Chandra Cook Email & Phone Number

Pentagon, Washington, Dc

Authoritative expert on Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX, where I supervise and effectively manage, review, and lead a team of government and contractor support for the Department of Defense (DoD). Using a mixed-methods analysis, I investigate trends related to workplace triggers and barriers identified through various methods such as the Management Directive 715 and 462 data across race/ethnicity, sex, and disability status associated with the Department’s policies, procedures, and practices. As the Senior Policy Advisor providing services to over 700,000 civilians within the DoD, I advise employees, managers, and DoD senior leadership to develop strategies and practices that promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. I have been instrumental in the Department-wide Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Strategic Plan, including a framework to address workplace harassment and a data-driven approach to increase transparency and accountability. On behalf of the Department, I independently draft and review responses to inquiries from Congress, including Congressional testimonies and Confirmation Hearings, White House, Secretary(s), and other Administration sources and outside groups on issues related to Departmental policies. I have conducted several high-level research studies in response to the National Defense Authorization Act. One research project involved assessing barriers to minority participation in special operations forces in a workforce of over 2 million service members and to ensure the timely submission of the final report to Congress. This research helped the Department gain an understanding of progress implementing past recommendations to address barriers as well as identifying remaining challenges with respect to diversity and inclusion in special operations. I also launched a two-year study into the DoD Military Justice System to probe into military justice data to identify observed racial, ethnic, or gender disparities.

Fort Meade, Md

I was responsible for planning, directing, managing and overseeing the timely execution of daily operations by assuring efficient and effective operations of the Federal EEO program, determining goals and objectives, developing and evaluating performance, making recommendations, managing resources, and resolving conflicts. I researched EEO case laws to develop legally sound accept/dismiss decisions. Additionally, I researched and reviewed DOD, Agency policies, regulations, instructions, and manuals for appropriate usage in discrimination cases. • Established guidelines and standards for report of investigation through sufficiency reviews on work products.• Established reasonable accommodation procedures for end of year reporting and monitoring.• Wrote articles on diversity and established focus groups.• Developed performance plans and appraised performance. • Established relationships and collaborated outside EEO/Diversity organizations to coordinate and conduct ethnic and special emphasis commemorations. Worked to develop a candidate pipeline in support of diversity and recruitment efforts. Praised by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) for diversity efforts.• Independently met with DISA managers and customers to resolve employment problems which may have been systemic or the potential for individual complaints. I conducted specialized briefings for the agency's senior leaders on their responsibilities and needed support towards the Agency's EEO and Diversity Strategic goals.Through team building efforts, I encouraged employees to give 100% and produce work products with a spirit of excellence despite staffing shortages, increased workloads, and challenging requirements. Encouraging employees to "think outside the box" revitalized the agency's special emphasis program and resulted in six special emphasis observances to include the first LGBT social event and two events highlighting Disability Awareness.

Subject matter expert for EEO and Diversity Programs where I plan, organize, direct, execute, provide advice and guidance, review and evaluate a positive, management-oriented EEO Program that ensures demonstrated commitment from leadership; integration of EEO principles into the agency's strategic mission; management and program accountability; proactive prevention of discrimination; efficiency; and, responsive and legal compliance. This is accomplished through conducting barrier analyses; trend analyses; dispute resolution; discrimination complaints program oversight and developing sound strategies to resolve identified issues.In addition to the above responsibilities, I perform a full range of supervisory duties including developing performance plans, assessing and rating staff performance, assigning work, providing technical oversight, interviewing and recommending hiring/promotions, initiating disciplinary actions and identifying the training needs of employees

My duties include determining/planning/organizing program resources, setting goals, evaluating results, resolving systemic issues, establishing special initiatives or changes in policies, practices, procedures to meet the essential elements for a model EEO program. Determining the need for program resources, to include personnel, money, equipment, etc., and initiate actions to obtain resources. Analyzes and monitors discrimination complaints to identify problem areas and to develop information for use in designing more effective programs, plans, and actions. Develops and participates in the presentation of formal training to managers and supervisors. I prepare and implement affirmative employment plans (MD715) by analyzing workforce data, complaint trends, and related evidence. I manage affirmative employment compliance reviews that support the mission of ED. I propose solutions to complaints of a complex nature based on an assessment of varying points on issues including failure to hire, failure to promote, disciplinary actions, reassignments, job training, and reprisal based on race, sex, religion, and national origin.Negotiates with managers at all levels within ED, personnel and union officials, and other interested parties to write, monitor and implement the terms of settlement agreements. Manages a staff of four Equal Employment Specialists, one Program Analyst, and one Equal Employment Assistant. Works with the EEOS Director and Human Capital Officer to coordinate planning, developing, and managing of future human capital initiatives within EEOS. Ensures that recruitment and placement operations and programs are executed efficiently, and in compliance with regulatory requirements. Develops and implements changes in policies, methods, or procedures to improve operations. Instrumental in implementing Micropact's iComplaints and eVersity programs within ED.