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Dr. Nikki Lanier

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Nikki Lanier is the CEO of Harper Slade, an advisory firm focused on helping organizations advance organizational strategies based on the demographic workforce of the future. An experienced leader with over 25 years of career achievements that span Banking, Labor and Employment Law, Collective Bargaining, Human Resources, and State Government. A Private and Public Sector CHRO adept in a multitude of HR disciplines, Nikki is experienced in managing multi-site operations and employing comprehensive approaches that effectively align human capital priorities with the overall organizational strategy. Nikki is a collaborative leader who is skilled in building synergetic teams in multi-cultural and cross-functional environments. An Executive Management Committee veteran with the site and functional leadership responsibilities with the Federal Reserve Bank, Philip Morris USA, Georgia Pacific, ADP, Charter Schools USA, and the country’s largest community college system, Maricopa Community Colleges, Nikki is a dexterous division executive having led teams inseveralf sectors including, manufacturing, government, higher education, consumer goods &, healthcare.

 

Nikki’s voice and perspective on the link between inequity and macroeconomics is a compelling one. Her musings on these topics have been featured on Closing Bell, CNBC, USA Today, Forbes Magazine, Essence Magazine, Ebony Media, Blavity, PBS, and countless web and podcasts. Though based in Kentucky, she has spoken at convenings all over the world in furtherance of this work and hosted Harper Slade launch events in Washington DC, New York Oakland California, Chicago, IL, and South Florida.

 

Nikki earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law, a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Hampton University, and holds a certification in Collective Bargaining from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. She serves on several non-profit and publically traded boards.

Speaking Topics

Human Resources: Transforming HR By Any Means Necessary

Nikki Lanier has been regarded by many as the "HR Transformation Queen". In her talk, she will detail the successful transformation of two public-sector HR departments into strategic business partners. By creating a cross-functional team of internal consultants, promulgating a strong sense of role clarity and guiding principles, aligning stakeholders around common strategic goals, and inviting media and public scrutiny, the two HR departments — The State of Kentucky and Maricopa Community Colleges — have moved from antiquated HR organizations into ones where innovation, transformation, cultural challenge and modernization are key hallmarks. Nikki will discuss the importance of transformation WITHIN HR as the foundation of accelerated transformation THROUGH HR in her engaging presentation entitled: Transforming HR by Any Means Necessary. 

Women And Work: Women Working Work Life Balance And Boundaries

When it comes to work, maybe even life, does "equal" have to mean "same?”  Let me clarify the plight that I see for women: For years we have sought equality in the form of “same treatment,” perhaps to the detriment of the progress we actually want. 


The truth is, we are not the same. Sameness suggests uniformity, it suggests a resigned expectation of identical needs, wants and expectations–in the name of equality. In order to be treated as equals in the workplace and at home, we don’t all need to burn bras to be treated as equals. Nor do we all even need to work outside of our homes to be treated equally. We don’t all need to climb the corporate ladder in the name of equality or have bank accounts separate from our spouses. Chasing the dream of “having it all” doesn’t help us move towards gender equality either. 


We are getting better at this but we have a ways to go, especially in the intentional and unapologetic uplifting of other women. Join me as I explore some positive ways that we can work towards equality, while we explore ways we are unique and the importance of that.

The Economics Of Racial Equity: Date With Demographic Destiny

The browning of the working-class world, by 2045, will require the bold and unprecedented ascension of people of color into the middle class and beyond. This “fix” happens at work. This conundrum transcends the “right thing to do” argument of the past, and requires our demonstrative correction of the lingering impact of difference equating to deficit.


Racism is one of the most significant economic issues we face today and therefore must be addressed in every system, structure, and organization where it thrives

DEI Is The Hardest Work You Will Ever Undertake

DEI is “belief” disrupting work. It first requires a thorough understanding of your already held individual, corporate, and communal beliefs about “different” people. Second, you must choose to presume, for all people who are different from you, the fullness of their humanity. This must include all of the rights and privileges that are attached to that designation, as a matter of fact, on every occasion and in every instance, without condition or caveat. This work is unprecedented. This has never described the human condition, in any setting, to include the workplace.

Dr. Nikki Lanier's Experiences

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Experience Details

Virtual In-Person
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Testimonials

-This was the best seminar in the last two days. FANTASTIC. So many take-aways to many to list. -Speaker is engaging and knowledgeable. Enjoyed her perspective and useful, helpful suggestions. -Fabulous Presentation, Thank you!! -Outstanding, great engagement, intellectual, good pace, engaging conversation -Raw and uncut professional honesty! Amazing presenter who is extremely impactful! -Nikki is the embodiment of what we need in DEI right now! -Very good presentation on DI&E. Solid insights we can utilize in our efforts. -Exceptional presentation skills, good information backed by data. Invite her back please. -A Truth Sayer with a message that is hard to hear in most workplaces. Whew! don't get me started -This was very valuable information that changes the landscape for DEI. I for sure will be doing more research and taking this back to my company! -Nikki was wonderful. She shined light on topics that I wasn't very familiar with. -Really informative, timely and important presentation. I really appreciated Nikki's presentation style and cadence. Thank you for a great session! -Amazing presentation and I hope I will be able to use this in my company. -I very much appreciated how Nikki presented the comparison with Dr. DEI - it was immensely helpful to me in showing the parallel. Also the 5 year strategy makes so much sense. Thank you - excellent presentation! -Nikki was very engaging and interesting. She presented a very strong case for the process of addressing DEI. I learned a lot and feel reinvigorated about the work! Thank you. -Such an engaging and real presentation. Mrs. Lanier spoke specifically to the responsibility that so many HR professionals have been given but are struggling to put in place.

  • What is your favorite quote? "There is no such thing as making a decision for the moment"~ my mom "It's in White America's best interest that Black America thrive" ~ Congressman John Yarmuth
  • Are there any moments that stand out as having a significant impact on your career? So many of the highpoints and stretch assignments in my career came when I believed myself to be ill-equipped to fulfill the duties but was blessed with the opportunity anyway.
  • Outside of your profession do you have any hobbies/interests? Hobbies: 🎥🎢🛩🎻🎼🎤🎭🧘🏾‍♀️🛼💃🏾
  • Who do you look up to as a mentor and why? Jesus, Oprah, Michelle Obama, & most any leader who absolutely lives (or seems to) their belief in fully acknowledging the humanity and value of all people.
  • Is there anything else we should know about you? I love Karaoke...like LOVE it! I really put my all into the karaoke performances. My go-to is Proud Mary by Tina Turner.
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