ELIZABETH MERRILL
Minneapolis
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Director Org. Health, Wellbeing and Culture
Minnesota Dept. of Transportation
St. Paul
10.2025 - Current
- Collaborated with leadership to align development strategies with business goals.
- Developed frameworks for performance management and employee feedback processes.
- Conducted workshops to promote teamwork and improve communication across departments.
- Mentored managers on best practices for talent development and succession planning.
- Designed and implemented training programs to enhance employee skills and engagement.
- Recommended adjustments based on changing business needs or external market conditions.
- Provided guidance on best practices in areas such as talent development, performance management, leadership effectiveness, and employee engagement.
- Advised managers on how to handle conflict resolution within teams or departments.
- Facilitated workshops with senior leaders to discuss challenges and develop strategies for achieving their goals.
IDEB Programs Manager
Minnesota Depart. of Transportation
06.2019 - 10.2025
- Strategic partner for the agency in implementing IDEB initiatives centered around learning, development, and organizational advancement
- Trained compliance investigator and mediation facilitator
- Partner on agency-wide policies and projects to ensure equitable foresight is taken for sustainable outcomes
- Work with agency senior leaders (Executive Inclusion Council) to engage in strategic initiatives and measure outcomes to advance IDEB within the agency
- Manage eighteen D&I Committees (36 cochairs) across the state to better navigate and address different cultural environments within MnDOT
- Develop and execute a Peer Inclusion & Equity Coach Program to encourage employee’s participation in cultural competency workplace advancement and trauma informed response to community and worldwide events
- Coordinate the mentorship/sponsorship program to retain and springboard underrepresented employees in the workplace
- Support MnDOT’s nine Employee Resource Groups (ERG’s) in workplace development to encourage their voices be heard and included in vital conversations across the agency
- Received 'Above and Beyond' Award for partnership with district partners
- Received an agency-wide Achievement Award in 2022 for individual performance and dedication towards job duties
- HR-Organizational Health, Wellbeing & Culture
IDEB Training and Development Coordinator
Minnesota Depart. of Transportation
06.2018 - 01.2019
- Create employee-centered training regarding bias, effective allyship, inter-generational workplace dynamics and privilege
- IDI Qualified Administrator – able to facilitate Intercultural Developmental Inventory (IDI) process and utilize the tool as a means for measurement of individuals and groups intercultural competency
- Apply for recognitions and awards to ensure MnDOT is recognized as an IDEB leader within the industry
Department Coordinator
HealthPartners
10.2016 - 05.2018
- Assisted with enterprise-wide investigations and accommodations to maintain compliance with federal regulations and EEOC
- Benchmarked research to support strategy and process of office’s projects
- Supported all Human Resources and Diversity and Inclusion office initiatives
- Member of the cross-department team that organizes HealthPartners’ sponsored diversity and inclusion events such as Pride and TPT OutFront event
- Developed and managed content for the Diversity and Inclusion SharePoint site
- DEI/Human Resources Department
Member Advisor & Marketing Specialist
Gravie
09.2015 - 03.2016
- Worked to develop marketing strategies for outreach to potential clients
- Utilized multiple software applications to develop and track prospects
- Company website blogger
Recruiter & HR Quality Manager
Robert Half International
12.2014 - 09.2015
- Recruited and hired temporary workers for contract positions
- Managed recruits to ensure candidate/client satisfaction
- Maintained daily, weekly, monthly goals to secure business growth
Counselor & Racial Justice Program Coordinator
YWCA of Minneapolis
03.2009 - 12.2014
- Coordinated Racial Justice trainings and events
- Facilitated dialogs around race and privilege
- Partnered with Minneapolis Public Schools to enhance learning opportunities for students struggling in the academic system
- Coordinated and led a prevention program focused on keeping youth out of the Hennepin County Criminal Justice System
Carleton College
Northfield
01.2020 - Current
- Serve on the College and Career Advisory Board for the school to provide support on initiatives that give students an understanding and pathway to achieving excellence in life after college
- Supported Alumni Class of 73’ in development and facilitation of Crucial Conversations event giving alumni the chance to discuss important topics of race and racism related to their experiences at Carleton College
- Developed and facilitated a weekend-long virtual training for college students involved in the campus SEED (Students Engaging in Equitable Dialog) Program that is geared in facilitating crucial conversations for students involved in sports and college clubs. Provided tools, resources and insights into how to mindfully hold space and facilitate uncomfortable discussions around topics of race, racism, equality, etc.
- Developed follow up SEED Program resources and facilitator-training sessions to support the students continued learning and development around how to have crucial campus conversations
- Small private liberal arts college in Minnesota, focused on fostering intellectual curiosity of students
Girls Inc.
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Co-developed a framework and facilitated a two-day Executive Leadership Roundtable training focused on how to lead important and difficult conversations to ensure an inclusive pathway forward for Girls Inc.
- Co-developed follow up resources for continued conversation and inclusionary planning for executive leaders to utilize in their workplaces
- Organization that provides direct service and advocacy to young girls and women across the country
Her Next Play
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Serve on an advisory board of the organization to guide mission and direction
- Mentor Rookie Career Accelerator Program participants to support learning and development for young women looking to enter the workforce
- Facilitated an IDE-centered book club with a focus on reading, 'So you Want to Talk about Race' by Ijeoma Oluo
- Provide IDE expertise to ensure HNP is focused on fostering an inclusive, diverse and equitable environment
- Co-facilitated a workshop inclusion activity at the annual mentorship programming ceremony
- Organization focused on developing the next generation of women leaders through sports
Education
B.A. - Psychology – Concentration in Neurology, Cognitive and Social Psychology
Carleton College
01-2008
Skills
- Development facilitation
- Crucial conversations
- Diversity and equity initiatives
- Policy implementation
- Strategic collaboration
Consulting
- Girls Inc., 2021, 2022, Organization that provides direct service and advocacy to young girls and women across the country, Co-developed a framework and facilitated a two-day Executive Leadership Roundtable training focused on how to lead important and difficult conversations to ensure an inclusive pathway forward for Girls Inc., Co-developed follow up resources for continued conversation and inclusionary planning for executive leaders to utilize in their workplaces
- Her Next Play, 2019, 2022, Organization focused on developing the next generation of women leaders through sports, Serve on an advisory board of the organization to guide mission and direction, Mentor Rookie Career Accelerator Program participants to support learning and development for young women looking to enter the workforce, Facilitated an IDE-centered book club with a focus on reading, 'So you Want to Talk about Race' by Ijeoma Oluo, Provide IDE expertise to ensure HNP is focused on fostering an inclusive, diverse and equitable environment, Co-facilitated a workshop inclusion activity at the annual mentorship programming ceremony
- Carleton College, Northfield, MN, 2020, present, Small private liberal arts college in Minnesota, focused on fostering intellectual curiosity of students, Serve on the College and Career Advisory Board for the school to provide support on initiatives that give students an understanding and pathway to achieving excellence in life after college, Supported Alumni Class of 73’ in development and facilitation of Crucial Conversations event giving alumni the chance to discuss important topics of race and racism related to their experiences at Carleton College, Developed and facilitated a weekend-long virtual training for college students involved in the campus SEED (Students Engaging in Equitable Dialog) Program that is geared in facilitating crucial conversations for students involved in sports and college clubs. Provided tools, resources and insights into how to mindfully hold space and facilitate uncomfortable discussions around topics of race, racism, equality, etc., Developed follow up SEED Program resources and facilitator-training sessions to support the students continued learning and development around how to have crucial campus conversations
Board Membership & Volunteering
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Timeline
Director Org. Health, Wellbeing and Culture
Minnesota Dept. of Transportation
10.2025 - Current
Girls Inc.
01.2021 - 01.2022
Carleton College
01.2020 - Current
IDEB Programs Manager
Minnesota Depart. of Transportation
06.2019 - 10.2025
Her Next Play
01.2019 - 01.2022
IDEB Training and Development Coordinator
Minnesota Depart. of Transportation
06.2018 - 01.2019
Department Coordinator
HealthPartners
10.2016 - 05.2018
Member Advisor & Marketing Specialist
Gravie
09.2015 - 03.2016
Recruiter & HR Quality Manager
Robert Half International
12.2014 - 09.2015
Counselor & Racial Justice Program Coordinator
YWCA of Minneapolis
03.2009 - 12.2014
B.A. - Psychology – Concentration in Neurology, Cognitive and Social Psychology
Carleton College