Nicole Butts is an accomplished Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) executive, strategist, coach, facilitator, and a highly sought-after public speaker. She has served as a chief diversity officer; a director of employee diversity, inclusion, and climate; director of equal employment; and an executive consultant. During her 20-year career, she has built three inaugural DEI offices within institutions, and coached, trained, and counseled senior leadership on diversity, equity, and inclusion matters.
Nicole earned her bachelor’s degree from Howard University and master’s degree from Bowie State University. She is a certified mediator and holds multiple professional certifications.
As a facilitator of learning and challenging cultural dialogues, Nicole creates welcoming and safe spaces for people to engage, explore, and grow. Each person is at a different point in their personal and professional DEI journeys and Nicole meets individuals where they are. She makes difficult conversations easy and facilitates growth dialogue. Her approach to DEI leads clients through personal, professional, and organizational transformations.
Nicole is a member of the American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity as well as the California Diversity Council. She is a regular expert speaker at professional organizations and societies, including the Society for Human Resource Management, and HR.com.