HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — The Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance (LEDA) has named Gloria Lara as its new executive director.
She follows interim director Christina Arnold, an experienced diversity, equity and inclusion professional who helped transition LEDA before moving to Steelcase, and a job as social Innovation programs and partnerships.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Gloria as LEDA’s new leader,” said Sarah Howard, chair of the LEDA Board of Directors. “She brings a wealth of valuable management experience to the role, and with her impressive background, she is the perfect person to lead the organization into its next chapter.”
Lara has experience in finance, marketing, sales, strategy, and project management from executive positions at IBM, Chrysler Corp., Jervis B. Webb Co., Delphi Corp., United Technologies Automotive, and TRW.
Most recently, Lara was Michigan Career Hub’s executive director, where she focused on launching this new, innovative website platform to match job seekers and employers with reduced recruiter and candidate bias. Prior to that, she served as CEO of the Detroit-area based Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where she promoted economic advancement, growth, and sustainability for its members throughout the state of Michigan by enabling access to business opportunities through strategic initiatives.
As CEO of the Grand Rapids-based Michigan Shore to Shore Girl Scout Council for nearly six years, Lara served as advocate and chief spokesperson for girl scouting in all sectors of the council’s jurisdiction, including to the general public, the corporate community, and government.
“Working with the Lakeshore and western Michigan communities and employers to achieve cultures that are genuinely welcoming and inclusive to all is my focus,” Lara says. “I am honored and thrilled to have been named Executive Director of the Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance.”
She is a member of the Spectrum Health System board of directors and is a member of the board of directors for the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids. The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce honored her as 2013 Hispanic Businessperson of the Year.
