Founding Sponsors:
Supporting Sponsors:
Shirline Wilson
Executive Director
shirline@employers4equity.org
Shirline Wilson joined Washington Employers for Racial Equity (WERE) as executive director in June 2022. In this role, she is focused on supporting coalition members as they work to foster inclusive workplace culture, advance Black talent in their workforces, break down barriers to supplier diversity, and increase investment in Black-owned businesses.
Shirline came to WERE having spent seven years as the state executive director for Education Reform Now Washington. In that role, she served as a project and coalition leader across multiple organizations, managing relationships with state agencies, legislators, community-based organizations, and civil rights groups. She also served as an architect of the Black Joy Consortium, a collective body of stakeholders who champion improved education systems in Washington state by focusing on the experiences of Black students and families.
Earlier in her career, Shirline served in various leadership and management roles at Intellectual Ventures, Cypress Consulting, and Microsoft. She holds a master’s degree in education policy from the University of Washington and a bachelor’s degree in organizational development from Antioch University.
I am encouraged by the aspirations and goals set out by members of the WERE coalition and their shared desire to realize authentic progress. Collectively, we all must challenge ourselves, and be willing to be uncomfortable, if we are to get to the heart of the work necessary to make progress. It will be challenging work and I am honored to serve this mission at this critical stage.”
– Shirline Wilson
Supplier Diversity Task Force:
Bringing together operations, procurement and supply chain leaders, this task force focuses on removing barriers and identifying opportunities to improve supplier diversity and support investment in Black-owned businesses.
Co-Chairs
Members
Black Talent Development Task Force:
Bringing together human resources and DEI professionals, this task force focuses on supporting WERE member efforts to employ a workforce that reflects Washington’s communities; achieve racial parity in average compensation; and grow and advance Black talent.