YOLANDA G. TURNER, SHRM-SCP
Chelsea
Summary
Results-driven, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) executive with over 15 years of progressive leadership experience. Expertise in developing and executing comprehensive DE&I strategies, driving organizational change, and fostering inclusive workplace cultures. Proven track record in building scalable, data-driven programs that deliver measurable outcomes in alignment with business goals. Adept at influencing cultural change, driving compliance, and advancing DE&I initiatives across large, complex organizations. Recognized for exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and collaborative relationship-building.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Regional Director of Inclusion
Ochsner Health
New Orleans
11.2022 - Current
- Partner with the Chief Diversity Officer to develop and execute a comprehensive DE&I strategy aligned with organizational goals
- Lead the design, implementation, and oversight of enterprise-wide DE&I programs, policies, and initiatives to foster an inclusive workplace culture
- Build and chair regional diversity councils, ensuring alignment with organizational DE&I priorities and promoting a culture of accountability
- Oversee the development of training programs to address unconscious bias, inclusive leadership, and equitable hiring practices, achieving a 95% completion rate across all regional teams
- Establish and monitor DE&I metrics to assess program effectiveness, identify gaps, and measure progress against established benchmarks
- Collaborate with HR and talent acquisition teams to increase diversity in leadership pipelines, resulting in a 10% increase in leadership diversity
- Lead the development and submission of annual DE&I compliance reports, ensuring adherence to all federal, state, and organizational regulatory requirements
- Partner with supplier diversity teams to expand opportunities for minority-owned, veteran-owned, and small disadvantaged businesses, driving a 15% increase in diverse vendor engagement
- Spearheaded the creation of a comprehensive mentorship program, increasing advancement opportunities for underrepresented groups by 20%
- Designed and implemented a regional DE&I dashboard to track progress, identify trends, and share actionable insights with senior leadership
- Successfully decreased employee turnover rates among underrepresented groups by 12% through targeted retention initiatives
Manager, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Encompass Health Corporation
Birmingham
02.2017 - 11.2022
- Directed DE&I strategy and programming for 151 hospitals across the U.S
- And Puerto Rico, impacting 30,000 employees
- Established hospital diversity committees with a 92% adoption rate within 12 months
- Designed and implemented national DE&I training programs, achieving a 95% employee completion rate
- Partnered with talent acquisition to increase leadership diversity from 13% to 17.1% in two years
- Co-facilitated discussions on race, bias, and inclusion with over 500 corporate employees during periods of heightened social unrest
- Developed DE&I collateral (videos, newsletters, brochures) to enhance internal communication and employee engagement
- Improved employee engagement survey DE&I satisfaction index by 6% over four years, outpacing industry norms
- Partnered with supplier diversity to increase diverse spending opportunities, enhancing community and business relationships
Organizational Development Specialist
Encompass Health Corporation
Birmingham
09.2015 - 02.2017
- Led the design and execution of leadership development programs, including onboarding, coaching, and mentorship initiatives
- Created and deployed a business simulation model to enhance leaders’ financial acumen, receiving a 100% favorable rating for impact
- Designed Preceptor programs to build managerial skills, achieving a consistent satisfaction rating of 95%
HRIS Coordinator
Encompass Health Corporation
Birmingham
11.2012 - 09.2014
- Converted over 25,000 employee personnel records to a digital imaging system, improving accessibility and accuracy for end users.
- Researched and resolved system discrepancies reported by HR field directors within 48 hours, maintaining high productivity standards.
- Consistently exceeded departmental productivity requirements, earning monthly performance bonuses.
Independent Contractor
Self-employeed
Birmingham
06.2007 - 11.2012
- Delivered training and consulting services for corporate, educational, and non-profit organizations, leveraging HR and administrative expertise to achieve business objectives.
- Developed and implemented job skills training materials for Holy Family Cristo Rey High School, addressing skill deficiencies and boosting student confidence.
- Coordinated special events for Verizon Wireless call centers, improving employee morale and fostering a positive team environment for 1,500 employees.
HR Generalist / Senior HR Generalist
AT&T (BellSouth)
Birmingham
01.2002 - 01.2006
- Managed HR operations for over 700 employees, including diversity training, employee relations, staffing, and talent development
- Facilitated diversity and sensitivity training for 1,500 employees across multiple business units
- Conducted internal EEO investigations and threat assessments, providing actionable recommendations
- Spearheaded a job evaluation and salary study initiative, resulting in a 5% cost savings
Education
Master of Art (M.A.) - Public and Private Management
Birmingham-Southern College
Birmingham, ALBachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Human Resource Management
Birmingham-Southern College
Birmingham, ALSkills
- Microsoft Office Suite
- DE&I program implementation
- Diversity strategy
- Unconscious bias training
- Leadership development
- Talent acquisition
- Compliance reporting
- Supplier diversity
- Diversity metrics
- Project management
- Change management
- HRIS Systems
- Data Analytics Tools
- Learning Management Systems (LMS)
Affiliations
- National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE), Birmingham Chapter
- American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE)
- CEO Action Healthcare Network
- Advisory Board DEI Executive Cohort
- Birmingham Diversity Manager’s Roundtable Network
Certification
- SHRM-SCP
Timeline
Regional Director of Inclusion
Ochsner Health
11.2022 - Current
Manager, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Encompass Health Corporation
02.2017 - 11.2022
Organizational Development Specialist
Encompass Health Corporation
09.2015 - 02.2017
HRIS Coordinator
Encompass Health Corporation
11.2012 - 09.2014
Independent Contractor
Self-employeed
06.2007 - 11.2012
HR Generalist / Senior HR Generalist
AT&T (BellSouth)
01.2002 - 01.2006
Master of Art (M.A.) - Public and Private Management
Birmingham-Southern College
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Human Resource Management
Birmingham-Southern College
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