Dannika Kemp Avent, M AI Op, Msid
About Dannika Kemp Avent, M AI Op, Msid
Dannika Kemp Avent is the Associate Director of Learning and Development and DEIB Liaison for Workplace Culture at Yale University, where she oversees strategic learning solutions and leads diversity initiatives. With a background in social work and extensive experience in training and development, she has been instrumental in managing stakeholder relationships and supporting organizational effectiveness.
Current Role at Yale University
Dannika Kemp Avent serves as the Associate Director of Learning and Development and DEIB Liaison for Workplace Culture at Yale University. In this role, she has been responsible for overseeing the strategic design of learning solutions for the university's primary fundraising enterprise and alumni association since 2017. She leads DEI taskforces and is involved in organizing strategic goal setting and accountability for action and execution planning. Her oversight includes the management of the 5-Year Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Strategic Plan, which impacts a staff of over 550 individuals.
Previous Experience at Yale University
Prior to her current position, Dannika Kemp Avent worked at Yale University as the Training & Development Manager for Yale Hospitality from 2011 to 2017. In this capacity, she built climate and evaluative assessments, managed stakeholder relationships, and supported the management of union staff while advising managerial staff. She also assessed analytical tracking as part of her responsibilities, contributing to the overall effectiveness of training and development initiatives within the organization.
Professional Background in Social Work
Before her tenure at Yale University, Dannika Kemp Avent worked as a Social Worker for the State of Connecticut from 2003 to 2008. This five-year role provided her with foundational experience in social services, which she later applied in her various positions in organizational development and employee relations. Additionally, she served as an Employee Relations Specialist II and Leadership Team Member at Foxwoods Resort Casino from 2008 to 2011.
Educational Qualifications
Dannika Kemp Avent holds multiple degrees in relevant fields. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Applied Relations/Communication Sciences/Public Relations from Eastern Connecticut State University between 1997 and 2004. She also completed a Master of Arts in Industrial Organizational Psychology with a focus on Human Resources Management at the University of New Haven from 2008 to 2011. Furthermore, she achieved a Master of Science in Instructional Design for Corporate or Nonprofit Environments from Quinnipiac University from 2019 to 2021.
Specialized Training and Certifications
In addition to her formal education, Dannika Kemp Avent pursued specialized training in various areas. She completed the MSW Program at Springfield College, achieving a GPA of 4.0 in 2008. She also studied Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Walden University in 2009-2010. Her participation in the National Student Exchange Program at North Carolina Central University from 1998 to 2000 further enriched her academic experience.