Executive Team – National
Michelle Diaz
Chief Talent & Equity Officer
Michelle Diaz is a senior talent professional specializing in building strong people systems and culture. Before arriving at iMentor, Michelle served as the Chief People Officer at Great Oaks Charter School – Newark (Great Oaks Legacy Charter School), where she spent more than eight years leading HR, Talent, and Equity work. Prior to her time at Great Oaks, Michelle served as a Director of Operations at KIPP NJ, where she helped streamline capital planning and procurement.
Before transitioning to education reform, Michelle had a successful career in engineering management at Verizon Communications in New York City. While at Verizon, she realized her passion for education and mentoring through her work with the Big Brothers Big Sisters – Workplace Mentoring Program. This realization would inspire her decision to leave the corporate world to commit to full-time work to improve outcomes for students in underserved communities.
Michelle resides in NJ, with her husband, children (ages 17, 11, and 9), and pets (cat, dog, and bearded dragon). In her free time, she enjoys travel, photography, fitness, and meditation. She credits her ability to establish rapport and build trusting relationships across lines of difference to her upbringing, where she was immersed in a “melting pot” of Caribbean, African, and American cultures.
