VP of People & Culture | Leadership Through Service | Advancing People Strategy & Organizational Excellence

Yvonne is passionate and experienced in Talent Management and is currently working at Elm City Communities, a public housing agency that provides affordable housing and supportive services to low-income families in New Haven, Connecticut. With over five years of leadership in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the education sector, she brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to her current role, where she develops and implements equitable strategies for acquiring, retaining, and developing top talent and promoting a culture of inclusion and belonging. Prior to joining Elm City Communities, Yvonne was the Supervisor of Equity, Inclusion, and Engagement at Stratford Board of Education, where she oversaw the planning and execution of the district's diversity and inclusion plan and policies related to DEI in student achievement, staff development, and community engagement. During her tenure, she increased the applications of BIPOC employees by over 30%, updated and presented the MTR-Diversity & Inclusion Plan and Policy, and secured grant funds to sponsor staff affinity groups. Yvonne holds a BA from Southern Connecticut State University, an MS in Human Resources Management from Sacred Heart University, and DEI certifications from Cornell University and the University of South Florida. She is also the recipient of the Prudence Crandall Education Award from the Greater Bridgeport NAACP.