Herman Miller (NASDAQ: HMLR) announced today the appointment of Cheryl Kern to the position of Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). In this position, Kern will establish Herman Miller Group’s DEI strategy globally and connect DEI initiatives to the company’s purpose and values. She will direct initiatives, programs, and communications to infuse DEI throughout Herman Miller’s global operations, including recruitment and talent development strategies, leadership development and planning, supplier diversity, and Equity Team guidance. She will also work with executive leadership to ensure an enterprise focus on equity and will serve as a member of the Herman Miller Executive Diversity & Inclusion Council, chaired by President and CEO, Andi Owen.
Kern most recently was the Corporate Director, Global Diversity & Inclusion at Lockheed Martin, advancing diversity and inclusion as a business and talent imperative. She is an experienced executive with cross-disciplinary expertise in the manufacturing, distribution, and consumer packaged goods industries. Kern has been recognized as a Top Diversity Executive in Corporate America by Black Enterprise, was a Champion of Diversity Award recipient, has been honored with the Diversity Salute Award, and was named one of the 10 Top Global Leaders in Diversity and Inclusion by Diversity Global Magazine. As a thought leader, she has partnered on designing in-country inclusion solutions with stakeholders in the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Australia. Kern is frequently invited to bring voice to complex diversity and inclusion challenges; including her recent perspectives related to COVID-19 and racial inequity issues where Forbes invited her to share her views on the pandemic, and realities faced by various diverse communities.
“Cheryl is a strong and experienced leader in global diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts,” said Owen. “I am excited to have her join the team and help guide the next phase of our DEI journey across Herman Miller Group globally.”
The appointment is the latest step in a series of actions Herman Miller is taking to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in our company, across our industry, and in the communities where we live and work. Other significant actions include signing the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion Pledge, making Election Day a paid day off in the US to empower employees to vote and give back to the community, hosting open-forum employee-led conversations around racial equity, launching the most comprehensive training focused on mitigating bias in the company’s history, redesigning Equity Teams to align directly with our corporate strategy and leadership team, and aligning our corporate giving to directly support charitable organizations that share the same passion for equity and justice. A full list of our DEI actions and commitments can be found at hermanmiller.com/equity.
Press contact: media_relations@hermanmiller.com
About Herman Miller
Herman Miller is a globally recognized leader in design. Since its inception in 1905, the company’s innovative, problem-solving designs and furnishings have inspired the best in people wherever they live, work, learn, heal, and play. In 2018, Herman Miller created Herman Miller Group, a purposefully selected, complementary family of brands that includes Colebrook Bosson Saunders, Design Within Reach, Geiger, HAY, Maars Living Walls, Maharam, naughtone, and Nemschoff. Guided by a shared purpose—design for the good of humankind—Herman Miller Group shapes places that matter for customers while contributing to a more equitable and sustainable future for all. For more information visit www.hermanmiller.com/about-us.
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