I am passionate about building diverse, inclusive, equitable, purpose-driven workplaces. I'm an advocate for leading with empathy, compassion, respect, and love to build a culture of togetherness and a sense of belonging for employees. Because when you adopt an ‘employee-first’ leadership approach, everyone benefits. Engagement reaches new heights, collaboration flourishes, and turnover sits at an all-time low. All you need to do is put your heart first. It’s our pathway to a more inclusive, innovative and prosperous future.In the role of IBM’s Global Leader for Diversity & Inclusion, I lead and activate IBM’s enterprise-wide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy in support of our corporate purpose and focused on delivering employee-centric programs and initiatives.A strategic partner to the company’s Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, HR centers of excellence, business line executives, and external associations, I drive systemic change through community engagement, external investments, and leadership accountability.Building, leading and developing a high-performing team that has increased corporate-wide engagement across diverse communities over the past three years, I have nurtured one of the largest company-wide communities for learning and engagement. Under my direction, these workplace programs have earned IBM prolonged recognition as one of the top companies for championing diversity, equality, and fairness policies. An industry-recognized spokesperson and keynote, I bring a scholarly approach to my D&I-based career. I am a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership and Learning in Organizations from Vanderbilt University, where my practice and research fields involve diversity, inclusion, organizational trust, and employee engagement.During my IBM career, I have applied expertise in Human Resource Policy and Practices, Program Development and Management, Talent Acquisition, Employee Engagement and Culture, and Change Management to HR leadership roles across the organization. I am also recognized as the catalyst behind IBM's 8-bar rainbow logo and I have previously co-authored an industry white paper translated into five languages and commercialized as best practice.I hold a Bachelor of Science in Education from Ohio State University and a Master of Human Resource Management from Florida International University, receiving top-class honors and the prestigious Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) scholarship award. I also serve as a member of the Advisory Board for the FIU Chapman Graduate School of Business.