LINDA K.

EDWARDS
1022 Willow Crest Landing, Austell, Georgia 30168
678-281-4155 * lef3a3e2@westpost.net
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STRATEGIST
Sought-after diversity and inclusion strategic professional with extensive backg
round in developing and driving key diversity/inclusion programs that increase p
roductivity and compliance. Published subject matter expert on diversity, race r
elations, and women's workplace issues. Gifted team trainer and manager who comb
ines human resource skills with a proven record of diversity and inclusion strat
egy development.
Diversity / Inclusion Programs * Diversity Training * Employee Resource Group De
velopment /Management
Best Practices * Executive Coaching * Process Development * Strategy Development
* Individual Coaching
Team Development * Trend Analysis * Intervention Strategies * Policies / Procedu
res Development
Process Improvement * Succession Research, Planning, and Benchmarking
Best Practices * Training Curriculum Development * Demographic Analysis * Behavi
oral Interviewing
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
MORTENSON CONSTRUCTION, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Manager of Inclusiveness and EEO - 2008-2010
Oversaw team development of key strategies and best practices for delivery of di
versity / inclusion programs and company policies and procedures. Created and dr
ove daily company policies, including drug and alcohol, diversity, stewardship,
and policy development research efforts. Led training in diversity/inclusion. He
aded internal investigations. Prepared EEO/AA government reports. Teamed with co
mpany leaders nationwide to implement the Infrastructure Renewal program, aligni
ng all company-wide EEO policies and practices.
Key Achievements:
* Ensured government compliance by locating and remediating EEO/AA gaps and iden
tifying key opportunities, impacting 65% of the company's government contract bu
siness.
* Saved the cost of external training by creating in-house Diversity & Inclusion
Train the Trainers sessions.
* Spearheaded development of the company-wide inclusiveness strategy, restructur
ing senior leadership team and putting in place the framework for the first empl
oyee resource group targeting women's workplace diversity issues.
* Improved individual department compliance by choosing departmental diversity c
hampions and training them to increase diversity and inclusion practices.
* Improved complaint resolution by revamping complaint and investigation process
.
PHOENIX RISING CONSULTING, Atlanta, Georgia
Senior Diversity and Inclusion Consultant - 2000-Present
Increased organizational effectiveness through development and oversight of dive
rsity and inclusion structures and strategies. Served as subject matter expert,
teaming with stakeholders to ensure diversity and inclusion objectives are met a
t all organizational levels. Created and drove internal and external relationshi
ps to ensure the success of diversity programs. Coached employees at all levels.
Worked with client companies, including, Sodexo, FDIC, Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation, and Trust for Public Land.
Key Achievements:
* Served as lead developer and trainer, training over 75% of client Sodexo's int
ernal training team.
* Helped client Sodexo win service contracts by teaming with their clients such
as University of Mary Washington, Marquette University, and Union College to cre
ate value-based service extras.
* Helped Sodexo attain #1 status on DiversityInc's Best Company for Diversity po
ll by spearheading program development, including Bridging the Gender Gap and Cr
ucial Conversations training for over 2,500 employees.
* Improved productivity and workplace performance by analyzing diversity systems
/practices, auditing cultures within departments, and developing recruitment and
retention improvement processes.
LINDA K. EDWARDS
678-281-4155 * lef3a3e2@westpost.net

ADDITIONAL HISTORY
Full details available on request
ILLINOIS POWER COMPANY, Decatur, Illinois
Manager, Diversity, EEO/AA - 1999-2000
* Increased women and minority leadership roles 25% by developing key training p
rograms for senior leadership, such as Women in Non-traditional Roles.
* Increased workforce diversity by 15% by overseeing company hiring, termination
, progression, compensation, testing and ADA accommodation practices.
* Prevented 2 potential class action lawsuits by launching discrimination and ha
rassment-focused roundtable discussions, individual coaching sessions, and inter
vention strategies.
Senior Human Resources Consultant - 1986-1999
* Reduced external discrimination/employment law complaints by 90% by mediating
employee issues and overseeing company hiring, termination, compensation, and ot
her policies.
* Successfully avoided lawsuit by teaming with internal legal department to prov
ide subject matter expertise on diversity and inclusion practices.
EDUCATION
Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Change (MSL)
Pfeiffer University, North Carolina
Bachelor of Science in Business Management
University of Illinois
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Co-author, Ten Business Reasons Organizations Fail at Race Relations
Author, untitled women in the workplace book (currently unpublished)