NORRISTOWN, PA – The
Montgomery County Commissioners today announced the appointment of Donna L. Richemond as chief of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Ms. Richemond is the first person to assume this new role with Montgomery County to lead efforts to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for County employees and the residents they serve.
“We welcome Ms. Richemond. Her experience will help further the County’s diversity, equity, and inclusion goals to be a model employer, service provider, and community partner,” said Dr. Valerie A. Arkoosh, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “We are committed to fostering a workplace that rejects bias and discrimination and in which every employee feels welcome and empowered to serve the residents of Montgomery County.”
Ms. Richemond has vast expertise in organizational development, inclusive leadership, change management, leadership development, strategic planning, using data analysis for assessment and accountability, and establishing new initiatives and community collaborative efforts. She is also a speaker and trainer focused on empowering leaders to maximize the full benefit of a diverse workforce by positioning equity, inclusion, and belonging at the center of their organizational priorities.
“I’m glad Montgomery County was able to hire an accomplished professional with Ms. Richemond’s experience," said Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr., Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. "I’m looking forward to her leadership in helping to make sure our County addresses and corrects systemic inequities and disparities to make sure our County government is inclusive and equitable for our employees and the citizens we serve.”
Prior to joining Montgomery County, Ms. Richemond was an independent consultant working with colleges and universities, community based organizations and corporations in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion; leadership development; strategic planning; and enrollment management.
Previously, Ms. Richemond worked as chief officer of the Lynn Campus and Executive Director of the CommUniverCity at Lynn at North Shore Community College (NSCC). In this role, she created partnerships with state and local politicians, corporate leaders, higher education and secondary education leaders and leaders of community-based organizations with the goal of creating educational opportunities for an increasingly diverse community.
Earlier, Ms. Richemond served as vice president for student and enrollment services at NSCC. As the chief enrollment management and student affairs officer, she was responsible for the implementation of integrated strategies to achieve inclusive excellence in all areas of enrollment management and student success.
Before joining NSCC, Ms. Richemond served as associate dean for student affairs and enrollment at Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) in Pottstown. She also served as an ACT 101 counselor, academic advisor, and adjunct faculty at MCCC in Blue Bell.
Ms. Richemond also has experience working with community and corporate groups hosting retreats and presenting seminars on a range of topics, including leadership development, conflict resolution, communicating effectively for change, and a host of diversity related workshops.
Ms. Richemond holds a bachelor’s in English from University of Delaware, a master’s in counseling psychology from Temple University, and a master’s in human development focused on leadership development and conflict resolution from Fielding University. She is currently completing a doctorate in organizational development and change with a concentration in inclusive leadership for social justice from Fielding University.
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