EXECUTIVE IN RESIDENCE

Mr. Rick Harris is president of RJ Harris & Associates. Founded in 2008, the consulting firm specializes in general Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy and Training, Talent Acquisition, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Talent Management services. Mr. Harris has consulted and worked with several Fortune 500 companies and his diverse background enables him to bring expertise, innovation, and passion to tie Human Resources issues into an overall strategic plan with the goal of providing solutions and effectiveness throughout organizations.

A seasoned Human Resource Executive Rick Harris specializes in improving individual and organization performance. He has 32 years of experience in the Human Resources and Manufacturing Operations fields in Fortune 500 companies. His extensive and diverse background, in the corporate world, gives him a realistic grounding in the opportunities, challenges and politics that are present in most companies. His experience partnering and working with professionals from multiple industries gives him a keen understanding of the particular issues, obstacles, and diverse cultures that exist within many organizations.

Known and respected throughout North America, Mr. Harris is a sought after speaker and subject matter expert in Diversity, Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, and Compliance. He is considered an innovative thought leader in the Human Resources field.

Mr. Harris was formerly the Sr. Director Diversity Management & Strategy with Walgreen's. In this role, he was responsible for developing and executing enterprise wide strategy for an organization with 250,000 employees, 8,000 stores, and revenues in excess of $71 billion. He was also responsible for establishing metrics, analytics and scorecards to measure performance, and diversity training and development. In addition, he served as the compliance officer for the organization managing over 500 affirmative action plans. Prior to joining Walgreen's, he served as an executive consultant for Kraft Foods; providing leadership coaching and strategic direction in the areas of Diversity, Inclusion and Affirmative Action Compliance. Preceding this role, Mr. Harris was Senior Director, Corporate Employee Relations for Pactiv Corporation where he led the Employee Relations, Talent Acquisition, and Diversity and Inclusion functions. Prior to this, Rick Harris spent thirteen years at Abbott Laboratories where he performed several strategic Human Resources and Manufacturing roles including Organizational Development, Talent Acquisition, Employee Relations, and Plant Operations Manager.

Rick Harris received his BS degree in Labor & Industrial Relations from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, and was a student athlete on the wrestling team. Rick resides in Gurnee, IL with his wife Lorraine and their daughter Danielle, he remains very involved in local community affairs. For his contributions to his community, Mr. Harris was named "Most Influential African American" of Lake County in 2008, and inducted into the Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2009.