Manuelita Cherizard is the Chief Human Resources Officer at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). She has developed and implemented several successful initiatives to strengthen DEI at ROM. Manuelita led the review and improvement of the recruitment process to ensure a wider pool of candidates are advised of opportunities. She partners with diversity-focused search firms and partners to ensure the candidate pool for leadership roles is deeper and more varied, resulting in over 50% of diverse leadership hires over the last two years. She promoted the refocusing of senior management on diversity, equity, and inclusion issues and opportunities through regular conversations at meetings and other sessions on diversity.
With a multicultural background and lived experience, Manuelita developed the ability to adapt to new, diverse environments, approaches, and teams. She has a curiosity and hunger for learning about people and cultures. Manuelita regularly engages organizational leaders in DEI and developed an HR team committed to DEI practices. She has led a review of HR processes and practices to reduce barriers and bias. One of the outcomes of this review is that manager training on how to ensure an inclusive recruitment process was implemented.
Favorite Quote: Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance. – Verna Myers