Johnson working on a new talent strategy for the Greater Grand Rapids region
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH (April 13, 2022): The Right Place Inc. has welcomed TaRita Johnson to the team as its new Senior Vice President of Talent and Diversity.
The Right Place concentrates on three key strategic pillars: People, Place and Prosperity. Johnson was hired to lead the People pillar with a focus on talent in the Greater Grand Rapids region. She is currently working on a strategy to help the businesses and individuals in the region reach their full potential in the talent space.
In addition to creating a strategic plan for talent in the region, TaRita is hosting “Talent Office Hours” both in person and virtually. She will be available to talk through workforce trends and talent strategies. Join her on Fridays between 9-11 a.m. for a 30-minute conversation about your workforce needs. Those who are interested can book a time slot to meet with her here.
“Now more than ever, talent, equity, and inclusion are critical to having a successful business and a thriving economy,” said TaRita Johnson. “In this role, I want to make sure I can provide concrete steps and advice to help everyone in our community with these struggles.”
“TaRita brings with her a wide range of experience in the talent sector,” said Randy Thelen, President, and CEO of The Right Place. “She has a true passion for making a positive impact on the lives of everyone in the Greater Grand Rapids region through her work, as well as creating an equitable economy for all. We’re incredibly lucky to have her on our team.”
Prior to joining The Right Place Johnson served as the Director of the Career Center at Calvin University. She oversaw the center’s career coaching, employer relations, and event and marketing analytics and assessment. She was responsible for cross-divisionally creating and launching a career and life skills program, Calvin LifeWork.
Previous roles include Talent Acquisition Manager at Meijer; Vice President of College and University Relations at KeyBank; adjunct Social Work professor at Calvin; Assistant Director of Admissions at Baldwin Wallace University; Enrollment Management Officer at Pennsylvania State University; Psychiatric Specialty Counselor at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic; and Program Specialist for TRIO’s Educational Talent Search Program at Savannah State University.
Johnson’s education includes a bachelor’s degree in psychology and social work from Miami University and a master’s degree of social work from University of Michigan. She is currently working toward her doctorate in higher education from Azusa Pacific University and is working on her dissertation – Cultural Competence in Executive Women Leadership.
Johnson is also certified in Cultural Intelligence and Unconscious Bias from the Cultural Intelligence Center, DDI Targeted Selection Interviewing System, and is a Korn Ferry Leadership Architect.
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About The Right Place, Inc.
The Right Place, Inc., is a regional nonprofit founded in 1985 with the mission to drive sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity for all in the Greater Grand Rapids Region. The Right Place works to achieve this mission by focusing on three core areas: People, Place, and Prosperity. The Right Place is an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) as designated by The International Economic Development Council. Find out more by visiting www.rightplace.org, liking us on Facebook, and following us on Twitter @TheRightPlaceGR.
