I am a compassionate leader with a unique background spanning executive roles in DEI, sales leadership, philanthropy, and volunteerism. With over 20 years of experience across global retail and nonprofit sectors, I have cultivated a leadership philosophy that combines strategic vision, operational excellence, and an unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion. My ability to connect the dots across these disciplines drives transformative change in organizations and communities.Accomplishments:Comprehensive DEI Expertise: As the inaugural Chief DEI Officer at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, my team and I led the creation and execution of the organization’s first comprehensive DEI strategy. Over four years, we enhanced Charity Navigator scores by: - Cultivating a culture of belonging that improved employee engagement and retention. - Establishing impactful employee resource groups, amplifying diverse voices, and fostering inclusion. - Designing a DEI learning roadmap to enhance organizational awareness and actionable skills. - Building a social crisis response framework to ensure the organization remained aligned with its core values. This foundation of DEI advocacy was cultivated at Gap Inc., where I served as an Executive Sponsor for the African American Network Group and Color Proud Council while leading the development of ASCEND, a groundbreaking mentorship program that empowered minority leaders. Sales Leadership with a Customer-Centric Lens: In my roles at Athleta, Banana Republic, and Gap brands, I led North American store operations, driving profitable sales growth and building high-performing teams. I consistently delivered results by aligning employee engagement, customer experience, and operational strategies while fostering inclusive workplace cultures. Philanthropic Vision and Leadership: As President of Gap Foundation, I oversaw global grant-making strategies, disaster response, and employee volunteer initiatives, including signature programs like This Way Ahead and P.A.C.E. Under my leadership, Gap Foundation established the company’s first Employee Disaster Relief Fund, ensuring support for employees during COVID-19. Empowering Communities Through Volunteerism: As the founder of Empowering Pathways Giving Circle, I built a network of 60 dedicated members and awarded over $50,000 in grants to small, minority-led nonprofits advancing equity in education, health, and financial inclusion. Additionally, as Board Chair of CollegeSpring, I work to expand access to SAT prep and college readiness programs for underserved youth.