Michelle Saunders, Ma Ed
About Michelle Saunders, Ma Ed
Michelle Saunders, Ma Ed, serves as the Global Head of Talent, Culture, and DEI at Brooks Automation. With over 15 years of experience in HR and organizational development, she has held various leadership roles in talent management and development across multiple organizations.
Current Role at Brooks Automation
Michelle Saunders serves as the Global Head of Talent, Culture, and DEI at Brooks Automation since 2023. In this role, she focuses on developing and implementing strategies that enhance talent management and promote a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization. Her leadership aims to align workforce capabilities with organizational goals, ensuring that talent development is a priority.
Previous Experience at IGT
Prior to her current position, Michelle Saunders held multiple roles at IGT. She worked as the Head of Learning Solutions and Global Talent Development from 2018 to 2020, where she was responsible for creating learning strategies that supported global talent initiatives. She later served as the Head of Talent and Inclusion in Global Gaming from 2020 to 2021, focusing on enhancing talent acquisition and inclusion efforts during a challenging period for the industry.
Educational Background
Michelle Saunders has a strong educational foundation in education and leadership. She earned a Master of Arts in Education with a focus on Adult Education from the University of Rhode Island. Additionally, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Johnson & Wales University. She has also completed leadership programs, including a Certificate from the Women's Institute for Leadership and a Certificate in Fostering Inclusion and Diversity from Yale School of Management.
Career in Workforce Development
Michelle has over 15 years of experience in transformational HR and organizational development. Her career includes significant roles in workforce development, such as Director of Workforce Development at AAA Northeast from 2004 to 2014 and Director of Learning and Organizational Effectiveness at Ocean State Job Lot from 2016 to 2018. She has developed strategies to assess talent and skills, contributing to organizational success.
Consultative Approach to Talent Management
Michelle Saunders believes that skills and motivation are essential for workforce success. She acts as a consultant, leader, coach, and partner to individuals and organizations, helping them identify and bridge talent gaps. Her approach emphasizes the importance of assessing skills and motivation to create effective talent development programs.