Michele C. Meyer-Shipp, Esq. Email & Phone Number

United States

New York, Ny, Us

Daytona Beach, Fl, Us

New York, New York, Us

Toronto, On, Ca

Diversity and inclusion (D&I) thought leader, strategist and consultant for the firm. Duties include creating and deploying D&I strategy, building out the infrastructure to support the strategy, and ensuring that the firm’s foundational principles of inclusiveness and diversity are reflected in all of its internal and external policies, work and practices. Closely collaborate with stakeholders across the firm to drive efforts forward. Build strategic external partnerships.

Us

Diversity and inclusion (D&I) thought leader, strategist and consultant for the firm. Duties include creating and deploying D&I strategy, building out the infrastructure to support the strategy, and ensuring that the firm’s foundational principles of inclusiveness and diversity are reflected in all of its internal and external policies, work and practices. Closely collaborate with stakeholders across the firm to drive efforts forward. Build strategic external partnerships.

Newark, New Jersey, Us

Diversity and inclusion (D&I) thought leader, strategist and consultant to leaders globally. Responsibilities included ensuring alignment of D&I and business objectives across the enterprise; working closely with business leaders, human resources, employment law, employee relations, and other stakeholders to ensure that D&I was integrated into core business, talent, and community engagement strategies. Duties included:- Management of a professional staff and a multi-million dollar budget;- Led and supported employee resource groups (ERGs) and local, business-based diversity leaders;- Led equal employment opportunity/affirmative action programs and compliance efforts;- Led the company's D&I and EEO/AA education and awareness efforts;- Created metrics to monitor D&I performance and establish reporting mechanisms;- Developed and nurtured several key external partnerships to drive strategic D&I objectives; - Directed all D&I branding and communications efforts; and- Served as D&I and EEO spokesperson for the company. Accomplishments included the implementation and deployment of a D&I strategy focused on (1) recruiting, developing and retaining diverse talent, (2) tapping into diverse markets to drive business growth, and (3) community engagement. Key outcomes included the creation of D&I management scorecard, diverse talent hiring initiative, and focused development programs for women and people of color. Also deployed robust D&I education programs, launched “Ally Program” and “Count Me in Campaign.” Supported the creation and growth of a multi-cultural marketing effort for the company. Results included increased hiring of diverse talent, increased senior leader engagement, increased employee engagement, and positive growth of new business in diverse markets. During my tenure, the organization was consistently recognized by Working Mother Media, Black Enterprise, Latina Style, and others as a leading company with respect to D&I.

Newark, New Jersey, Us

Joined Prudential as Vice President and Employment Counsel. In this role, job duties included providing legal advice and guidance to management on a variety of employment law issues worldwide. Oversee internal investigations into complaints of inappropriate workplace conduct. Provided guidance and direction to investigators throughout entire process. Partnered with Ethics Office and Human Resources Department to develop, implement, and administer various employment and ethics/code of conduct policies and procedures. Managed administrative agency complaints, litigation, mediations, and attorney demand letters. Developed and delivered training workshops to employees at all levels of the organization. Worked with members of Ethics Office and Employee Relations to develop and deliver "Ethical Decision Making Training" workshops to all employees. Helped employees resolve sensitive issues. Lead project teams on various projects impacting the entire enterprise. Supervised and managed outside counsel.

Gubernatorial appointment to role of chief legal officer for the Commission. Member of Commission’s senior leadership team. Managed the Commission’s legal affairs in the aftermath of an investigation by the New York State Inspector General’s Office. Revamped the Commission’s policies and procedures with respect to employee conduct and internal business operations. Managed all labor and employment matters directly, and managed a team of lawyers on all other legal matters, including the investigation of criminal activity. Represented the Commission at labor negotiations and Senate Hearings. Provided training to employees relating to appropriate workplace conduct and management skills. Resolved internal complaints via informal mediation and formal grievance proceedings.

Charlotte, Nc, Us

Joined Merrill Lynch as Vice President and Employment Counsel. Provided legal advice and guidance to management on variety of employment and labor law issues in the United States and Europe. Managed internal investigations into complaints of inappropriate workplace conduct initiated by members of the company's Employee Relations Department. Provided guidance and direction to investigators throughout entire process. Partnered on a daily basis with Human Resources Department to develop, implement, and administer various employment policies and procedures. Managed administrative agency complaints, litigation, mediations and attorney demand letters. Developed and delivered training workshops to employees at all levels of the organization. Supervised and managed outside counsel. Served as internal ombudsman to assist employees in the resolution of sensitive issues. Appointed to position of Vice President and Division Diversity Manager in June 2008 after the Bank of America acquisition which resulted in the elimination of a majority of the employment law team. As a member of the senior leadership team for the Northeast Region of the Global Wealth Management Division, responsibilities included developing and implementing the diversity and inclusion (D&I) strategy for the Region. Served as a D&I thought leader, chief strategist and consultant to Region's senior leaders. Responsible for ensuring strategic alignment of D&I and business objectives. Built a team of diversity champions across the Region and oversaw the deployment of a host of D&I programs and strategies in an effort to recruit, develop and retain diverse financial advisors. This role was ultimately eliminated by the Bank.

Gubernatorial appointment as lead equal employment opportunity and affirmative action (“EEO/AA”) officer for the State of New Jersey. Job duties included, but were not limited to, revising the State’s statutory policies and procedures relating to EEO/AA to ensure compliance with state and federal EEO laws; overseeing the administration of those policies and procedures across state government; and managing an internal team of professional staff as well as the EEO/AA Officers of each state department, commission and authority (“Appointing Authorities”). Additional duties included providing advice to members of the Governor’s Cabinet on assorted EEO/AA issues, and training Cabinet members and their staff on a variety of employment law and diversity issues. Managed the Investigations Team responsible for conducting internal investigations into highly sensitive matters and investigations on appeal from an Appointing Authority. Developed a statewide diversity initiative to be deployed in each Appointing Authority. Performed other duties as requested by the Governor.

Developed, implemented and administered an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action program for the Department of Labor. Ensured compliance with all EEO laws. Investigated internal complaints of discrimination, and issued findings/recommendations relating thereto. Responded to charges of discrimination filed with administrative agencies. Mediated internal complaints. Conducted EEO training for new employees, supervisors and senior staff. Managed a staff of investigators. Performed other duties as requested by the Commissioner.

Represented employers in all phases of employment litigation arising under state and federal laws. Appeared in state and federal court, as well as before local and administrative agencies. Conducted EEO training for employers, including specialized training for supervisors and human resource professionals on EEO compliant employment practices. Provide legal advice to clients on EEO, FMLA, ADA, ADEA, wage and hour, litigation, and other employment and labor issues. Lectured on various employment law topics, including Title VII, NJLAD, ADA and FMLA compliance. Participated in labor negotiations and arbitration proceedings.

Represented employers and individuals in all phases of litigation arising under state and federal laws. Appeared in state court, as well as before local and administrative agencies. Cases involved complex commercial matters, employment matters, landlord/tenant matters, asylum applicants and white collar crime. General responsibilities included counseling clients, preparing pleadings and briefs, conducting all phases of discovery, arguing motions in state court, and conducting bench trials before the Special Civil Part and the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Prepared articles for the firm’s employment law newsletter.

Analyzed cases on appeal and presented thorough legal analysis to the members of the Court. Reviewed and made written recommendations on civil and criminal petitions for certification, drafted opinions, and prepared comprehensive memoranda on civil and criminal cases pending disposition by the Court.

Global Strategic Leadership Program, Organizational Leadership

Doctor Of Law (J.D.)

B.S., Criminal Justice

A.S., Criminal Justice

High School