Linda Jimenez

CDO

WellPoint, Inc.

LINDA JIMENEZ currently serves as Chief Diversity Officer & Staff Vice President – Diversity Leadership for WellPoint, Inc. In this role, she directs all aspects of WellPoint’s diversity management strategies and programs nationwide including but not limited to providing strategic guidance around talent management and acquisition, multicultural marketing, diversity metrics, and external branding as a national leader in diversity management.

Prior to this role Ms. Jimenez started her own consulting company specializing In the customized design and delivery of training programs, seminars, train-the-trainer and personalized coaching sessions on multiple subjects such as: Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion, Leadership, Team Building, Management Development, Employee Relations, Strategic Planning, Time Management, EEO & Employment Law.

Ms. Jimenez has extensive corporate experience in the field of diversity and human resources. She was Vice President – Diversity and People Development for Accor North America headquartered in Dallas, Texas. With 3, 700 hotels and 415,000 rooms worldwide, Accor is a global leader in the hotel industry. In the U.S. and Canada, Accor represents upscale Sofitel and Novotel Hotels and economy lodging leaders Motel 6, Red Roof Inns and Studio 6. In her role with Accor, Ms. Jimenez was responsible for developing, administering and executing the workforce, workplace and marketplace diversity management strategies for the corporate office, as well as within each Brand operation. In addition, she served as the administrator and coordinator of Accor’s corporate mentoring program. She was the recipient of the 2005 “President’s Award for Excellence” for her accomplishments in diversity and inclusion and human resources.

Ms. Jimenez spent 2 years with Abbott Labs / Ross Products Division earning the coveted 2002 HR Professional of the Year Award for her groundbreaking efforts in establishing Abbott/Ross as a leader in the corporate diversity effort. Ms. Jimenez also spent 16 years with the H-E-B Grocery Company in Texas as Corporate Vice President – Diversity Management. In this role she was responsible for providing the visionary leadership behind the development of H-E-B’s inaugural diversity program. In acknowledgment of her many achievements, H-E-B recognized Ms. Jimenez with the establishment of the “Linda Jimenez Diversity Leadership Award” to provide special recognition to other leaders and champions of diversity.
Ms. Jimenez is a native of San Antonio, Texas and attended the University of Texas @ Austin where she received her BA (with honors). She is also a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law and has spent 20 years specializing in labor and employment law. She is a member of SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management), a former member of the Board of Directors for MFHA (The Multicultural Food Service and Hospitality Alliance), former Co-Chair of the AHLA (American Hotel and Lodging Association) HR Council and a former member of the Board of Directors of the AHLA Multicultural Advisory Committee. She served on the Advisory Board for the Hospitality and Diversity Institute at the University of Houston and on the Diversity Advisory Board for the School of Hospitality Management Penn State University. Ms. Jimenez also serves as a contributing member to the Minorities in Franchising Committee of the International Franchising Association. She is a regulator contributor under the “In My Perspective” column for Profiles in Diversity Journal.