Cassandra W. Email and Phone Number

As Director of Talent Activation at Invitation Homes, I am at the forefront of our efforts to cultivate a thriving and inclusive workplace. Reporting directly to the VP of Talent and Culture, I am responsible for driving talent management, employee engagement, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Key Responsibilities:Strategic Leadership: Collaborate with senior leadership to design and implement initiatives aligning with organizational goals, including refreshing our mission, vision, and values.Talent Strategy Development: Partner with the VP of Talent and Culture to create a robust talent strategy supporting business objectives and fostering employee growth.Talent Management: Direct comprehensive programs encompassing performance management, employee engagement, leadership development, succession planning, and employee recognition. Collaborate with HR Business Partners (HRBPs) to refine talent planning processes, including enhancing documentation, mitigating bias, and leveraging data for strategic insights.Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Integrate DEI as a cornerstone of our strategy, enhancing initiatives to foster a culture of belonging and promote workforce diversity within our talent management framework.Change Management: Lead change initiatives supporting organizational transformation, ensuring seamless transitions and effective communication.Stakeholder Collaboration: Cultivate strong relationships with HR, business leaders, and external partners to drive collaborative efforts supporting our talent strategy and organizational goals.

In response to a structural shift that led to the elimination of my previous position, I took a purposeful career break to focus on professional development and contribute to impactful projects. During this time, I provided leadership training and executive coaching to two key clients. Notably, I collaborated with a prominent university's Diversity and Access Office on organizational development and leadership consulting. Additionally, I stayed informed about the latest trends in DEI and leadership, enhancing my capabilities for my next leadership role in shaping inclusive cultures and driving organizational success.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Led cross-functional team, including Talent Acquisition, Talent Development, HR Business Partners, and Legal, collaborating closely with CHROs and business leaders to develop and execute a comprehensive, data-driven DEI Roadmap with defined KPIs and benchmarks. Achieved a 6% increase in workplace diversity and a 9% increase in leadership diversity within the first year.𝗘𝗥𝗚 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Scaled ERG initiatives, overseeing 10 groups, and launched a new parent/caregiver ERG and Customer Development Division DEI Council. Integrated ERGs into various DEI initiatives, spanning recruiting, onboarding, product insights, content development, and HR culture building activities. 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽: Guided ERGs and product teams globally, fostering a consistent and inclusive approach across diverse regions (Asia, Europe, and Canada). Partnered with external organizations like the Center for Disability Inclusion and Human Rights Campaign to advance DEI efforts.𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘀: Operated at the enterprise level, collaborating with HR and DEI teams across Hallmark's four distinct businesses. Aligned ERG initiatives with the overarching DEI strategy, ensuring an inclusive approach to talent management, employee engagement, and product development. 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗗𝗘𝗜 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗦𝗥 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: Worked closely with Corporate Communications to craft impactful DEI messaging in employee communications, intranet content, and internet pages. Supported corporate social responsibility reporting in annual reports, ensuring transparent documentation of the organization's commitment to DEI. Spearheaded the monthly Dose of DEI newsletter to recognize outstanding work across the enterprise.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Launched Parkland's inaugural 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge, engaging various stakeholders and 10% of the staff across the healthcare system. Earned the first-place in Cultural Awareness and Inclusion at the ATD Dallas Chapter 2021 AXIS Awards.Reported directly to the SVP & Associate Chief Talent Officer, actively contributing to the development of Parkland's overarching DEI strategy. Integrated clear, measurable goals and metrics, leveraging talent data to inform decision-making.Managed six ERGs, aligning their initiatives with DEI strategy, and successfully launched three new ERGs in the first year.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Conducted executive coaching sessions for leaders at the Director level and above, utilizing 360-degree multi-rater feedback to enhance leadership competencies.Facilitated offsite retreats with executive leadership, including the Chief of Nursing and Chief of Medical Affairs. Focused on fostering improved team alignment, collaboration, and psychological safety.Developed and led virtual leadership meetups during the pandemic. Delivered essential coaching for managers while partnering with senior leaders to co-lead the sessions.

𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵: Delivered executive coaching services for senior leaders, including the VP of Government Relations and VP of Corporate Communications at a leading financial institution.𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿: Led the Dallas engagement for Let It Ripple Film Studio's renowned 50/50 Day and Character Day global initiative promoting cross-cultural conversations and film screenings, reaching 100+ participants from diverse backgrounds and contributing to the growth of the global initiative to 36,000+ events in 50 states and 147 countries.𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽: As Lead Trainer for SkillPath Seminars, leading six contract trainers, conducted diversity and supervisor training for AAFES Retail Managers at field locations throughout the United States and globally, including Germany, Japan, Great Britain, and South Korea. 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺: Designed and executed a 16-week program, W.R.I.T.E, benefiting 270+ participants aged 17-24, training a diverse team of educators and earning the City of Dallas the Outstanding Summer Youth Contractor recognition. 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿: Managed a team of seven trainers, delivering career-focused workshops for the Adult and Dislocated Worker Program as a multi-year contract provider with Texas Workforce Commission. 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿: Published top-selling business skills book, "How to Manage Unacceptable Employee Behavior" and quoted in leadership expert John Maxwell's book, "Everyone Communicates, Few Connect." 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿/𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗿: Compiled and published a series of three Amazon best-selling motivational anthology books titled "Strengthen Your Wings."

Developed engaging and customized solutions for both Instructor-led and Web-based training, ensuring interactive and effective learning experiences. Created storyboards and course outlines to guide online training development. Collaborated closely with subject-matter experts, graphic design and programming teams to reuse existing content, formulate clear learning objectives, and produce compelling course material. Designed and implemented evaluations and tests to assess learning outcomes.

Formerly Central and South West Services, Inc., currently operating as American Electric Power (AEP). Conducted needs assessments to identify specific training requirements and organizational gaps. Designed and implemented training programs to address identified challenges. Customized curriculum to the unique needs of diverse target audiences. Implemented evaluation strategies to measure program effectiveness and assess impact on organizational performance and return on investment.