2019 Visionary
Tanjia M. Coleman, Ph.D. has more than 18 years of experience working as a senior-level human resources and organization development professional in non-profit and Fortune 100 companies including Microsoft, Starbucks, Tribune Company, Whirlpool, Sears and Motorola.
Currently, she is the chief human resources officer at the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, the oldest and largest women’s organization in the region. As the CHRO, Coleman introduced cultural transformation and talent management initiatives as an instrument of business transformation that is advancing strategy and operational outcomes at the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago.
Prior to this role, Coleman was the senior director, human resources at KinderCare Education where she was responsible for 20,000 employees and 1,100 locations. During her tenure, KinderCare Education went from one of the most disengaged companies to being on Gallup’s list of 37 Great Workplace Award winners.
Coleman earned her Ph.D. in Organization Development in 2016 from Benedictine University. In 2014,she received the Best Student Paper Award from the Academy of Management. She went on to receive the Best Paper Collaboration Award from the Academy of Management in August 2016. Coleman also holds a Master of Science degree from Loyola University and a Bachelor of Science degree from DePaul University along with various leadership and organization development certifications.
Coleman’s titled chapter “Role Modeling as an Alternative to Mentoring for Career Development Outcomes in Organizations” is included in the 2018 volume of Leadership and Role Modeling: Understanding Workplace Dynamics.
Coleman is active in several HR and OD organizations including the Academy of Management, Human Resources Management Association of Chicago, Society of Human Resources Management and the Organization Development Network.
Coleman deeply believes in the importance of philanthropic work and is affiliated with a number of local and national organizations. She has earned several awards throughout her career and is often asked to speak nationally and globally highlighting her expertise in organizational and leadership development.
