Dress for Success Worldwide, the global nonprofit organization designed to empower women to succeed in business by providing a network of support, professional attire and personal development tools, has announced a change in its executive leadership. Michele C. Meyer-Shipp will become the new CEO of the organization, succeeding Joi Gordon.
Meyer-Shipp will begin her new role on Feb. 16. In a statement announcing her appointment, she said: “I have spent my entire career focused on efforts to support women and other underrepresented groups with achieving equal access and opportunities in the workplace. The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a devastating impact on women globally to the tune of $800 billion in lost income and set women back more than a decade in gains achieved in the workplace.”
Meyer-Shipp also added: “I am honored to have the opportunity to lead an organization with a strong track record of providing women with a network of professional development resources, employment services, and suiting services that will set them up for success. This work is more important now than ever before in our lifetime. In collaboration with our longstanding corporate partners and new partners, I hope to seize this pivotal moment in time to help women gain meaningful employment that allows them to thrive in work and life.”
Prior to joining Dress for Success, Meyer-Shipp was employed with Major League Baseball, serving as the sports giant’s Chief People & Culture Officer. In that role, Meyer-Shipp led MLB’s human resources, diversity and inclusion, and office operations functions. She was also responsible for launching new programs and policies to recruit and develop talent, advancing diversity and inclusion efforts, and enhancing workplace culture.
In a statement, Elena Hahn Kiam, Chair of Dress for Success’ Board of Directors, said: “We are thrilled and proud to welcome Michele to this role at a crucial time for both this organization and women in the global workforce. Michele’s talent, experience and vision is equally matched by her deep understanding and expertise in the employment landscape, especially relating to women’s equity. She will be a driving force to Dress for Success’ next phase of growth and ability to serve even more women in need.”
Earlier in her career, Meyer-Shipp also worked as the Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at KPMG LLP (No. 16 on The Fair360, formerly DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list in 2021), as well as serving as Global Chief Diversity Officer for both Prudential Financial and the law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. The Rutgers and Seton Hall graduate spent the first decade of her career in the legal field, practicing employment law in both the private and public sectors and advising clients on how to optimize talent and equitable workplace initiatives.
Reflecting on her goals for the future with Dress for Success, Meyer-Shipp said: “I am honored to be entrusted with this opportunity to build upon their work to make a positive difference for women around the world via our community-led nonprofit initiatives. I cannot be more excited to bring my professional experience, energy, and passion to help complement all of the great work that Dress for Success has implemented over the past 25 years.”
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