Executive Director
Karen Brown - Corporate Director of Diversity, Rockwell Collins
Karen Brown is Corporate Director of the Office of Diversity for Rockwell Collins. Appointed to the position in August 2006, Karen is responsible for driving diversity and Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action strategies, philosophy, programs and measurement to gain competitive advantage and “win the war for talent.” Some of her accomplishments since she arrived include: greater visibility, buy-in, engagement and accountability for diversity and compliance; envisioning and leading implementation of the diversity scorecard which delivered increased accountability and engagement across the enterprise; heightened awareness and increased understanding of diversity and its linkage to Rockwell Collins business goals by all employees. This was accomplished by overseeing the design of a comprehensive learning strategy that led to the creation of four formal diversity and Affirmative Action courses, as well as a year-long learning events program for all employees. She also spearheaded the creation and execution of a communication/media strategy that led to worldwide name recognition of Rockwell Collins commitment to diversity and inclusion. In addition, she led the Diversity Advisory Council and Employee Network Groups to a more robust structure and leadership and empowered the members to drive change in the organization.
Karen came to Rockwell Collins from Sodexho where she served as director, Workforce Diversity – Corporate Services Market Segment. In this role, she served as key advisor to the market president, his executive team, the diversity council and two network group leadership teams. Karen has a BS degree in Hospitality Management and Dietetics from Kansas State University and an MA degree in Human Resources from Norfolk State University. She sits on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Professional and Technical Diversity Network (PTDN). She also serves as an industry advisor to Virtcom Consulting Inc., a for profit global diversity consulting organization. She is a founder of Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Diversity Community Roundtable and a member of the Newcomer Women’s Group, Conference Board committee, CRICC Women’s Leadership Conference Committee, and the Governor and Lt. Governor’s One Iowa Award Diversity Selection Committee.