, the Advertising Club of New York, and ColorComm. Sims-Williams holds a Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers and a Master of Arts from Hunter College in New York.
29. Lydia Smith
Chief Diversity Officer, Victoria's Secret
Lydia Smith began her professional career 20 years ago. Today, she is the Chief Diversity Officer of Victoria's Secret. Victoria’s Secret & Co. is a specialty retailer of modern, fashion-inspired collections, including signature bras, panties, lingerie, casual sleepwear, athleisure, and swimwear, as well as award-winning prestige fragrances and body care. Smith leads DEI strategies to strengthen inclusive culture, enhance talent pipelines, increase supplier diversity, and drive business initiatives that involve product and marketing.
After obtaining her MBA and BS from Florida A&M University, Smith began her career in information technology. In 2005, she was selected to be part of a prestigious, fast-track leadership program at General Electric, where she held multiple leadership roles in quality, project management, and marketing. Smith gained more exposure to DEI work as she served as a leader of GE’s African American Forum Employee Resource Group and led diversity recruitment for the IT leadership development program.
In 2016, she accepted a consulting role with Northwestern Mutual and was soon promoted to assistant director of diversity and inclusion while becoming a certified personal and executive coach. In parallel, she became co-owner of Social X, a professional organization focused on connecting, developing, and retaining minority talent in the city of Milwaukee. She also launched A New Thing Coaching & Consulting LLC, a business, where she helps clients address personal and professional challenges by offering custom career navigation strategies amongst other services. In 2019, she accepted the role of director of diversity and inclusion at Kohl’s Corporation. Today, she speaks nationally on DEI topics and teaches business administration part-time. Residing in Columbus Ohio, she is a published author, a proud mother of three very active daughters, and a change agent who has a passion to champion for underserved populations.
30. Tomya Watt
Chief Human Resources Officer & Chief Diversity Officer, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Tomya Watt is the Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Diversity Officer of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK or MSKCC), a cancer treatment and research institution in Manhattan New York City.
Watt is an influential, highly accomplished, and well-regarded C-suite human resource executive with more than 20 years of extensive experience developing and driving world-class human resource strategies and operations in diverse and ever-changing environments. She has a proven track record of success in scaling operations, providing exceptional human resource direction, and propelling operational excellence, positioning the organization as an industry leader in a highly competitive landscape. Her background includes spearheading human resource programs and best practices that champion the organizational mission and goals. She has executed on challenges while maintaining a forward-thinking, entrepreneurial mindset aligned with the enterprise vision.
Previously, Watt was a senior director at Kellyconnect at Kelly Services. Before that, she was a vice president and product manager for retail product management and planning at Comerica Bank. Earlier in her career, she worked with NBD BANK (now JPMorgan Chase) as a vice president and general consumer manager. Watt earned an MBA from Howard University and an undergraduate degree in economics from Spelman College.
31. Deborah Grimes
SVP & Chief Diversity Officer, Ochsner Health
Deborah Grimes is the SVP Chief Diversity Officer of Ochsner Health, the leading nonprofit healthcare provider in the Gulf South, delivering expert care at its 46 hospitals and more than 370 health and urgent care centers. Ochsner inspires healthier lives and stronger communities through a combination of standard-setting expertise, quality, and connection.
Grimes is an experienced vice president and chief diversity officer with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital and healthcare industry. She is skilled in electronic medical records (EMR), inpatient care, clinical research, customer service, and nursing education.
Previously, Grimes was an AVP and chief compliance officer at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Before that, she was an AVP for quality and a chief compliance officer at UAB Hospital. She studied quality and patient safety, health professions, and related clinical sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
32. Alica Delvalle
Chief Diversity Officer, Airbnb
Alica Delvalle is the Chief Diversity Officer of Airbnb. Started in 2007, Airbnb has since grown to over five million hosts who have welcomed over 1.5 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Delvalle leads the company's efforts to foster a culture of inclusion, equity, belonging, and connection for employees worldwide.
As a DEIB executive with over 20 years of experience in the legal profession, Delvalle has a proven track record of designing and implementing impactful programs, policies, and practices that are informed by data and legal considerations. Her work promotes transparency, empowerment, and growth across a diverse, global Fortune 500 organization.
Before joining Airbnb, Delvalle was a legal director of sales, marketing, products, and technology at SanDisk. Before that, she was the head of trademarks, copyrights, and marketing legal at Salesforce. Earlier in her career, she worked with Tularik Pharmaceutical Co. as a legal assistant. Delvalle graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a JD and from the University of California, Berkeley with an undergraduate degree in English and legal studies.
33. Adrienne Alberts
Chief Diversity Officer, American Red Cross
Adrienne Alberts began her professional career 27 years ago. Today, she is the Chief Diversity Officer of the American Red Cross, a nonprofit humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and disaster preparedness education in the United States.
Alberts is an experienced leader with a versatile background in both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. She possesses a strong consultative approach and excellent program and project management skills, with a focus on developing high-performing teams and investing in future leaders.
Alberts started her career in 1997 as an assistant director of multicultural outreach at the College of William and Mary. From there, she went on to the University of Virginia, before eventually rising to lead associate of university relations at Booz Allen Hamilton, her most recent position before joining the American Red Cross. Alberts holds a Master's degree in Higher Education Administration from James Madison University and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology.
34. Stephanie Noel
VP of Human Resources & Chief Diversity Officer, CSX
Stephanie Noel is the VP of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer of CSX, a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal, and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products.
Noel has 23 years of experience and has spent her career at CSX. She started as a market manager in 2001, and by 2005, she was promoted to a director role. She accepted her first C-suite role in 2015 as AVP of talent development and diversity, where she was responsible for developing organizational strategic workforce plans, aligning performance measures and outcomes, retaining and developing employees, and implementing diversity and inclusion and organizational effectiveness practices. Noal also created learning and development technologies and implemented effective and cost-efficient instructional design. She started her current VP role in 2018.
Noel graduated from Jacksonville University with an MBA and from the University of Kentucky with an undergraduate degree in psychology. She has also participated in the Harvard Business School (HBS) Executive Education program.
35. Carin Taylor
Chief Diversity Officer, Workday
Carin Taylor is the Chief Diversity Officer at Workday, a leading provider of enterprise cloud applications for finance and human resources. Taylor is a visionary leader with a proven track record of unapologetically championing DEI initiatives for over two decades. With an unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of belonging and equity for all, she is dedicated to helping ensure that all individuals have fair access to opportunities.
Renowned for her compassionate leadership style, Taylor leads with empathy, creating spaces, where every voice is valued and heard. A fearless advocate for inclusion excellence, she is recognized as a truth-teller, illuminating the path toward a more equitable and inclusive future, where people of all backgrounds and abilities not only succeed but thrive. Her tireless dedication to a more unified society serves as an inspiration for many.
Before joining Workday, Taylor served as the head of diversity, inclusion, and innovation at Genentech, where she was responsible for strategic initiatives, including executive coaching and thought leadership, building and leading highly effective teams, and improving employee engagement. From fit-for-purpose initiatives to scalable solutions, Taylor’s vast experience in driving greater inclusion, belonging, and equity across the enterprise has significantly served the business and the greater good. Before Genentech, she held various positions in human resources, inclusion and diversity, finance, and customer service at Cisco Systems.
36. Candice Cook
Chief Diversity Officer, US Department of Justice
Candice Cook serves as the Chief Diversity Officer for the Department of Justice. The mission of the Department of Justice is to uphold the rule of law, to keep the country safe, and to protect civil rights. Under the leadership of the Attorney General of the United States, the Justice Department is composed of more than 40 separate component organizations and more than 115,000 employees.
Before her current role, Cook served as the policy director for the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI), where she oversaw policy development, implementation, and compliance through multiple ODEI portfolios, including the Military Equal Opportunity program and the Diversity and Inclusion program. She also led DoD’s efforts on the Equity Action Plan under Executive Order 13985 and its first DoD DEIA Strategic Plan under Executive Order 14035. Cook developed DoD’s first-ever overarching civilian anti-harassment policy and contributed significantly to the development of its first comprehensive military anti-harassment policy.
Cook holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Southern Utah University, a JD from New England Law Boston, and a Master of Dispute Resolution from the Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution at the Pepperdine School of Law.
37. Alicia Petross
Chief Diversity Officer, The Hershey Company
Alicia Petross is the Chief Diversity Officer of The Hershey Company, an industry-leading snacks company known for bringing goodness to the world through its iconic brands, remarkable people, and enduring commitment to helping children succeed.
With 27 years of experience, Petross is an engaging, accomplished, and trusted diversity and inclusion leader responsible for managing headquarters clients, employee resource groups, and external diversity and inclusion partnerships. She has a proven track record of building trust and leading innovative approaches to diversity and inclusion, significantly improving performance in the DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity from the Noteworthy 25 to the Top 20. Her exceptional leadership ability is demonstrated by directing high-performing, cross-functional teams to exceed goals in complex environments. Petross possesses global knowledge of diversity, coupled with talent management expertise, as evidenced by ten years of progressively complex roles in human resources.
Before joining The Hershey Company, Petross was a senior group manager of diversity and inclusion at Target Corporation. Before that, she was a merchandising coordinator at May Corporation. Earlier in her career, she worked with Elsko Executive Search as an executive recruiter. Petross has an undergraduate degree in technical management, business management, and human resources.
38. Denice Cora-Bramble
Chief Diversity Officer, Children's National Hospital
Denice Cora-Bramble is the inaugural Chief Diversity Officer at Children’s National Hospital (CNH). A visionary leader, teacher, clinician, and researcher, her 21-year tenure at CNH included roles as chief medical officer and senior vice president, the first and only African American woman selected for either role. Over the past three years, Cora-Bramble launched and led CNH’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program, which in addition to improving the work environment for more than 7,000 employees, uses data to measure and address inequities in patient care.
The three cross-cutting themes of Cora-Bramble’s trailblazing career have been improving access to healthcare services for under-resourced communities; developing innovative programs; and leading diverse and effective teams. The recipient of multiple local and national awards, she was featured in the book, Against All Odds: Celebrating Black Women in Medicine, as one of 100 of the most prominent historical and contemporary Black women physicians in the US and was selected by the Latino Leaders magazine as one of 100 Most Influential Latinas in 2021. She is the recipient of the highest national honor in community pediatric education, the Academic Pediatric Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics’ National Pediatric Community Teaching Award. She was also recognized by the Washington Business Journal with a “Woman Who Means Business” Award and by the Washingtonian Magazine as one of Washington’s “Most Powerful Women.” She credits her most significant achievement to being a mother of three and grandmother of five children.
After finishing a Bachelor of Science at George Washington University, Cora-Bramble completed her medical and pediatric residency training at Howard University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University. Her professional development also included international and national learning laboratories as part of a three-year Kellogg Foundation Leadership fellowship. She is a professor of pediatrics at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics.
39. Joy Fowler
Chief Diversity & Equity Officer, Multnomah County
Joy Fowler is the Chief Diversity and Equity Officer of Multnomah County. At Multnomah County, the organization's top priority is to meet the many needs of its residents. They provide various essential services, including health, community justice, roads, elections, libraries, jails, bridges, tax and assessment, marriage licenses, animal services, passports, mental health and addiction services, and more.
In this role, Fowler is responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction for the county’s equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts, both those related to internal systems and culture, as well as community-facing policies and programs. She serves as an advisor to the chair and a member of the leadership team and ensures that equity and inclusion are infused into the county’s culture, strategies, and goals. She also supports the effective implementation of critical equity-centered programs within the Office of Diversity and Equity, ensuring that in collaboration with youth, community members, employees, and equity practitioners, the county continues forward progress towards dismantling systemic racism and becoming a more racially just and equitable organization.
Before joining Multnomah County, Fowler was a senior diversity manager at Port of Portland. Before that, she was a VP and diversity and inclusion manager at Umpqua Bank. Fowler graduated from Portland State University School of Business with an MBA.
40. Karen Morrison
Chief Diversity Officer, University of Central Florida
Karen Morrison is the Chief Diversity Officer of the University of Central Florida. Founded in 1963 to provide talent for Central Florida and the growing US space program, UCF has 13 colleges and more than 230 degree programs.
Morrison has worked tirelessly in the areas of inclusion and diversity during an extensive career in the university system in the United States. She served for eight years as the NCAA’s director of inclusion, overseeing the education of the membership, national office, public, and media on women’s issues in sports, Title IX, LGBTQ+ issues, and women’s professional development and leadership.
Morrison started her career in 1990 as a coach and administrator at the University of Colorado. She graduated from Notre Dame Law School with a JD in Law and from the University of Oklahoma with an undergraduate degree in business administration and management.
41. Michele Laven
Chief Human Resources Officer & Chief Diversity Officer, iHeartMedia
Michele Laven is the Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Diversity Officer of iHeartMedia. She first joined the company in 2006 as vice president of integrated media. With over a quarter of a billion monthly listeners in the US and over 129 million social followers, iHeartMedia has the largest national reach of any radio or television outlet in America.
Laven is an experienced executive leader with a demonstrated history of working in the media industry. She is a strong business development professional, skilled in creating strategic partnerships, sales, marketing, business relationship management, and team leadership.
Previously, Laven was a president and COO at New Times Media/The Ruxton Group. Earlier in her career, she worked with Phoenix New Times as a publisher. Laven graduated from The University of Alabama.
42. Kelcey Roegiers
Chief Diversity Officer, Georgia State University
Kelcey Roegiers is the Chief Diversity Officer of Georgia State University, an urban public research university and national model for student success in Atlanta, the cultural and economic center of the Southeast. The largest university in the state and one of the largest in the nation, Georgia State provides its faculty and more than 51,000 students with unsurpassed access to opportunities in one of America's great global cities. Roegiers joined the Georgia State staff in 2015 as the senior associate athletic director and the senior woman administrator, and she took over as the human resources officer in 2023. Roegiers oversees the compliance, academics, strength and conditioning, life skills, and sports medicine departments, and serves as the Title IX Deputy Coordinator. She is also serving as sports supervisor for women's basketball, court volleyball, beach volleyball, men's soccer, and women's soccer.
Previously, Roegiers spent more than four years with the women's basketball program in an administrative role. She is also an ESPN+ color commentator for Georgia State women's basketball television broadcasts. Involved with the Georgia State Athletic Department since her days as a student-athlete, Roegiers competed for the Panther women's basketball squad as a four-year letter winner and still ranks on several Panther top-10 charts, including assists, steals, free throws made, and 3-pointers made.
Roegiers earned her bachelor's degree from Georgia State in 2007 and followed with a Master's in Sports Business Administration in 2011. She is actively involved within the NCAA governance structure. She currently serves on the NCAA Women’s Basketball Rules Committee. She is a graduate of the 1A Athletic Director Institute and is an active member of Women Leaders in College Sports (formerly NACWAA). Roegiers was involved in the development of the athletics department's strategic planning initiative, as well as the Sun Belt Conference Strategic Planning Committee.
43. Pia House Walker
SVP & Chief Human Resources and Diversity Officer, St. Joseph's Health
Pia House Walker has been a healthcare human resource professional for more than 25 years. She joined St. Joseph Health in June 2020 as a VP and the Chief Human Resources Officer and was promoted in November 2021 to Senior Vice President. She received the additional appointment as the organization's first Chief Diversity Officer in March 2022.
Walker has served in leadership for the last 18 years supporting organizations to achieve positive employee experiences for their teams. Her support ensured positive patient outcomes by leading teams through their talent acquisition and onboarding, workforce relations, learning, and organizational development, total rewards, employee recognition, and DEI initiatives. In 2019, she was a winner of the Individual Diversity First award, which exhibits leadership and dedication through diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Walker was recognized as a 2021 Top 50 HR Officer through the National Diversity and Leadership Council, a 2022 Women of Achievement by the Northern New Jersey Girl Scouts Association, and a 2022 Top Women in Healthcare by the National Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consortium. Most recently, she was recognized through the National Diversity Council as a 2023 DEI Influencer.
Walker holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Change from Pfeiffer University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Human Resources from Livingston College.
44. Angela Russell
Chief Diversity Officer, TruStage
Angela Russell has diverse work experience spanning multiple organizations and roles. She currently works at TruStage as the Chief Diversity Officer. TruStage is a financially strong insurance, investment, and technology provider, built on the philosophy of helping people. They believe a brighter financial future should be accessible to everyone, and their products and solutions help people confidently make financial decisions that work for them at every stage of life.
Before this role, Russell served as the vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion and the director and manager of diversity and inclusion at TruStage. Previously, she worked at Public Health Madison and Dane County as a health equity coordinator, where she provided consultation on integrating health and racial equity principles within the organization. Additionally, Russell held the position of community engagement lead at UW-Madison’s Population Health Institute, where she executed community engagement strategies for the annual release of the County Health Rankings. Russell also worked at the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families as a division administrator and director of external affairs and government relations. Her earlier experiences include working as a policy advisor at the Office of Governor Jim Doyle and as an epidemiologist at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Russell earned a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Biochemistry from Beloit College. She then obtained a Master of Science in Population Health from the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. In 2021, she completed the Black Executive Leadership Program at McKinsey & Company.
45. Renada Deschamp
SVP of Health Equity & Inclusion & Chief Diversity Officer, Woman's Hospital
Renada Deschamp is the Senior Vice President of Health Equity and Inclusion and the Chief Diversity Officer of Woman's Hospital. She first joined the team in 2022. Woman's was one of the first women's specialty hospitals in the nation and is currently one of the largest in the United States.
Deschamp is passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion, and fostering a sense of belonging in the work environment. She is enthusiastic about developing people's skills and positively impacting the quality of talent within organizations. She loves seeing individuals succeed, achieve their personal goals, and reach their full potential. Previously, Deschamp was a diversity equity and inclusion integration program manager at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System. Before that, she was a talent development specialist at Community Coffee. Earlier in her career, she worked with ITI Technical College as an admissions representative/ recruiter.
Deschamp earned an MPA in Public Administration from Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College at Baton Rouge and an undergraduate degree in political science from Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College at Baton Rouge.
46. Rosa Nuñez
Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Foley Hoag
Rosa Nuñez is the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Foley Hoag, a mid-sized, international law firm that focuses on innovative industries and high-stakes litigation. Nuñez is responsible for developing, implementing, leading, and championing proactive diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and programs, in alignment with Foley Hoag's overall strategic plans. She is a strategic partner to the firm’s Executive Committee and also a co-chair of the firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
Nuñez has over 15 years of experience specializing in workplace diversity, equity, inclusion, employee engagement, workplace culture, and community outreach programs. Most recently, she worked at BCW Global-Burson Cohn & Wolfe in New York as an SVP and senior director, where she was responsible for creating and implementing a comprehensive US inclusion, diversity, equity, and belonging strategy to identify talent and help them flourish at BCW. Before that, she was the US head of diversity and inclusion at Omnicom Media Group. She started her career as a member of the Global Diversity and Inclusion Team at information technology and global consulting firm, Accenture.
Nuñez’s initiatives are centered on awareness building, recruitment, engagement, retention, thought leadership, and external positioning. She is a national board member of INROADS, the oldest and largest nonprofit organization creating pathways to careers for ethnically diverse high school and college students across the country. Nuñez graduated from the University of Phoenix with an MBA in Business Administration and Organizational Development and from Fordham University with an undergraduate degree in arts management.
47. Nicole Belisle
Chief Diversity Officer, Palomar College
Nicole Belisle is the Chief Diversity Officer of Palomar College. A public two-year community college, the Palomar campus is located in San Marcos, California. Students may choose from over 200 associate degree and certificate programs, complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree, or enjoy personal enrichment classes for lifelong learning.
Previously, Belisle was an associate chief diversity officer for strategic initiatives at San Diego State University. She started there as a diversity officer. This role assumed a shared responsibility in coordinating activities in the Center for Inclusive Excellence, including developing communications, processes, and reporting structures to improve the efficacy of programming and providing day-to-day support and oversight to student employees.
Belisle earned a PhD in Student Affairs and Higher Education from Claremont Graduate University, an MA in Sociology and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and an undergraduate degree in sociology from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
48. Kesha Carter
Chief Diversity Officer, Coordinated Care Services, Inc.
Kesha Carter is the Chief Diversity Officer for CCSI. There, she leads the organizational strategy on diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and antiracism. She has facilitated DEI workshops, conversations, and trainings, both locally and nationally. Carter has developed policies and programs to attract, retain, and promote a diverse workforce leading to greater employee engagement.
Carter is a Certified Diversity Executive and holds a Six Sigma Green Belt, as well as a Professional Human Resources certification from the Human Resource Capital Institute. Integrally involved in the community, she is a board member of Rochester RHIO, The Women’s Council, Mission Fulfilled, and Willow Domestic Violence Center, and she is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.
Carter earned her undergraduate degree in organizational leadership, as well as a Master of Science in Business Administration and Management, both from Keuka College. She brings over 15 years of experience to her role and is committed to creating continuous growth through education and collaboration.
49. Jackie Cureton
Chief Diversity Officer, Bitly
Jackie Cureton is the Chief Diversity Officer of Bitly. She first joined the company in 2022 as VP of diversity equity and inclusion. Bitly is your all-in-one connections platform for short links, QR codes, and link-in-bio backed by detailed analytics.
As a global leader with over a decade of industry experience, Cureton has expertise in diversity and inclusion, human capital management, business strategy, program management, organizational effectiveness, and team building. She has been actively involved in various volunteer roles. Since July 2020, she has served as a global catalyst for The League of Intrapreneurs, contributing to a global learning community focused on creating change from within organizations. She has been a national board member for Generation Citizen, where she engaged in political advocacy and education, and a staff parish relationship board member at Valhalla United Methodist Church. Cureton co-founded the Parents Encouraging Awareness and Community Conversations (PEACC) group at the School of the Holy Child, and she also volunteers with Midnight Run, a social services organization that bridges the gap between the housed and the homeless by distributing food and clothing in New York City.
Previously, Cureton was a diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting practice leader at Deloitte Consulting. Before that, she was a global head of HR at Thomson Reuters. Cureton earned an EMBA from Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management and an undergraduate degree from SUNY Empire State College.
50. Latonia Craig
Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, American Veterinary Medical Association
Latonia Craig is the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association), which she started in September 2022. The AVMA is the nation’s leading advocate for the veterinary profession. Representing more than 91,000 members, they protect, promote, and advance the needs of all veterinarians and those they serve.
Previously, Craig worked as a part-time lecturer at the University of Louisville, starting in 2006. She also held the position of Assistant dean for inclusive excellence at Purdue University from 2019 to 2022, where she developed and implemented a college-wide diversity strategic plan. She served as the director of graduate recruitment and diversity retention at the University of Louisville's School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies (SIGS) from 2014 to 2019, where she established community and institutional partnerships and developed a diversity newsletter. Additionally, she worked as an academic advisor and instructor at Spalding University from 2012 to 2014 and an instructor at the University of Louisville's Department of Pan-African Studies from 2010 to 2012.
Craig has a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Louisville. She then earned her first Master's degree in Pan-African Studies, also from the University of Louisville, obtaining a second Master's degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati. She also completed a Doctor of Education program focused on Leadership at Spalding University.