Gerard Holder is a diversity/implicit bias strategist who has been in the field for over 9 years. He released his first book in 2008, “Hidden Bias – How Unconscious Attitudes on Diversity Undermine Organizations and What to do About It”. He has enjoyed success as a Corporate Human Resources Manager, Interim Executive Director for the National Association of Minority Contractors and is recognized as a State of Rhode Island diversity ambassador.
Gerard has written Affirmative Action Plans, Sexual Harassment Policies and has lead diversity initiatives and facilitated diversity/hidden bias awareness training in several regions across the United States. He is current employed at the University of Rhode Island, where he continues to educate on implicit bias and the impact on the hiring process.
He has helped the Construction and Healthcare industries move their diversity initiatives beyond race and gender, with a focus on managing unconscious attitudes and behaviors. He has provided sexual harassment prevention training to various cities and towns in Rhode Island. Other clients include Lifespan Hospitals, RI Blood Center, Bryant University – Professional Developmental Center, The City of Providence and the Department of Energy – Bonneville Power Administration.
Gerard feels creating a work environment where all employees are valued can be accomplished through a better understanding of our unconscious and conscious decisions when managing and valuing the differences that individuals bring into the workplace.
Gerard obtained his Juris Doctorate from Southern New England School of Law and his B.S./B.A. from Northern Arizona University.
NACADA/ RI 